Blarney

While in Cork area we at at Blair's Inn twice. Amazing Corned Beef and Cabbage. We kept wondering what this fancy building was until grandpa found it on a map- Insane Asylum (converted to apartments now). They lived well back then!
 
Views of the castle, and what it looks like from underneath the kissing stone.

116 steps up Blarney castle for the chance to lean over backwards and kiss a grubby rock. It was well worth it as Lana and I now have the gift of eloquence. We will know how to word everything in a flattering manner.

Here we are kissing the Blarney stone (after all that effort getting up there). Amy was too stubborn to try and Emily too small, although I convinced her kissing another stone on top the castle would have the same effect. She was quite happy we found an opening- rain gutter- that she could even lay down and go through the motions. (We'd never let her kiss the real one anyway, as the last thing we need is for her to become more verbose).

What I didn't remember is that my dad is a bit claustrophobic (the tiny winding tower going up wasn't much fun), and slightly afraid of heights- so standing on top the castle with a stiff breeze blowing wasn't fabulous either. They both gave it a go with Grandma looking good and Grandpa- well at least he lay down to try. :-)

The Blarney House was fabulous inside- but no pictures as people still live there. It had this great curved skylight that spanned the entire atrium and bathed all levels of the home with natural light.

We ended with a trip through the Druid garden. All sorts of Druid stone circles and caves as well as other pretty garden sights too. Also a Dolmen - which we learned is an ancient burial site (Stonehenge-like). Supposedly if you walk up these steps while holding your breath your wish will come true within the next year.

Supposedly witches and fairies live in these ancient Druid gardens too.