Day 8 Blarney to Killarney

Let me know if my post today is more eloquent than before...I have officially kissed the Blarney Stone! Actually had to kiss it twice because my "helper" got his arm in the way the first time, messing up the photo op, so, another kiss for me! Yep! That is me, bending upside down and backwards...I do believe I am sounding more eloquent already! What a climb it was to the stone....they say 100 steps. Wasn't the steps that bothered me so much, but you are going up an ENCLOSED, narrow, stone circular staircase.  I do mean enclosed! The only thing that kept me going was the young girl that was afraid of heights in front of me! I had to be the brave older woman and show her what real women are made of!
The castle was built 1446 by Cormac MacCarthy. The word "blarney" was created by Queen Elizabeth 1 describing MacCarthy's ability to "fast" talk his way out of a difficult situation!
"There is a stone there,
That whoever kisses,
Oh! he never misses
To grow eloquent"
Actually the castle was very interesting and I do wish we could have spent more time there.

After our visit to Blarney, we drove through the country to Killarney. Beautiful drive. Everyone has flowers planted everywhere! There are these red leafed trees that are gorgeous! We keep asking what they are called, and in true Irish fashion we keep getting different answers! Another interesting tree we see here and there is from Chili, something called a Monkey Tail tree. Finally got a picture today. They are a sort of pine tree, but very interesting. One guide told us they were endangered, not sure about the truth in that!


The weather has been awesome! The Irish are so thrilled with it too. We visited with a gentleman today that told us that this is the first time in 3 years they have had such good weather! They almost never have more than 3 days with no rain. Now, it has not rained where we have been for a week! It is geting a bit cooler now, coats and scarfs for sure!
Can't post much today from the Emerald Isle. Wifi is only available down in the lobby, and it is getting chilly down here!
We are out and about tonight, looking for some good Irish music! I am sure we won't have a bit of trouble finding that. These people do love their music (I am sure that is where the Scott's get it, Mom!) , their parks, their jokes, and their heritage! I am convinced that Ireland is a great place to live--the beautiful Emerald Isle.
Tomorrow we move on to the Ring of Kerry. The sites there are supposed to be completely spectacular! I am very much looking forward to that... By the Way, the driving and navigating is much better today. Thank goodness for that!  Only 5 days left in Ireland...then winging it home! ....d