The day started with our comfortable bus and excellent driver, Chris, driving out of Dublin, with Patrick pointing out some of the sights and explaining the plans for the day as we drove along. Some other Dublin sights pointed out by Patrick as we drove through the city on the bus included the tall, modern spire, St. Patrick’s Cathedral where Jonathan Swift is buried, and Christ’s Church Cathedral (Anglican). Because violence was forbidden in churches and cathedrals, they were considered places of refuge. At one point, two warring leaders shook hands through a hole in the wall.
Historic sketch of area given by Patrick: (probably still out of order)
Celts (Druids) back to year 0 – early Celtic cross
Druids – Pagan, Anglo-Saxon Romans before Christianity
St. Augustine (Christian) monks Celtic Christians
Ex-Vikings – marauders 9th Century – settled down – rampantly pagan
Normans = castle builders
Catholic church said Vikings destroying churches were God’s punishment
French defeated Vikings – made Vikings Christian – Spoke French – elite
Crusades – 1066
1921 north & south left Great Britain
Patrick’s miscellaneous facts:
Ireland – agriculture – different languages – Irish, Gaelic, north = French
O’_____ = son of – Mac also means son of
Dublin 1 million population; Ireland 4 million; Kilarney 15,000
Euro’s in Ireland – Pounds in England – Can change Euros to British # in London
Ireland benefits from European Union – building roads – encourages tourists
Ireland fastest growing economy – lower corporation tax – high productivity
It seemed strange to be driving on the wrong side of the road and passing on the “wrong” side. When walking, we tend to look in the wrong direction first when crossing a street.
Unfortunately the air conditioner charge did not hold and afternoons on the bus (from day 1 to day 6 when we returned to Dublin) were unpleasantly hot. It was great that it didn’t rain the whole time, but the heat was a problem while we rode the bus. We would get back to our hotel and take a shower right away each day.
Blarney Woolen Mills:
We visited the Blarney Woolen Mills. People in this area did not suffer the worst effects of the famine, due to their employment in the Woolen Mills. A fire destroyed the mills in 1869; The mill was rebuilt by 1871 and had a labor force of 222. In 1976, Chris Kelleher, a mill worker, bought the mill and transformed it into what may be the largest quality craft shop in Ireland.
As usual, we didn’t buy anything in the craft shop, but it displays lovely woolens and quality glassware, among many types of quality items, and it was interesting to browse and see some of the things purchased by our group.
Blarney Castle and Blarney Stone
Just outside the city of Cork, the 1446 Blarney Castle contains the legendary Blarney Stone, which is said to give the “gift of gab” (termed eloquence – skill at flattery!) About half of our group stood in line as they worked their way up the multitude of steps, waiting for their turn to lay on their backs upside down to kiss the Blarney stone – and to enjoy the view from the top of the 90′ tower. “There is a stone there, that whoever kisses, Oh! He never misses to grow eloquent.” Verle and I, Patrick, and others, enjoyed strolling through the ruins of the third castle erected on this site and through the grounds including the first Poison Garden that we remember visiting, which contains many plants that are poisonous, including the rhubarb – whose leaves we already knew are poisonous. We strolled through flower beds and woodlands and rested in the stable yard/gift area with other tour members. Unfortunately, we rested a little too long, and found that the way back was a bit obscure and farther than we’d realized – everyone was waiting for us, and we are afraid that we’ve gained a bad reputation so early in our tour! Added to that is the fact that we’ve been rather impatient on some earlier tours with other people who seem to be late all the time!
We spent the next two nights at The Brehon Hotel (room 412) in the lovely town of Killarney. We ate supper in the hotel cafe with Bill and Beth Henry from Ohio. We are starting to meet and know our tour members. Several from our group took taxis to the town center for their supper. Hotel: 011-353-30700, www.thebrehon.com