Just for the Sheep of it

One of my favorite things from my Irish Adventure was seeing sheep everywhere, I don't know why this tickled me so much, but I  just loved seeing the sheep dot the landscape.  On our journey we had a chance to go to a sheep farm and feed baby lambs!  We had a great time there.  We saw sheep along the way driving, hiking, walking - they are everywhere!  Needless to say, I ended up with a lot of sheep photos.  So here for your enjoyment - the Sheep of Ireland!

Who are you looking at?

Irish Adventure - Last day, Blarney to Dublin

Day 12

Blarney Castle as seen from the Gardens

We awoke this morning to a fabulous breakfast at Gougan Barra Hotel.  I wished that I could stay a few days in this beautiful spot, but alas, it was time to move on, heading back to Dublin via Blarney Castle & Gardens.

We arrived at Blarney around 9 am, which is the beginning of the day at Blarney.   Nick expertly guided us through the crowd that was already building up at the entrance.  We went through a group ticket line (Nick already had our tickets) and on to the grounds very quickly.  Anne, Kelsey & I decided to stick together at this stop because we wanted to kiss the Blarney stone and still have time to walk the grounds and gardens.  We made a beeline for the entrance to the Castle and began the climb to the top where the Blarney stone is located.  Up & up & up we went via small winding stairs. Along the way, we took some snaps.

Looking out the window on the way up

Its very windy on the Top of Blarney Castle !

This is how you kiss the Blarney Stone, you go upside down,
The young man will hold you so you don't fall

View from out one of the Castle windows 

 Blarney was built by Cormac MacCarthey, King of Munsterin 1446. It is the tower house of this residence that is known as Blarney Castle.  The stone has a long history.  It went from Ireland to Scotland, split in half, then back to Ireland.  A witch, told MacCarthy that it had magical powers.
Thus, this kissing tradition.

Banquet Hall in the Castle

It didn't take very long to get to the top, kiss the stone, explore a bit and get back out on the grounds because we got in line quickly.  This was the best way to see as much as possible at this location with limited time.  Everyone wants to kiss the stone, so there is always a line.  But the Blarney stone is just a small part of this site.  There are 60 acres of parklands which include gardens, arboretums & waterways.  You could easily spend a whole day here.

After kissing the Blarney Stone, we headed out to the gardens, which are extensive!  There is the Rock Close & Water Gardens, the Poison Garden, Fern Garden & the Arboretums.  There is also a Woodland & Riverside Walk and a Lake.  No way could we see all this in just a couple hours we had left.  We pick the Rock Close & Water Garden to start.  The Rock Close is a mystical place, said to be on the site of an ancient druidic settlement.  The trail led us through leafy canopy of yew & oak trees.  The path leads you to the water garden.  You will find plenty to be amazed at here and fun areas to explore like the wishing steps and the witches stone.

All these pictures are from walking in the Rock Close & Water Garden.  Quite lovely, I wish we had more time here.  But alas, we had to start the trek back to Dublin - so we grabbed some sandwiches and got back to our van for the drive to Dublin.

I should also mention that there is a giant shop here - purportedly the largest Irish gift shop in the country, it was huge!  They have everything from key chains & t-shirts to Waterford Crystal.  Pretty much any thing you've waited to buy, you can by here.  No Dingle Crystal though.

The Rock of Cashel

To break up the drive back to Dublin, we had one more stop before the end of our journey.  Cashel.  The Rock of Cashel, one of Irelands most historic sites, was the seat of the kings of Munster from the 4th Century until 1101, when it was gifted to the Church.

view looking out of the castle toward the grave yard

Cashel was lovely & historic.  I enjoyed walking through the cemetery and looking at the headstones which go back centuries. After walking through the Rock of Cashel and it's grounds, it was time to get back on the road and in to Dublin.  We had an amazing 12 days together and when it was time to part company, I was feeling a bit sad that our trip was coming to an end.  I feel I was so lucky to be with this nice group of people for 12 days on our Great Big Irish Adventure. Everyone got along so wonderfully and everyone was thrilled with our trip.  Nick was a fantastic guide, so personable, hospitable and kind.  I really could not have asked for more on my first ever organized small group tour.  I highly recommend Vagabond if you are looking to experience Ireland in a most special & spectacular way!

Map of Ireland the black line is everywhere we drove on this amazing journey

  

Irish Adventure Kenmare to Gougane Barra Hotel

Day 11

We left beautiful, quaint Kenmare in route to Gougane Barra.  First stop was in Tourist, County Kerry, to visit at the Uragh Stone Circle that was out in the middle of no where really.  The land was owned by a local sheep farmer, who had a box on a fence where you could put a few coins to help maintain the site.  We hiked up to the site and it was very calm and mystical feeling.  There was a slight mist this morning, but we really weren't bothered.  Nick told us what is known about Stone Circle's and then walked us up a hill so we could get a view of the valley.  Even on a misty morning, Ireland is beautiful & enchanting.    I brought up the rear of the group and stopped at the stone circle for a short meditation, before catching up with our group.

Farm house in the distance

waterfall on the hill behind the Stone Circle 

Misty Morn' in front of the Stone Circle

Nick talks about the Circle

View from the hill above the Stone Circle

We hit the road towards the Beara Peninsula to Gougane Beara.  The Beara Peninsula is the forgotten Peninsula as Nick told us.  The roads are narrow so tour buses do not go here. The landscape is unspoiled and tranquil, very picturesque.  We stopped frequently to take pictures.  About half way through the morning  we stopped in Lauragh at a small cafe/post office (Pedals & Boots Cafe), for refreshments and bathrooms.

Pedals & Boots Cafe

After another short ride Nick stopped the van and we all got out, seemingly in the middle of no where.  We were about to experience the Healy Pass.  Nick said the best way to see the beauty of the pass & valley was to walk up the road, a hill that curved and we could not see what was on the other side.  Nick then got in the van and said he would meet us on the other side.  We all started our little trek up the road and came around the curve to see a magnificent valley below.  As usual, Nick was right, jaw dropping beauty!

View looking back the way we came

Road where Nick dropped us off

Pano view looking back the road we came up before Nick dropped us off

View as  we came over the hill and saw Healy Pass

As we drove through the pass, lots of sheep!

The Healy Pass is a winding mountain road between Adrigole in County Cork and Lauragh in County Kerry, that cuts through the high Caha Mountains.  The Pass is 334 meters above sea level and passes between two of the highest peaks of the Caha range. The Healy Pass was built during the famine times in the year 1847 to help prevent starvation (sort of public works project, but they paid the working 'starvation' wages - almost nothing in otherwords).  The Pass is named after Timothy Michael Healy who was born in County Cork.  He was the first Governor General of Ireland and was well aware of the need for a proper road between the Kerry side and the Cork side of the Beara Peninsula.  He died in March of 1931 and in April the road was dedicated to him.

As we drove along coming out of the Healy Pass, Nick spotted a bog, that had peat harvested and stacked.  He took the opportunity to stop and tell us about bogs & the peat that they harvest to burn in fireplaces to heat homes.   A bog is a wetland that accumulates peat, a deposit of dead plant materials.  Once it is scraped up of the ground, in to little 'logs' they stack it and let it dry, once dry the peat becomes fuel for fires.

Nick explains the science of Bogs & Peat

Field of Peat drying out

Kelsey doing her best 'Vana' with Peat

Our next stop was at Dunboy Forest Recreation area in Castletownbere, where we did a lovely hike, followed by lunch in the town.  After lunch, a short stop at Carriganass Castle, which is the restored ruins of a castle in the heart of County Cork.  It is a very picturesque place for a nice stroll.

pretty flowers along the path

do you see the sunshine?

There was a pretty lake along our walk and as I walked down to the waters edge, I looked down to pick up a rock (I pick up a rock from all my hikes) and I see someone has painted rocks with fish, sunshines, shells, jellyfish, etc and just sprinkled them amongst the rocks. Interesting!

The view from my window at Gougane Barra Hotel

As the end of the day approached we arrived at the Gougane Barra Hotel.  This might be my favorite hotel of the trip.  It is situated in a valley, next to a lake.  Quiet and isolated in the best way.   Nick pointed out that there was a lovely walk behind the hotel, so after dropping my bag in the room, I went out for a stroll.  So peaceful and beautiful.

my room with a view

Baby Lamb outside on the hotel front lawn

babbling brook on my walk behind the hotel 

Just munching away on the walking path

Came access this guy on my walk - looked at me like ' what are you doing here?'

The lake in front of the hotel