Our Ireland Adventure Day 5

Happy Birthday Opa. Unfortunately, we did not get a good night’s sleep. We found out that the heat was turned off at night consequently, our cold room and hard beds made it a jagged night. Nevertheless after a hearty breakfast and great conversation with fellow “bed and breakfasters” we were off to explore the County Cork.

Today was a day of long narrow steps. We started with the Blarney Castle. What a gorgeous old homestead. We walked up the steps to the top of the castle and kissed the Blarney stone. Not as easy as it sounds. You have to lay down and bend over backwards to reach the illusive stone. Not to be left behind, both Paul and I succeeded; now we both will be endowed with the gift of the gab.

We also visited the ground’s poison garden which included a marijuana plant. Then we explored the castle caves. Blarney is a very nice national treasure to view and learn about. 

Then we were off to the Bells of Shandon. Driving a car down those impossibly tapered streets was a challenge. St. Anne’s houses the 18th Century Bells and is a beautiful little church. After climbing up the steps you can pick a song and ring the bells yourself. Not as easy as it sounds (again), you have to give quite a tug on the ropes. I played George Harrison’s “Here Comes the Sun.” 

We headed towards Kinsale for our lunch at Fishy Fishy. Everywhere we eat, the cooks take special care to accommodate Paul’s “no meat” diet. They made him a huge salad with a side order of “chips.” I had Fish and Chips. Everything was yummy.

Our shopping turned successful when I found the perfect Aran sweater coat at “Kinsale Woollen Mills.” So much to choose from and the sales assistants were very helpful. 

It was still a bit early to return to the B&B, so off to Fort Charles we drove. I am so glad we did. The estate was fantastic and the weather mild. I think that the sun even peered out for a second or two. Again flooded with history, this relic is the perfect spot for urban hiking. All in all, Paul and I trekked over five miles and worked up quite the appetite.

We eat at Viaduct Inn, a family restaurant. Again the service was enthusiastic and food very good. Tonight is our last night at Ardfield Farmhouse and we would give it four out of five stars. The lack of the final star due mostly to the sparseness of internet availability. So if the internet is not important to you and you can stay under your covers at night, you will probably find Ardfield Farmhouse to be a five star. The farmhouse is centrally located and close to almost everything you might want to see. 

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• Our Ireland Adventure Day 14
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Eight-Month-Old Coast Oak

Oma and Opa were in Ireland, but grandson Coast Oak turned eight months old today.  Mom reports that he is happy that he is becoming a "big kid."

Our Ireland Adventure Day 4

Paul and I arose early and enjoyed the Hawkeye Falconry Experience right in front of our hotel, the Faithlegg House. You can see from the photos below it was an awesome exciting and informative experience of the ancient sport of kings, falconry. John the falconer was personable and wonderful. We interacted with two Harris Hawks, (Dennis the Menace and Rodger Dodger) and a Barn Owl named Riley. I am not sure how we are going to top this.

Since many of our destinations in Ireland do not have an address, I learned how to use longitude and latitude coordinates with the GPS. Our first stop was the world famous Waterford Crystal Factory. This was truly a must-do attraction. The history and exquisiteness of this crystal was astonishing as we were guided through the different craftsman’s work posts. Paul even held a glass football valued at 2,800 euros. It was difficult to leave without making a purchase, but we did it.

Our bed and breakfast for the next two nights, Ardfield Farmhouse was a tad disappointing. Bernadette is a gracious host and the room was small but nice. Unfortunately, the advertised free Wi-Fi was non-existent. Now for me that is a huge problem. My daily work tasks requires me to have internet. After spending an hour walking around the house searching for a connection, it became clear that I would be off-line. The beds were also a bit uncomfortable.

We met a very nice Irish couple at Kirby’s Corner where we had supper. They suggested we go to Blarney Castle and the Bells of Shandon tomorrow. We will follow their advice.

Related Posts: 

• Our Ireland Adventure Day 14
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Our Ireland Adventure Day 3

Off To The Guinness Storehouse And To Pick-Up The Renault Fluence

 

We had to say good bye to the Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin. We highly recommend this lodging for both service and facility. It is also well situated in the city and close to everything you needed.

We visited the Guinness Storehouse before picking up our Hertz Rental car. Our friendly taxi driver took us to the section of Dublin owned primarily by the company. Our driver explained that Guinness even has their own doctors. Since we arrive just after nine in the morning, we were first in line but us tourists shortly filled the establishment.

The Guinness Tour is self-guided which was not as much fun. Nevertheless there are seven floors to explore. I enjoyed the pub station where they taught you how to pour your own glass of Guinness correctly. The bar overlooking the city was also worth the price of admission. 

The procedure at the Hertz car lot was very easy. We were assigned a brand new Renault Fluence with just 15 kms on it. Everything was explained and we were reminded several time to stay on the left side of the road. Paul was told not to worry because he would be pro after the first fifty miles

Well that was not quite how it went and just getting out of Dublin was very scary. Luckily we opted for total coverage!!!

However, our GPS was invaluable and we soon found ourselves on the highway, which was more manageable. We arrived at the Faithlegg House Hotel safe and sound. 

This hotel is a grand old country lodging offering classy en suite rooms and free WiFi, plus an 18-hole golf course. We stayed in the Margaret Power room which was huge and pretty modernized. Margaret was unhappily married and is said to return to her room nightly to search for her jewelry. 

Paul was pretty tired from his stressful day behind the wheel, so I went on a walk by myself around the estate. The receptionist recommended St.Ita’s walk. It was beautiful and featured both an old church with graveyard and St. Ita’s well.

Of course, I found myself lost and had to inquire as to where the hotel was. A super nice Irish man walking his dog assisted me. Richie not only gave me directions back to Faithlegg, he walked me back to the entrance; above and beyond.

We tried to stay up for the live music which started at 10:00 p.m., but after a very nice dinner, Paul and I both fell fast asleep. Not sure, but I think I heard Margaret Power’s around 2:00 a.m. ghost!!!

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