Hi then!
After a week without tours, I chose to go to the “Blarney Castle and Cork city” one!
Amazing!!
We left Dublin from Suffolk Street, as usual, at 7 a.m. with our fun-loving and very knowledgeable tour guide Mac!
Quick stop for coffee on the go and at 10.00 we arrived in Cashel, Tipperay, to visit its Rock of Cashel.
It is the most visited Heritage site of the country and one of Ireland’s 7 Wonders!!
And I can understand why…It is so big and so well kept, full of history!
According to local mythology, the Rock of Cashel originated in the Devil’s Bit, a mountain 20 miles (30 km) north of Cashel when St. Patrick banished Satan from a cave, resulting in the Rock’s landing in Cashel.
Cashel is reputed to be the site of the conversion of the King of Munster by St. Patrick in the 5th century, as well.
We had an hour to explore the Hall of Vicars, Cormack’s Chapel, Celtic Cathedral, Round Tower and the surrounding grounds filled with ancient high crosses!
And there is also one of Ireland’s oldest Romanesque wall paintings inside the world-famous historical landmark!
This is a site of huge historical importance as it was the seat of the King of Munster and this location was a fortress which dates back before the Anglo-Norman conquerors reigned over the land.
And, in my opinion, it was the best site of the tour!
But we had to live to join Blarney Castle…
At midday we were there with two hours free time to explore..
GREAT PLACE!!
It is known for its famous Blarney Stone, the Stone of Eloquence! (on the top of the tower)
Kiss the stone and receive the “gift of the gab”.
But the Blarney manor its self is worth exploring as are its fantastic grounds and woodland walks and wonderful gardens!!
Maybe that is why it was full of visitors…lots of people!
Before entering there we (me and Alexis and Cathlel,the other two interns at Extreme Ireland) entered in a such small cave just down the castle, feeling like Indiana Jones!!
So funny!!
So went inside the castle, so big!! Lots of steps..
We joined finally the store and kissed it! Even if I think don’t need it! I speak a lot!!!!
and it was not so easy..you have to lay in the ground with a man helping you to grab to the wall…so strange!
One of the strangest things I have ever seen in my life! 🙂
Irish people don’t stop t surprise me!
So we had a walk through the gardens and lunch in a bar right there, with lots of crows.
Then at 2 p.m Mac drove us to the famous city of Cork!
The second largest city of Ireland and the 2005 European Capital of Culture, it has one of the world’s largest natural harbours!
It is something little a little Dublin…with its river, River Lee, as well!
Mac guided us St. Anne’s Church, where you can ring the bells of Shandon for a small fee. 🙂
Then I had a walk with Alexis through the city centre to explore and take some pictures and have a coffee in a nice bar! It is so good to be a tourist!! 😉
I really love to be an Extreme Ireland intern! It is such a great opportunity to discover Ireland’s wonders..and for free as well!! It was another amazing day with them and the girls!
I went to bed really happy yesterday!
You should try!
