Ireland 2012: Blarney Stone, Cork

Monday, September 17 Killarney/Sheepdog demonstration/Blarney Castle visit/Transfer to Cork

After breakfast we stopped at a working sheep farm and meet the farmer Hugh O’Donahue and his 18 month-old border collie dog, Rose at a sheepdog demonstration herding the sheep. The farmer and his dog are very close and this is a one-of-a kind demonstration for GCT people only.

Sheep being herded by dog

Hugh O'Donahue and dog Rose

Then we move on to a town to have a coffee break and chocolate éclairs!! Bob talked with the bread maker and, of course, told him about the food bank he volunteers at. They even have day-old dog bread that they give to people with dogs.

Bob talking with Bakery owner

Note the sign

Next, we transfer to Cork, stopping for a visit to Blarney Castle, where a 129-step staircase leads up a tower to the famed Blarney Stone. According to legend, anyone who manages the backward lean to kiss it receives the "gift of the gab" - a smooth, soothing way with words that at best mean nothing.

Our group with Blarney castle in background

Richie, Steve, Eleanor, Jim, Millie, Luci

Bob, Nancy, Mike, Diane, Phil, Kathleen and Roy

On our way to kiss the stone

Gary & Vicki about to take the walk to kiss the stone

The word "blarney" was coined by Elizabeth I to describe her endless and fruitless discussions with Dermot McCarthy over his surrender of the castle to the Crown. The McCarthys build the present castle with its 85-foot-high keep in 1446, replacing an earlier castle. Though the Blarney Stone gets all the publicity, the castle's tower house and surrounding gardens are superb in their own right. The castle's grounds also include caves, dungeons, and a rock garden or ancient trees and weathered stones.

Eleanor and Mike in front of Castle

Nancy kissing the blarney stone

Rose after kissing the blarney stone

Most of the group climbed the steps to kiss the stone and then later we visited a pub to have the local beer. Back on the bus to the center of Cork, second largest city in Ireland, where we walked into the famous English Market, noted for its wide selection of fresh Irish produce. We then walked to our Hotel - The River Lee. Tonight we all dine together in the hotel.

All the beer taps in the bar. We had Beamers

Bob at the poison garden in the castle.

He is the taster!!

In the castle at Blarney

East Coast gang

West Coast gang

Crepes with chocolate

Tuesday, September 18 2012 Cork/Cobh/ Home-hosted lunch

City of Cobh

This morning we ride to Cobh (pronounced "cove"). This picturesque town long served as the main harbor for the city of Cork, and is dominated by the spire of St. Colman's Cathedral, which contains the largest carillon in Ireland. This morning a local historical named Pat gave us some insight into Cobh's history. We learn that the first yacht club in Ireland is in Cobh - 1720.

First Irish Imigrant to sign the register in Elis Island

Cobh was a major emigration point for families who left the country during the Great Potato Famine, when some two-and-a-half million emigrants departed this part for North America. Here we discover the story of Irish emigration and the era of the great ocean liners, when Cobh was a very active port. This was the last place the Titanic docked before heading across the Atlantic on her tragic journey.

100 year celebration of Titantic leaving Cobh--its last port of call before sailing

We also pay attribute to the victims of the Lusitania at a quayside memorial. In 1915 this ship was sunk off the coast of Cobh by a German submarine, with a loss of 1,196 passengers including 127 Americans. This action helped bring America into World War I. We walked around Cobh accompanied by our local historian with free time to explore.

Home Host Meal

Our Host Geraldine Martin

Demonstrating Hurley

We then learn about contemporary life in Ireland by savoring a traditional meal at a home-hosted lunch with a local family named Margin. Geraldine Martin served us Guinness stew with onion mashed potatoes. She loves the Hurley game and was once a player in her younger days. She gave us a lot of insight into how the game was played.

View from our room on the River Lee

On the way back to Cork, the driver dropped us in town, and we were able to go through the English Market to pick up things for our picnic dinner in the atrium of the 2^nd floor. We picked up wine (various kinds), cheese, crackers, olives, and meringue cookies for sweets. The hotel is a very modern one, and very beautiful.