Here's some Irish sayings that we heard today:
"Drown the shamrock" - as in,drink (err.. a lot) at a pub.
"Chasing the clouds" - means it will be partly cloudy.
"Take a nip!" - means run an errand.
"Redundits" - refers to all those who have been laid off from jobs.
This morning we were supposed to visit the famous Waterford Crystal factory - but do to their poor economy (it's in a recession - everyone will tell you that!), their staff was organizing a sit-in on the factory floor to try to keep the owners from selling the Waterford business. Needless to say, visitors weren't welcomed today. So our wonderful tour guide, Tony, arranged for us to get a walking tour of Waterford with Jack Burtchaell (Jack is known all over Ireland for having the 'gift of gab' and bringing every nook and cranny of Waterford alive, effortlessly squeezing in 1000 years of history into one hour with humor and audience participation). 
(These images were artwork, found in an archeologial dig, that were blown up into murals on the sides of buildings - they were postcard-sized to begin with.)
(I love the old stonework on all the old buildings - beautiful colorations!)
(I had to take a picture of this sign... I was missing my dog, Bailey!)
(Jack Burtchaell telling a story - he has quite the facial expressions!)
I'm sure the Waterford Crystal tour would have been great - but I really enjoyed this tour of the town (and Tony says, "if you've seen glass blown - it's pretty much the same everywhere..." Ha ha ha!)! Plenty to learn about in Ireland's oldest town - amazingly, with lots of Viking history!
After our tour, it was time to hop in the bus and begin our drive through the scenic south of Ireland to the Blarney Castle.
Even on a little bit of a dreary morning - the scenery was beautiful! After a while, we stopped in the town of Youghal (pronounced "Ya'all" for all us Americans) for a "comfort rest" - a bathroom break... But alas! You have to PAY to use the public bathrooms, or go in a pub and buy something before you use them! Goodness... Anyway, the town of Youghal was one the places the old Moby Dick movie was filmed. Interesting.
I'm sure the Waterford Crystal tour would have been great - but I really enjoyed this tour of the town (and Tony says, "if you've seen glass blown - it's pretty much the same everywhere..." Ha ha ha!)! Plenty to learn about in Ireland's oldest town - amazingly, with lots of Viking history!
After our tour, it was time to hop in the bus and begin our drive through the scenic south of Ireland to the Blarney Castle.
Even on a little bit of a dreary morning - the scenery was beautiful! After a while, we stopped in the town of Youghal (pronounced "Ya'all" for all us Americans) for a "comfort rest" - a bathroom break... But alas! You have to PAY to use the public bathrooms, or go in a pub and buy something before you use them! Goodness... Anyway, the town of Youghal was one the places the old Moby Dick movie was filmed. Interesting.(Just a funny picture - all the boats tied up while the tide was out... Kinda fun!)
(This is Moby Dick's - apparently it's in the movie... I haven't seen it yet...)
Next, onto Blarney - for some kissing of the stone! Since it was the off season, we were the only bus load of people at the Blarney Castle - convenient, since we only had an hour and a half to kiss the stone and shop at the Blarney Woolen Mills. So, off the bus and through the village and the park to the castle - and what a castle! So large and looming above the beautiful park!
Next, onto Blarney - for some kissing of the stone! Since it was the off season, we were the only bus load of people at the Blarney Castle - convenient, since we only had an hour and a half to kiss the stone and shop at the Blarney Woolen Mills. So, off the bus and through the village and the park to the castle - and what a castle! So large and looming above the beautiful park!
(Nancy and Maria with us.)
We climbed the insanely narrow spiral staircases, stopping at the different levels to peek in old, tiny rooms.
We climbed the insanely narrow spiral staircases, stopping at the different levels to peek in old, tiny rooms.
(This is the inside of the castle - the top level, with the arched windows, was the chapel.)
We made it to the top - and what a view of Blarney Village!
And yes - we kissed the stone (our lovely guide Tony told us, "you will now be able to speak with such eloquence that you can tell someone to go to Hell - and they will want to go!")! 
And no... There is no possible way that locals can get to the stone to pee on it. Even the caretakers told us that that is an American tale. Ha ha ha. (I'm preaching, at church, four times in the next few months - we'll see if the stone worked!)
We made it to the top - and what a view of Blarney Village!
And yes - we kissed the stone (our lovely guide Tony told us, "you will now be able to speak with such eloquence that you can tell someone to go to Hell - and they will want to go!")! And no... There is no possible way that locals can get to the stone to pee on it. Even the caretakers told us that that is an American tale. Ha ha ha. (I'm preaching, at church, four times in the next few months - we'll see if the stone worked!)(Annie, Mom-in-law, me, and Mike.)
Blarney Woolen Mills is the biggest store to buy Irish gifts in - clothes, pottery, crystal, lace, linen, scarves, hats, jewelry, etc - and they had the best prices we found. Great place for Christmas presents...
After Blarney we began the drive to Killarney.
Blarney Woolen Mills is the biggest store to buy Irish gifts in - clothes, pottery, crystal, lace, linen, scarves, hats, jewelry, etc - and they had the best prices we found. Great place for Christmas presents...
After Blarney we began the drive to Killarney.
(Feeling goofy on the bus... But loving my new hat!)
The town of Killarney is quaint and full of life. We stayed at the Dromhall Hotel - with beautiful rooms and an easy walk into town.
We got checked into the hotel, and had a little time to freshen up and relax before we set off for dinner. (Did I mention that lunch is usually around 1 or 2pm, and dinner is at 7:30pm - the pubs don't start music til 10 or 10:30pm?)
The town of Killarney is quaint and full of life. We stayed at the Dromhall Hotel - with beautiful rooms and an easy walk into town.
We got checked into the hotel, and had a little time to freshen up and relax before we set off for dinner. (Did I mention that lunch is usually around 1 or 2pm, and dinner is at 7:30pm - the pubs don't start music til 10 or 10:30pm?)Tony recommended The Laurels for dinner - another quirky, hole-in-the-wall pub in town.
We gave it a try - and were SO glad we did! Our waiter was a little on the crabby side (you don't tip in pubs, so they don't feel the need to impress you) - but I liked him anyway. I managed to make him smile before we left... Mike and I had mussels in a coconut lime curry sauce - the BEST I have ever tried! (And yes, Em and Karlin - even better than Point Brugge - you must come to Ireland!) That was our appetizer, we then shared some potato boxty (basically, potato cakes with chicken and bacon mixed in, fried, and served with a cream of mushroom sauce on top) - Delish! I would totally recommend this place to anyone. (Oh! And I finally got my Murphy's Ale on tap - cold and smooth, just how I like it!)
We gave it a try - and were SO glad we did! Our waiter was a little on the crabby side (you don't tip in pubs, so they don't feel the need to impress you) - but I liked him anyway. I managed to make him smile before we left... Mike and I had mussels in a coconut lime curry sauce - the BEST I have ever tried! (And yes, Em and Karlin - even better than Point Brugge - you must come to Ireland!) That was our appetizer, we then shared some potato boxty (basically, potato cakes with chicken and bacon mixed in, fried, and served with a cream of mushroom sauce on top) - Delish! I would totally recommend this place to anyone. (Oh! And I finally got my Murphy's Ale on tap - cold and smooth, just how I like it!)(Mike's aunt, Annie, trying on my new hat at the Laurel's Pub.)
After dinner, we headed down the street to Danny Mann Pub. We met up with several other people from our trip and the evening turned a bit crazy!
The singer was great - performing old and new Irish songs with is guitar and bodhran. He had a beautiful, full voice... And while listening to his song, I was tapped on the shoulder and told it was time for an "Diver Bomb" (known in the States as a "Irish Car Bomb" - a drink that involved a half pint of Guinness, and a shot of Jameson whiskey mixed with Bailey's Irish cream - drop the shot in the beer and you get a crazy foamy mess if you don't chug it quickly!). 
Chris, Nancy, Maria, Mike, and I shared in the silliness of doing these drinks - with a whole audience watching!
The bartenders were laughing at us and shaking their heads... 
After dinner, we headed down the street to Danny Mann Pub. We met up with several other people from our trip and the evening turned a bit crazy!
The singer was great - performing old and new Irish songs with is guitar and bodhran. He had a beautiful, full voice... And while listening to his song, I was tapped on the shoulder and told it was time for an "Diver Bomb" (known in the States as a "Irish Car Bomb" - a drink that involved a half pint of Guinness, and a shot of Jameson whiskey mixed with Bailey's Irish cream - drop the shot in the beer and you get a crazy foamy mess if you don't chug it quickly!). Chris, Nancy, Maria, Mike, and I shared in the silliness of doing these drinks - with a whole audience watching!The bartenders were laughing at us and shaking their heads... (This is Nancy, Chris, and our bartender - after Nancy and Chris's THIRD Diver bomb! That's gonna hurt in the morning...)
But it was a good time! Between having a couple pints at dinner, a couple at the pub, and our Diver Bomb - it was a fun night! (I'm not sure Mike's mom and Annie were very impressed... But we bonded well with some of our tour group!)
Once most of the people from our tour group left, we were getting ready to leave and began talking to an older gentleman in the pub.
He was laughing at us silly Americans (with our cameras - you can always tell an American when they take out the camera!) - but was so happy to have us there! He said there hadn't been a lot of tourists this year (due to the recession), and he was thrilled to see us having a good time and loving Ireland! In talking to him, I found out he was celebrating that his niece (who lives in the States) called him tonight with news that her cancer was in remission - he was overjoyed with tears in his eyes. I felt a connection to him and didn't want to leave... His name was Kevin and I think I will always remember him... I told him I would keep him and his niece in my prayers - and have ever since.
But it was a good time! Between having a couple pints at dinner, a couple at the pub, and our Diver Bomb - it was a fun night! (I'm not sure Mike's mom and Annie were very impressed... But we bonded well with some of our tour group!)
Once most of the people from our tour group left, we were getting ready to leave and began talking to an older gentleman in the pub.
He was laughing at us silly Americans (with our cameras - you can always tell an American when they take out the camera!) - but was so happy to have us there! He said there hadn't been a lot of tourists this year (due to the recession), and he was thrilled to see us having a good time and loving Ireland! In talking to him, I found out he was celebrating that his niece (who lives in the States) called him tonight with news that her cancer was in remission - he was overjoyed with tears in his eyes. I felt a connection to him and didn't want to leave... His name was Kevin and I think I will always remember him... I told him I would keep him and his niece in my prayers - and have ever since.Now it's back to the hotel for some much needed rest. Tomorrow will be another big day!
Things I am thankful for today:
1. Kevin.
2. The Laurels - YUM!
3. The walking tour though Waterford with Jack, our tour guide. (And using Mike as "Strongbow" in his stories! Ha ha ha!)
4. Kissing the Blarney Stone.
5. Shopping was good - sweater for Mike, hat for me, and a beautiful blanket for our house.
6. Diver bombs with the group!
7. A mostly sunny day.
8. Loving all the new foods.
9. Finally saw a black sheep today - and lots of baby sheep!
10. Murphy's beer - good stuff!
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4 comments:
I don't get why you have to go upside down to kiss the Blarney Stone. Can't you just stand there and lean over?
Nope - it's below where you are standing... Does that make sense? When you are standing next to it, it's significantly lower than your feet - if you bend over it, you'd have the back of your head to the stone... LOL There's only one way to do it! :) (And it's quite the back bend, let me tell ya!)
great pictures... Your story of Kevin brought tears to my eyes!
When we went to the Blarney stone I just blew it a kiss. My back does not bend in that direction any more. lol The spiral stair cases in the castles are kinda scary to climb. We did many many of them with the steps not being the same some short some taller to keep thier enemys off thier balance.
So sorry you did not get to do the Waterford crystal tour. It is pretty interesting. I will be so sorry if they end up closeing down the factory. Mom buys somthing there every time she goes (three times now) She has three kids and so now has something to leave each one of us somthing. She is so silly.
The people are wonderful and acually like americans we found as most of them have relitives in the US.
Good for you trying an Irish car bomb. lol
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