Ring of Kerry

 We found that the "ring" is not a ring as what we thought - it is the tour around the central peninsula of Iveragh.  We saw fantastic views of the mountains and coast.  It was truly an awe inspiring site.  My pictures could not capture the shear beauty of it.

Colored Doors of Dublin

While we walked around Dublin on our first night, we could not help but notice the lovely colored doors - and as we found - every thing in Ireland has a story - here is the story of the doors. 

 It was the death of Prince Albert, the husband of Queen Victoria, which put her into such a state of mourning, she ordered all doors in the entire British Empire to be painted black. The Irish, being opposed to caving to such orders, immediately painted their doors as colorfully as was possible at the time.


 

Crosses of Ireland

We saw many beautiful crosses all over the land scape.  Below is a sampling of some that I found so interesting.



Kinsale Ghost Tour

  

A town with a curse! 

We ventured out one evening to see what was stirring in Kinsale.  Our guide met us at the Tap Tavern and took us for a walk around the town.  He told  us chilling stories of the French Prison, The Cures of St. Multose, Body Snatchers, Smugglers Haven, The Battle of Kinsale 1601 and the White Lady.  And we saw ghostly locals who choose to live on in Kinsale.

If you ever visit Kinsale - take a chance and join the tour...perhaps you too will see some some  of the town's favorite characters.

Charles Fort

Charles Fort is a star fort located on the water's edge, at the southern end of the village of Summer Cove, on Kinsale harbor, County Cork, Ireland. James' Fort is located on the other side of the harbor. Built in the 17th century and is one of the largest military forts in the country at that time.


Charles Fort is built on the site of an earlier stronghold known as Ringcurran Castle, which featured prominently during the Siege of Kinsale in 1601. The fort, which is named after Charles II, was designed by the Surveyor-general Sir William Robinson - architect of the Royal Hospital Kilmainham. The fort was built in the 1670s and 1680s to a star fortification design - a layout specifically designed to resist attack by cannon.

The in-land bastions of the fort however are overlooked by higher ground. A fact which was of critical importance when the fort was besieged by John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough (then 1st Earl) in 1690 during the Williamite War in Ireland. Repairs were made following the siege and the fort remained in use as a British Army barracks for several hundred years afterwards.

The day we visited the weather was absolutely beautiful and allow us to really explore the fort and enjoy the views of the harbor.

Cliffs of Moher

The Cliffs of Moher is located in the County Clare of Ireland and overlook the Atlantic coast rise over 200 meters.  Home to at least eight species of sea birds including the adorable Puffin. 

The wind was extremely high the day we visited.  In fact Pam was swept off her feet and came home with a little souvenir of a bruised chin.

Vanessa braving the winds to get her shot

Kylemore Abbey

The Kylemore Abbey began as a hunting lodge for  Mitchell Henry and Margaret Vaughen in 1850.  Today the Abbey is home to a community of Benedictine Nuns. Part of the 1500 acres is a chapel which has lovely Connemara Marble columns. When we visited the Abbey it was raining.

Molly Malone

 In Dublin's Fair City
Where the girls are so pretty
I first set my eyes on sweet Molly Malone
As she wheel'd her wheel barrow
Through streets broad and narrow
Crying cockles and mussels alive, alive o!

Chorus

Alive, alive o!, alive, alive o!

Crying cockles and mussels alive, alive o!

She was a fishmonger

But sure 'twas no wonder
For so were her father and mother before
And they each wheel'd their barrow
Through streets broad and narrow
Crying cockles and mussels alive, alive o!

Chorus

She died of a fever

And no one could save her
And that was the end of sweet Molly Malone
But her ghost wheels her barrow
Through streets broad and narrow
Crying cockles and mussels alive, alive o!

Chorus

The Whole Group

Heritage Center in Kinsale

 Kinsale is located on the southern coast of Ireland and is the site of two important ocean disasters.  First, when the RMS Lusitania was sunk by a German U-boat on May 7, 1915, some of the bodies and survivors were brought to Kinsale and the subsequent inquest on the bodies recovered was held in the town's courthouse. A statue in the harbour commemorates the effort. 

The second is this was not only where the Titanic we made, but also the last port of call for the Titanic before she set sail to sea. 

From this port is also where many immigrants left from to America.  We see below a lovely commemorative statue to Annie Moore who was the first immigrant to the United States to pass through the Ellis Island facility in New York Harbor.

 

 



Blarney Castle

Blarney Castle, as viewed by the visitor today, is the third to have been erected on this site. The first building in the tenth century was a wooden structure. Around 1210 A.D. this was replaced by a stone structure which had the entrance some twenty feet above the ground on the north face. This building was demolished for foundations. In 1446 the third castle was built by Dermot McCarthy, King of Munster of which the keep still remains standing.



Powerscourt

Powerscourt is a large county estate.  Originally built in the 13th century and was extensively renovated in the 18th century.  The estate is on 47 acres with large gardens, a golf course and of course the beautiful house.  We visited the property on Wednesday and had lunch in one of the restaurants.

Glendalough

We started our absolutely beautiful day today with a visit to Glendalough.   

The name Glendalough means valley with two lakes.  The was a seventh century monastery which was started by Saint Kevin.  Here we see rare example of round towers.  And the cemetery has wonderful Celtic crosses.