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.

We Are Here!

We arrived this morning at around 10 AM -  Dublin time.  A little bumpy flight, but made it in one piece.  We visited did a travel tour on the bus and visited St. Patrick's Cathedral and Phoenix Park before arriving at our hotel.  Nap, shower and we were ready for dinner and a walk about town.

St. Patrick's Cathedral- It is said this is the site of the well where St. Patrick baptized converts

Phoenix Park

Phoenix Park covers about 1700 acres where it is home not only to the Irish President but also Ireland's only zoo, forests, polo fields and gardens.

The Irish White House where their President lives

Sites from our bus of Dublin

Here we go!

Packed and ready to go.  Next post will be from Ireland!

One more Day till Ireland

I have the suitcase almost packed, snacks are in my carry-on and and camera is charged and ready.  We leave Grand Rapids (tomorrow) Monday morning at 10 AM and drive to Detroit to meet up with all my friends coming from Ohio.  Yahoo!

Here is the schedule for our trip:

Day One - Monday July 11th - travel from Detroit to New York then on to Dublin

Day Two - Tuesday July 12th - Arrive in Dublin, tour Phoenix Park and St. Patrick's Cathedral

Day Three - Wednesday July 13th - Tour Trinity College, Powerscourt Gardens and Gldalough

Day Four - Thursday July 14th - We visit the Rock of Cashel, Cobh and Kinsale.  We will stay overnight at Kinsale.

Day Five - Friday July 15th - we tour more of Kinsale, Blarney and Kenmare.  We will check into a hotel in Killarney.

Day Six - Saturday July 16th - We see the Ring of Kerry, Waterville and Muckross House.  We stay one more night in Killarney.

Day Seven - Sunday July 17th - We visit Adare, Bunratty Castle, Cliffs of Moher, The Burren and Galway.  We check into a hotel in Galway.

Day Eight - Monday July 18th - We tour Connemara and Kylemore Abby.  We stay our second night in Galway.

Day Nine - Tuesday July 19th - We see Clonmacnoise, Malahide Castle and then back to Dublin.  Our last night we check into a hotel in Dublin.

Day Ten Wednesday July 20th - we fly home

Thursday, July 21st - Sleep....lol

Follow our trip each day - I will do my best to publish lots of pictures!

Our plan for Day 3

Day three will find us still in Dublin and the plan is to visit Trinity College

The Library of Trinity College is the largest research library in Ireland. As a result of its historic standing, Trinity College Library Dublin is a legal deposit library (as per Legal Deposit Libraries Act 2003) for the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and has a similar standing in Irish law. The College is therefore legally entitled to a copy of every book published in Great Britain and Ireland and consequently receives over 100,000 new items every year. The Library contains circa five million books, including 30,000 current serials and significant collections of manuscripts, maps, and printed music. Six library facilities are available for general student use.  I believe I could get lost in such a wonderful place -- Bill may have to fly over to bring me home...lol.

At the College we will see the Book of Kells which I've learned is a Bible made by the Celtic Monks around 800 AD with ornate illustrations.

One Day closer to Ireland

We are so excited to leave soon!! 

Our trip this time is with a guided tour company.  Vanessa has traveled with  Educational Opportunities twice now (she has gone to the Holy Land and Germany - yes, she has become a much more seasoned traveler than me...lol) with very positive reviews.  There are 6 of us traveling together (from Ohio and Michigan) and then we are meeting up with 10 other travelers from Texas for a total 16. 

The trip is for 10 full days!

Day one is travel - Detroit to New York and then overnight to Dublin.

We arrive a little after 9:00 AM on Day two in Dublin.  We depart the plane and board our bus to head out for our first tours.

Our tour begins with a visit to the historical St. Patrick's Cathedral built in 1190 and Phonix Park which is the largest walled city park in Europe.  The park contains woods, lakes, hillocks, streams and gardens along with the Dublin Zoo.  I am seeing alot of floral pictures in Vanessa and my future.

One more week till Ireland

One week from today, I will be jetting away for my next great adventure! 

We leave for Ireland on July 11th for 10 days.

I am so excited.  I am with 3 of my very best friends - Vanessa, Jane and Jean.  We all meet in Detroit, fly to New York and then on to Dublin.  Watch my blog to follow our fun.  And, just as Vanessa and I did on our trip to Italy in 2009, we will upload pictures about our day and share with you what we saw, ate and enjoyed.

Lemon & Blueberries - Oh My!

My grandson is visiting for a week - and what would coming to Grandma's house be without some homemade baking! I wanted to make a special treat for him.

Blueberries are coming in to season here in Michigan, so I decided to make some muffins with my two favorite flavors - lemons and blueberries.

Lemon Blueberry Pound Cake Muffins

1/2 cup butter, soften
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon lemon peel (fresh lemon zest would work best - but I did not have any so I just used dry lemon peel)
1-3/4 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup fresh blueberries

In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, vanilla extract and lemon peel (for fresh lemon zest).

Combine the flour, salt and baking soda; add to creamed mixture alternately with sour cream. Stir in blueberries.

Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups three-fourths full. Bake at 400 degrees for 20-22 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack.

Glaze:

1 cup confectioners sugar
1 to 2 tablespoon lemon juice

Mixed together and drizzle over cooled muffins.

I serve on the glaze on the side for those who want to add top their muffins.

Yields 12 muffins.