Today was a big driving day, and our last day with our car. I got up at around 7AM and started packing. Sharon got up some minutes later and we headed down to breakfast. Sharon followed my lead and got a cheese omelette along with some Irish Bacon (Ham). I had the same but with sausage. Our server was just as down home and chatty as yesterday.

Afterwards we headed out with our bags and on to Killarney. I pulled out ever so slightly in front of a car, but luckily the driver saw me and no harm was done.

It was a rainy day and we saw a lot of fog on the horizon. Once we saw what looked to be a large white cloud covering up most everything to the right of us. But then we found out it was the sea and the fog had drifted in.

We drove in and out of small Irish towns with just a bar and gas station and school. Mostly accessible roads, but I always had to keep a lookout and remind myself when turning to take the left lane instead of the right (by habit).

After about 90 minutes we made it to Killarney. Killarney must have been a horse racing town as many signs were up indicating the horse race this weekend. There was even a “Ladies Day” meaning the ladies were the judges at the horse race(?). “Ladies Day” back home means a church is going to have a day where ladies speak and fellowship. It has a totally different meaning in Killarney.

Muckross Abbey and Muckross House is located in Killarney National Park, just a few minutes drive from the city. Throughout our journey we kept seeing horse and buggies taking visitors to various places within the park. We arrived at a parking lot within the park, and Google Maps wanted us to go further past a barred off area. Since the parking lot was full we parked in a grassy area. So many people were parking their cars in this unofficial parking lot I felt pretty sure we could get away with it.

We asked for information from the tourist stand. We got a map and found our way (after about a kilometer) to Muckross Abbey. As with most church ruins in Ireland the stone walls remain, but the roof is gone. Around the abbey were grave sites (both new and old). I am under the impression that in order to be buried there you must have a connection there – such has having a spouse already buried there.

I entered into the abbey and climbed the stairs in enough time to see Sharon in the cemetery taking photos. I greeted her from the window and waved. In the abbey there were many nooks and crannies. Perfect place for a wedding or haunted house (the former rather the latter is probably most appropriate).

Next was the Muckross House – another long walk away. We had read how tours of the house was the only way to get inside, so we passed on the tour and just took photos from the green.

It was time for lunch so we had planned on stopping at a Supermac’s which is an Irish fast food restaurant, which is just about in every medium sized city. You see more of those than McDonald’s. They have burgers, sandwiches and sometimes Papa John’s pizza. This particular one which was part of a gas station only served chicken sandwiches and burgers. The burgers seemed really large with two patties so I decided on a kids burger knowing that I’d be getting my fill of fries. Sharon got a chicken sandwich. We then visited the restroom at the Supervalue convenience store next door and bought some drinks for the road.

We figured we had enough time to see Blarney Castle so off we went. It was a 90 minute drive away. At Blarney Castle there was a gate with a parking pass which I found you later had to pay 2 EURO for in order to leave the complex.

We got our tickets into the complex. It was one of the most well kept castle complexes I had been to. Sharon took photos of the flowers along the path while I longed to see the castle. Over the bridge we found our way to the castle.

 

The first entrance goes down to the basement with again more nooks and crannies. I figured this didn’t go anywhere so further down the path I went. I saw where the poisoned garden was, which Sharon specifically wanted to see.

Nearby was the main entrance with signs stating “Wait time for Blarney Stone is 60 minutes.” There wasn’t anyone in line, so I continued on. It was then I saw what I thought was the line up the stairs (I later figured this wasn’t really the line; rather a line of people just waiting to get in to see the castle.

Sharon and went to the poison garden where we saw poison oak, marijuana, deadly nightshade, catmint (I’m assuming cat nip), tobacco, tea with caffeine, mandrake, wormwood, among many others. The only one that really scared me was poison oak/ivy. It along with marijuana and deadly nightshade was behind a cage signifying that visitors should not go near it.


While we were in the garden it began to mist and rain softly. Not enough to be worried about, but enough to get clothes damp if we stayed there long enough.

After a few more pictures we decided to head out. While the parking lot we cleaned out the rental car for easy transfer at the Cork airport.

Cork Airport was 30 minutes away through some very narrow roads according to the way Google was taking us. The Avis/Budget/Payless car dropoff locations near the airport were closed so off the the terminal we went to the main rental car drop off area. It took some time to figure out the system, but we did eventually park the car in the appropriate area and returned the key to the counter.
Sharon was a bit tired and it was raining so we decided to catch a taxi rather than a bus to the hotel. Our taxi driver was a bit chatty with us suggesting we visit other areas during our stay.

We made it to Lancaster Lodge, paid the driver 14 Euro and checked in to our hotel. Sharon said I should go ahead and get pizza at Uncle Pete’s Pizzaria – a bus ride and long walk away. After some coaxing I obliged promising to bring her some pizza back. Uncle Pete’s Pizzaria was a bus ride and long walk away. After bit of time I found it.

Inside of the Pizzaria there were old movie posters around. The place has limited seating and after a bit amount of time I got moved to a decent table. The pizza was great – New York Style on thin crust. I especially liked the sauce.

I had promised Sharon pizza, but I wanted to get her a nice hot pizza. I had spotted Apache Pizza just a few blocks from our hotel, so I got her a personal pizza and Coke. I managed to keep it warm on the way back to the hotel. Sharon was appreciative of it.

Tomorrow we catch a bus to Cashel to see the Rock of Cashel. Looking forward to it.