Saturday - Day trip to Adare and Limerick

We had a walking tour of Adare. This was a garden in the area.

We saw grass roofs in many areas of the country. It appeared that they are still being done 

just for the tourists. We saw some buildings with sagging grass on top of metal roofs.

We spotted King John's Castle, an early 13th century Anglo-Norman fortress, in Limerick.

We had dinner and entertainment at Knappogue Castle on our last night.

Before, during and after dinner, we had singers, dancers and musicians.

Two of our fellow travelers, Pat and Larry, were chosen to be visiting King and Queen. Before the meal was served, King Larry, the provider of the chicken, had to taste the meat first. He did not fair well. His dramatic death was short-lived! He arose to partake in the lively feast!

Friday - Aran Islands Tour

Our group took a ferry to Inis Oirr, the smallest of the three Aran Islands. It's 250 residents

 still speak Gaelic. Hearing the word 'ferry', I (Debra) thought of a bigger boat than this one. 

Many of you know that I easily get motion sickness. Even with ten foot seas, I did all right. 

Thank you Dramamine pills.

Kim jumped off the boat as soon as it docked. We had no idea what he was 

doing until we spotted him and fellow traveler Pat.

This is a great example of the rock walls and ruins all over Ireland.

This ship was sunk offshore during a storm. Another storm washed it ashore.

This is the ruins of St. Caomhan church. Over the years, sand started 

burying it. The outer wall was built to preserve it.

The ferry to the island left shore in an area close to the Cliffs of Moher. On the 

return trip, Wayne snapped this picture of the waves hitting the cliffs.

Thursday Heading to Ennis

We stopped at Bunratty Castle on the way to Ennis. The Vikings settled the area in the 10th century. This is the fourth castle on the site. The first three were destroyed in battles with the Normans.

Having lunch at the 'tavern' in Bunratty.

Kim and DeeDee stopped for a visit with the 'doctor'. He was on his way 

to lunch, so he stopped for photos instead.

After arriving in Ennis, we went on a walking tour. This is Ennis Friary. 

After dinner in the hotel bar, we worked on the blog. This is the one covering three days, which we had a devil of a time finishing. The WiFi connection was veeerrry slow!

Touring Galway on Wednesday

This is Galway Bay. Galway declined after damage from battle with Oliver Cromwell's 

forces in the mid 17th century. Today, it's prosperous and vital.

We haven't posted may pics of churches on this trip. We don't want y'all to 

say 'another bloody church?' This is Galway Cathedral.

This is an alcove in the church where a casket will sit overnight awaiting the funeral. Notice the pic on the right. It is President John F. Kennedy, He is still beloved in the country.

We next toured the Connamara Marble factory. This picture shows the types of marbles they work with. In addition to doing work in buildings, they make a lot of jewelry.

This was one of the silliest, but most enjoyable, happenings during any of our trips.

 One of our fellow travelers 'proposed' to our bus driver. A 20 year old, traveling with 

her grandmother, put together a 'mock' wedding, with flowers, veil, and vows. All went 

well until the bride tried to kiss the groom; he ran!

Tuesday in Galway

We drove through the Connemara region to Kylemore Abbey, 

currently the home of Benedictine nuns. 

The grounds include Victorian gardens.

We cruised Killary fjord. Beautiful water and hills.

We are waiting for lunch on the boat.

As you can see, it was a little windy!

We then drove through the Inagh Valley, passing the village of Clough Na Mara. Deserted since the potato blight of the 1840's, homes are gradually being built among the ruins. 

Saturday, Sunday and Monday

The days are full and the nights have long dinners. The Irish don't hurry their meals. I tell you this to explain why we are lax in our posting! That's why we're doing a few days here.

On Saturday, we toured the Dingle Peninsula. This was one of many beautiful landscapes.

We stopped at a residence that had many outbuildings called beehives.

Of course, where there's an animal, you'll find Kim petting it!

The four of us in front of the beehive.

The mountains are called Three Sisters. This area is where some

 of the next Star Wars movie was filmed.

On Sunday, we drove to the Ring of Kerry, the coastline of the Iveragh Peninsula. 

This spot is called Ladies View.

We had a demonstration of a dog herding sheep.

On Monday, we visited the Cliffs of Moher.  Here is a view to the left.

This is a view to the right at the Cliffs of Moher.

The four of us in front of the Cliffs of Moher.

This area is called the Burren (stony place), This is Dee Dee's imitation of 'Boudreaux, I'm flying'!

Thursday in Cobh and Friday in on the road to Killarney

We had a talk and a stroll with a local guide and author. This statue is the

 Lusitania peace memorial. Cobh was a major emigration port.  

This is the building the Titanic passengers passed through before being tendered to the ship.  This was the last stop before its maiden voyage.

 This is Annie Moore, the first Irish emigrant to pass through Ellis Island.

We had a home hosted lunch. This is the typical look of a medium priced home. 

This was our hostess, Olive.

This is all of us in front of Blarney Castle.

On our way to the top of the castle to kiss the stone.

Narrow passages, low ceiling, tall steps. There were 127 steps in all.

Kim was the first to kiss the Blarney Stone.

Dee Dee, Wayne and Debra swore they weren't going to assume the position!

As you can see,

we did!

We are going for a ride in Jaunting Car (horse and carriage) through Killarney National Park.

This is Ross Castle, one of many castles devastated  by Oliver Cromwell.