Cork—Saturday

 April 13th

After a hearty breakfast at Gabriel House we set off for our day tour of the surrounding area. Instead of renting a car, our plan is to enjoy the scenery while someone else does the driving. Today we visited Blarney Castle, Fort Charles, Kinsale, and Cobh (pronounced cove). We've been lucky with the weather since arriving in a deluge six days ago. The weather today is sunny and expected to reach 60. 

Blarney Castle upon entering the grounds.

We did NOT kiss the Blarney Stone, but we did
climb to about the middle of the castle before
deciding we didn't need to see another small damp
stone room built in 1446.

We walked the 60 acre grounds, taking pictures
and enjoying the different gardens. (enlarge the
picture to read the text if you like)

A handsome iron bench in the Poison Garden.

This arbor was just leafing out.

The Stumpery. Gotta love how they turned ancient
tree remains recovered from bogs, piled them up,
and made them an attraction.

On the Woodland Walk we encountered this giant
rhododendron. At the base it looks like several
"trees" but they're all connected.

Honest, it's really one shrub.

The Fern Garden at various stages.

The trees on the grounds are massive. This cedar
is just one impressive example.

It seems that at every bend on the trail
you're presented with another giant.

And there are delicate bloomers as well.

The Rock Close is sprinkled with sculptures and
whimsically (Irish-ly?) labelled rocks.

This sculpture is called "Celebration in Wood".

Enlarge the picture and read all about it, or not.

Witches Stone. Can you see her profile?

Druids Circle has a path around it.
Walk around it three times or under it
for good luck if you dare.

Great Grey Heron sculpture.

One last look at the castle.

And, of course, everything looks better with one of 

us in front of it.

Our second stop of the day. Fort Charles is a star-shaped
fort located at the southern edge of Kinsale harbor. It was
completed in 1682. Charles Fort was sometimes referred to
as the "new fort," contrasting it with James' Fort (the "old
fort" 1607) built on the other side of Kinsale harbor. 

This is the Spanish flag flying over the fort. It honors the

Spanish Armada (1588) that unsuccessfully came to aid

the Irish during the Battle of Kinsale.

Officer's quarters.

The larger ball is a 50 caliber, a real killer.

From the Guard House looking back to Kinsale.

 

Minutes from the fort we arrived at Kinsale where there was a food festival in full swing along the lanes in front of each restaurant. All of Kinsale was abuzz with visitors eager to enjoy the best bites on offer.

This is where we sat inside away from
the crowds enjoying a scrumptious
seafood chowder.

Kinsale is colorful and quaint.

I was glad Seamus was driving.

Cobh was our last stop of the day. It was also the last stop the Titanic made before setting sail.

 

Cobh's distinctive buildings fronting the harbor.

The Lusitania Memorial in Cobh

Square marks the lives lost when

it was sunk off the coast by a

U-boat in 1915. (enlarge the 

picture and read the inscription)

 

St. Coleman Cathedral completed

in 1919 in a striking gothic style.

Eight and a half hours and 10 miles of walking later, we finished the tour and ended our day at the Hyberion Pup (aka Hi-B Bar) where we spent a fabulous time in conversation with Susie and Niamh.