Blarney & Killarney, Ireland (Day 7)

On Friday morning (Ella's birthday), we packed up and loaded onto the tour bus out of Dublin.  We stopped on the side of the road for a few minutes at one point to take pictures of the Rock of Cashel,

Rock of Cashel

Outside of Blarney Castle

A few minutes later made a 20-minute scone and cappuccino stop, then we continued until we reached Blarney Castle, where we had a couple of hours to explored.  All five of us ended up making the twisting climb up to the top so Ella, Lisa and I could attempt to kiss the Blarney Stone.  I had NO IDEA that you had to lay down on your back and scoot into a sort of hole at the top of the castle and bend backwards to kiss this stone!  Yikes!  Ella ended up being too little for it so she blew a kiss.

Outside of Blarney Castle

Blarney Castle

Ella on her way to kiss the stone

Me kissing the stone

The line to kiss the stone

My parents at the top of Blarney Castle

After kissing the stone, we all made the trek back down and took a few minutes to check out the Poison Garden before going back to where we were dropped off to grab lunch, do a quick gift shop look and get back on the bus.

Mom, dad and me in front of Blarney Castle

Marijuana in the Poison Garden at Blarney

That evening we arrived in Killarney.  I wandered around the town a little bit and bought a couple of little birthday gifts for Ella before heading back to meet everyone for dinner.

Ella's little birthday celebration during dinner

Itinerary: "Begin your day with a brief stop in the town of Cashel for views of the historic Rock of Cashel, the reputed location where St. Patrick preached and converted the King of Munster. Next, journey to historic Blarney Castle where you have the opportunity to kiss the famous Blarney Stone. Legend has it that those who kiss the stone are bestowed with the gift of eloquence. You will also have time to shop at the famous Blarney Woollen Mills, the world’s largest Irish gift store. End your day in charming Killarney."