Rock, Stone and Cork

A Long Way to Tipperary

We are definitely not going to starve in Ireland. Our host offered a huge made to order Irish breakfast and I ate so much that I could barely roll to the car.

It’s raining and we are now on our way to the Rock of Cashel. We just passed the welcome to County Tipperary sign and John is singing the song… “It’s a long way to Tipperary, it’s a long way to go…”. The rain has stopped (fortunately so has John’s singing) and the sun is peeking out.

The Rock of Cashel

We first see the Rock of Cashel rising out of the countryside. Wow!

The sun is beaming on the ancient structures as we arrive to the car park.

A large number of crows, jackdaws and one raven are flying around the ancient ruins. Sheep graze on the hills going up to the castle.

The Rock of Cashel is also known as St Patrick’s Rock or Cashel of the Kings. This was the seat of ancient Irish Kings for over 700 years. It was then given to the Church. It’s oldest building is over 1000 years old. Most of the remaining ruins were built between the 12th and 15th century.

There are a few folkloric stories of how the huge limestone rock came to be in the middle of the field, all based on a battle between St Patrick and the Devil. Click the link for more details.

The ruins are stunning in the brilliant sunlight. We book a guided tour which is well worth it.

Gravestones both ancient and recent surround the ruins. The last time people could register to be buried on the Rock of Cashel was in the 1930s. There are only four preregistered spots waiting for their inhabitants, then no more burials will be allowed.

I can give you the history of this place but the beauty is in its atmosphere, surroundings and ancient stones surrounded by bright green fields. It is what I envisioned when thinking of Ireland. Completely gorgeous. Click here for a video taken at the hill.

Trapped in the Car Park

The car park gates were wide open when we arrived but now all gates are closed and you can’t get out without a ticket. Numerous people are locked in the car park along with us. One couple gets out by having a car coming in take one ticket, then back up and when the gate lowers drive in again and takes a ticket for themselves. It works for that couple so the other three carloads (including us) try it. Unfortunately it says our tickets have all expired and we are all still trapped. One of the ladies from one of the other trapped cars runs up to the castle and gets them to call a city worker who comes down to get us out.

Finally freed, John and I are on the road again, heading to Blarney Castle.

Blarney Castle and Gardens

The weather keeps changing from brilliant sunshine to rain. I keep searching for a rainbow because if I’m to find a pot of gold, this would be the place. Unfortunately no rainbow and no pot of gold.

The weather has cleared by the time we get to Blarney Castle and we don’t need our rain coats. We truly are lucky with the weather today.

It is 3pm and the place is not busy. We go straight to the castle passing signs that say “60 minute wait to kiss the stone from here” and “30 minute wait to kiss the stone from here”. We are able to walk right up to the famous Blarney Stone with no line up at all, though you do have to first climb a tortuous winding stone staircase to reach the top of the castle where the stone is located.

Although I had often heard of the Blarney Stone I had no idea that it was located on the top of the castle on one of the outer walls. To kiss the stone you need to be held as you slide head first several feet upside down.

I went first. With the help of the man, I laid down on my back, he had me hold the bars and had me lean back….then he said I needed to lean back further. I knew he wouldn’t let me fall but it was a long way down. I said “This so isn’t going to happen” and wiggled my way back up and scuttled away.

You can see the hole where the Blarney Stone is from the picture looking up the castle.

John goes next and has no problem kissing the stone.

Although the stone is the main attraction, the most enjoyable parts of the visit are the Blarney gardens…The Poison Plant garden, the Fern Garden, the Witches stairs area and so much more. The private Blarney House is also gorgeous on the outside. It is all well worth the visit.

A stressful Intro to Cork

From Blarney it is a short drive into the city of Cork. Our accommodations are very central but parking is not as simple as our host led us to believe. Street parking is impossible to find and at one point we had to push in our side view mirrors in order to back out of a very narrow dead end street I accidently told John to drive down…very stressful.

We go to a number of parking lots only to find they have no overnight parking. We finally find one lot a 15 minute walk away from our accommodations for $40 CAD a day. Yikes.

We finally get to our room, drop off our luggage and find a nice, cozy pub for a Guinness and supper. I have the traditional fish, chips and peas which is totally delicious but I expect my tummy is going to be feeling the after effects of fried food in a few hours