An Erin Adventure

It was an autumn day, fresh and crisp, with a slight breeze blowing that made our cheeks rosy. My Aunt Trix and I were on the trip of a lifetime, one in which she had been making plans for almost all of her seventy-five years. Being of Irish heritage we both felt akin to that beautiful country. Our first stop after seeing London was to take a train ride through charming Wales with its wet emerald hills glistening after a light rain. Soon we were at Holyhead at the Ferry buying our tickets to cross the Irish sea to Dun Laoghairie. The ferry was a pleasant surprise. It was decorated with intimate tables along side grand glass windows for a wonderful view. The center, where different restaurants lured in hungry patrons, was akin to the neon lights of the Las Vegas strip. There was even an inviting kid friendly area where children were elated in seeking out adventure. After arriving in Dun Laoghairie, we were told is pronounced Dun Laorry, I rented an automatic compact car and we headed for Galway. I had to keep reminding myself to keep on the left side of the road. We found a lovely bed and breakfast. Galway was a lovely rural village near the sea with friendly folks. We each had our own room. We delighted in hearing the lambs as we went to sleep. After a wonderful full Irish breakfast the next morning, we were on our way to visit the famous Blarney Castle. ancient castle walls... the Blarney stone awaits our precarious kiss We arrived in the afternoon and were thrilled at the first sight of the castle with bright rust hued ivy vining its way around the round tower that overlooks the River Martin. The current keep, a medieval stronghold in Blarney near Cork, was built by the MacCarthy of Muskerry dynasty, a cadet branch of the Kings of Desmond, and dates from 1446. The Blarney stone, reputed to gift eloquence of speech, laid at the end on the top of the roofless keep with a line of eager tourists waiting to lie on their backs, head first, to kiss the well worn stone. I will never forget the ecstatic smile on my aunts face as she was helped up after kissing the Blarney Stone. I captured her joy with my camera. charming autumn view... the castle's steep steps were climbed to kiss the cold stone Visiting Blarney Castle and it's grounds was the highlight of our holiday. The memories and photographs still cause a smile and a tear. 8-7-17