Travel to - Killarney, Ireland III #019

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We enjoyed the sights of Killarney National Park from the traditional Jaunting Car which operates all year-round, the Killarney Jaunting car trip was a "must" for every one visiting Killarney. 

The driver was a wealth of information telling us about the history, folklore and the beauty of Killarney National Park from the comfort of the traditional mode of transport; the Irish jaunting car ...

There was so much beautiful scenery of the Killarney National Park as we enjoyed our horse drawn jaunting car ride through the grounds of the park as we made our way to the majestic 15th century Ross Castle on the shores of Lough Leane.

Kenmare is a small town in the south of County Kerry, Ireland. The name Kenmare is the anglicised form of Ceann Mara, meaning "head of the sea", referring to the head of Kenmare Bay. 

Kenmare in Ireland is a haven of tranquillity, gourmet food, superb accommodation, Golf Courses, Riding & Trekking and breathtaking scenery in one of the most natural, unspoiled environments in Europe.

A market town and fishing port...

Vacation in one of the few planned towns in Ireland, Kenmare - was laid out on an X-shaped street plan in the late 18th century by the marquis of Lansdowne as the showpiece of his Kerry estates. It earned its living as a market town and fishing port, and from iron works, lead mining and quarrying. 

The Market House and the Lansdowne ... 

The “little nest” of Kenmare is part of the famed Ring of Kerry, ideally located on the Wild Atlantic way, Ring of Beara and Ring of Kerry.

Between Muckross House and Kenmare is a scenic mountainous chunk of Killarney National Park (great views at Moll's Gap) and the Kissane Sheep Farm, a real working farm that offers demonstrations of hands-on sheep shearing and expert sheepherding. 

Great views of Moll's Gap and a visit to Kissane Sheep Farm, Moll's Gap, County Kerry Ireland  -  sheep Farm & Dog's is a traditional, working sheep farm with approximately 1000 mountain sheep and hundreds of lamb.

Situated between Kenmare and Killarney National Park in Co. Kerry in the Republic of Ireland is Kissane Sheep Farm. The famous panorama of Moll's Gap is in the middle of the land, overlooking the farmand its sheep and lambs. 

Our group was invited into their barn where they kept a few of the sheep and the young ones.  They let us hold the babies and what a thrill - they were so cute!  It's something we all will remember!

It was totally amazing watching the herding dogs, mostly Border Collies, round up the sheep.

Drive through County Cork covers much of Ireland’s southwest. Its capital, Cork, is known for St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral, a neo-Gothic structure with tall spires and stained-glass windows. Across the River Lee is the castle-like Cork City Gaol, built in the 19th century. 

Northwest of Cork is the 15th-century Blarney Castle, home to the Blarney Stone, which is said to give the “gift of the gab”, or eloquence, to those who kiss it.

Climb to the top of the Blarney Castle is a must!

The Blarney Castle is a medieval stronghold in Blarney, near Cork, Ireland, and the River Martin.  We climbed all the way to the top of the big castle to have the experience of kissing the Blarney Stone and looking over the Gardens from the top!​  It took about an hour because of the crowd wanting to have the same experience.  After you finally get there at the top and it's your turn - you're instructed to lay down on your back and the man holds on to you and helps you while you put your head back, he scoots your head way back to kiss the blarney stone - which is a flat greenish part of the wall.  It's a pretty intense position - if he'd let go, you'd end up falling through the gap down about three levels!!! GOODBYE!!!

There's a pretty big gap there and you're practically standing on your head laying on your back while this guy holds on to you! I have pictures of my experience on the 30-minute download! It's pretty fast and before you know it, you're on your way down the spiraling stairway.  It's something you only want to do once in your life but you'll never forget this experience!!!

Kiss The Blarney Stone;

For over 200 years, world statesmen, literary giants, and legends of the silver screen have joined the millions of pilgrims climbing the steps to kiss the Blarney Stone and gain the gift of eloquence. Its powers are unquestioned but its story still creates debate.

 Blarney Woolen Mills Shop for Irish Gifts...

We visited the Blarney Woolen Mills Shop for Irish Gifts, Wool & Aran sweaters, Irish Crystal and Celtic Jewelry - and much more, direct from Ireland at Blarney Woolen Mills.

Below are just a couple of photos but we took a bunch of climbing to the top just to say "we kissed the BLARNEY STONE"!!!  It took about an hour to reach the top because of the amount of other people from "everywhere" wanting to do the same thing!

You can find all these pictures on our 30-minute download and it's worth it to get your own copy - especially if you know you can't travel there right now!

Took photos at the stately Rock of Cashel -  The Rock of Cashel is one of Ireland's most spectacular historic sites: a prominent green hill, banded with limestone outcrops, rising from a grassy plain and bristling with ancient fortifications. Sturdy walls circle an enclosure containing a complete round tower, a 13th-century Gothic cathedral and the finest 12th-century Romanesque chapel in Ireland, home to some of the land's oldest frescoes.

STUNNING HISTORIC FORTRESS

Just off the motorway, driving between Dublin and Killarney or Cork, is the small town of Cashel. It's great attraction is the Rock of Cashel, a nearly 2000-year old castle atop a huge stone outcropping - served as a seat of Irish royalty since the 4th Century and is associated…

Drive North to Dublin; 

Dublin is the capital and largest city of Ireland and is in the province of Leinster on the east coast of Ireland, at the mouth of the River Liffey and bordered on the South by the Wicklow Mountains.