Ireland: June 19, 2011

Our Journey Ends

After attending a Cabaret and dinner

This was the end of our journey with our group. After saying our goodbyes, Zach and I headed to the other hotel we were staying at. We tacked on another day because it was cheaper in our airplane ticket. Which was fine with us! Dublin is such a wonderful city. I wouldn't mind living there....

We stayed at the Grafton Hotel. It was very picturesque.

Grafton Hotel

We had dinner here our last night

On the Streets of Dublin

Pretty

The buildings are no taller than these in Dublin

Ireland: June 18, 2011

Leaving our B&B, we traveled to Cobh and visited St. Colman's Cathedral. The style of architecture is French Gothic and it was built in the form of a Latin Cross. The exterior is of Dalkey Granite with dressings of Mallow limestone. (I got all this information from the pamphlet at the cathedral.)

I just loved the doors

The inside was stunning

<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

From 1848 to 1950, over 6 million adults and children emigrated from Ireland. About 2.5 million left from Cobh as a result of poverty, crop failures, and other reasons. Many of the emigrants went to British North America (now Canada) because of fare structures and government regulations. But the majority settled in the United States. 

These were just a few of the models

Life on the boat

Even through hard times, they still found ways to enjoy life

<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

After leaving Cobh, we headed for Dublin. We visited the Guinness Brewery and took a tour. It is very interesting how they make Guinness. 

A big barrel 

These were the different types of bottles
over the years

The harp

Ireland: June 17, 2011 (part 2)

Blarney Castle 

After Garnish Island, we continued our journey to Blarney. This is where we stayed the night at our last B&B. But before stopping there for the night, we stopped at Blarney Castle: The Home of the Blarney Stone. It wasn't on our itinerary, but our guide said we had to visit because it would be a real treat for us. 

It was tall! Can you
see short me? 

Me kissing the Blarney Stone

We climbed 100 steps to get to the top of the castle and it was no easy climb! Some of the stairs were very narrow but it was still fun to climb. So they say...if you kiss the stone then you receive the gift of eloquence. 

Zach kissing the Blarney Stone

The view from the castle 

We are standing in the dining area....

Ireland: June 17, 2011 (part 1)

This day was spectacular! We  traveled to Glengarriff and boarded a boat that took us to Garnish Island. This is a small island that was transformed into an exotic garden in 1910 by Harold Peto. The island is surrounded by Bantry Bay and contains all different types of flowers, including subtropical types. So...many pictures on this post :)

Boat ride over to Garnish Island

I love Lily Pads

Beautiful sight

Awww my handsome husband ;)

I love him so much

Stunning blue

I had to smell the roses...my favorite

Ireland: June 16, 2011

This day we traveled along the Ring of Kerry. It was beautiful and we stopped along different places in the ring. The landscape was like none we ever seen. So green and lush with rising mountains, valleys, and the sea meshing together was just a magical place to see. 

So beautiful

The Irish people are so nice and friendly :)

The Atlantic Ocean

<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

Our buggy ride :)

That evening a few of us from the group took an optional excursion from our travel package. It was a traditional pony and trap through the Bourne Vincent National Park. We also visited the Muckross House. It was a beautiful ride and it rained every now and then but it was still so much fun! 

The Muckross House. Or my house ;)

Our horse, Sally. She got some new shoes the
next day. Every girl needs some!