From Killarney we headed for Cork. We stopped at a working sheep farm and really enjoyed the sheep dog demonstration with Ireland's finest Border Collies in action. The farmer was a kick, and oh wouldn't it be nice if our children ( and grandchildren) would mind as well as those dogs!! They loved the Irishman and the youngest could hardly control herself, she wanted to work so bad. Those sheep definetly knew who was boss!
That afternoon we visited the famed Blarney Stone. There are 129 steps to the tower so I passed. "Arthur" was playing havic with my achie breakie bones. According to legend, anyone who manages the backward lean to kiss the Blarney Stone receives the "gift of gab", a smooth, soothing way with words that at best means nothing! Our driver John says Marie, the tour director was taken there when she was a baby and she's been talking none stop ever since!
Elizabeth I coined the word "Blarney" to describe her endless and fruitless discussions with Dermot McCarthy over his surrender of the castle to the Crown. McCarthys built the present castle with its 85 foot high keep in 1446, replacing the earlier castle. The Blarney Stone gets all the publicity but the tower house and surrounding gardens are superb. The grounds also include caves, dungeons, and a rock garden of ancient trees and weathered stones.
We continued on to Cork, Irelands second largest city. We walked through a famous English Market noted for its wide selection of Irish fresh produce. Unlike our supermarkets!
Our stay in Cork was at the Imperial Hotel Cork. It is an early 19th century historical building with comfortable compact rooms. The hotel has hosted many famous events and people in Irish history.
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