Overdue Update

Our fourth day in Ireland is almost over. (We do still plan to hit the local pub.) We didn't have wifi last night in Cork, so this update is overdue. Wednesday night after watching soccer we went to Henry Downe's pub to to try the house-distilled "No. 9" whiskey. It was fine; soon we struck up a conversation with the local customers Ellen and Billy, and the bar staff John and Killian. We chatted about Irish slang and movies before turning to local events and politics.

Thursday morning we followed our friend Conor's suggestion and drove through the Vee Gap on our way to the seaside village of Ardmore. It was a quaint little place and we got a bite to eat there. We checked out the round tower and cathedral ruins before checking out the small "castle" and the dramatic cliffs of the southern coast. (Spongiest grass I have ever walked on!) We were disappointed that we didn't have time to do the cliff walk, but we had to get to Midleton for our next stop: the Jameson Experience.

We had a very nice tour of the Jameson Distillery. We started with hot totties and an introductory film before touring the historic facilities where whiskey was distilled through the 19th century and up to 1975. (All Jameson brands are still produced on-site, but in modern facilities.) We learned about the process and saw the largest still in the world. Our friend Brian told us to volunteer at the end of the tour, so we did, and the three of us were selected as part of they eight who got to do a whisky tasting comparing Jameson to Johnny Walker Scotch and Jack Daniels. All very different, but of course Jameson was thee best. We enjoyed chatting with folks from the tour, including a man from California, a couple from Sweden, and French students, before heading on to Cork for the evening.

In Cork, we found dinner at Dan Lawry's Pub before going to Sin é for drinks and live music (not Irish music). Barry enjoyed the locally brewed Rebel Red and Jim liked the locally brewed Murphy's.

This morning we overslept and went to check out Cork's famous English Market. The market had lots of fresh meats and fish, as well as vegetables, pastries, and coffee. We also found a camera store where we bought a charger for Gywen's camera battery before checking out of the hotel and heading to Blarney.

Blarney castle and its grounds were beautiful, and we enjoyed being there on an equally beautiful, mostly sunny say. Of course we did climb to the top and kiss that famous stone. We've got the pictures to prove it. From there, we drove on scenic back roads to get to Killarny National Park. The surrounding mountains and lakes were also beautiful. We took a horse-drawn cart tour around the grounds and up to an impressive waterfall. The forest around the falls was covered in an amazing green moss, just as one would expect in Ireland.

After dinner in Killarny town, we headed on to Strands End B&B in Cahersaveen, where tea and a warm fire was waiting. And now, we're off to the local pub!