Today we first drove to Ardmore, to the Cliffhouse Hotel, and had a coffee.
Ardmore is a seaside resort and fishing village in County Waterford, Ireland, not far from Youghal on the south coast of Ireland. Ardmore is believed to be the oldest Christian settlement in Ireland. According to tradition, Saint Declan lived in the region in the early 5th century, and Christianised the area before the coming of Saint Patrick.
From here we took an hour hike along the cliffs. The path, begins near this hotel, and ends back in the main street. The cliff walk, which has marker posts erected along the route, passes an old remodeled Coastguard Station, St Declan's Cell and Holy Well, a ruined church, the wreck of the Samson, an abandoned 20th century coast guard lookout, and another, much older, lookout tower. Further along the walk is a well with stone canopy, known as Fr. O'Donnells Well.
We had sunshine (unusually) and it was a beautiful walk. Highly recommended. https://www.theirishroadtrip.com/ardmore-cliff-walk/
Then we were off to one of the must-do's touristy things to do in Ireland- Blarney Castle. Along the way we drove through Cork but David had been before, hadn't been impressed, so we really only saw the town from a distance.
The castle s a medieval stronghold in Blarney, a town in Cork, Ireland. Though earlier fortifications were built on the same spot, the current keep was built by the MacCarthy of Muskerry dynasty, a cadet branch of the Kings of Desmond, and dates from 1446. The Blarney Stone is among the machicolations of the castle.
Blarney Castle is now a partial ruin with some accessible rooms and battlements. At the top of the castle lies the Stone of Eloquence, better known as the Blarney Stone. At the top tourists hang upside-down over a sheer drop to kiss the stone, which is said to give the gift of eloquence. So we made this pilgrimage to the top. It is slow going over the narrow, spiral stone staircase but it is further slowed down by the fact that only so many people can be on the roof at the same time to have their photos taken at the stone.
We of course had our photo opportunity but also enjoyed the views over the countryside.
There are many versions of the origin of the stone, including a claim that it was the Lia Fáil — a numinous stone upon which Irish kings were crowned.
The Blarney Stone is a block of Carboniferous limestone built into the battlements. According to legend, kissing the stone endows the kisser with the gift of the gab (great eloquence or skill at flattery). The stone was set into a tower of the castle in 1446.
The word blarney has come to mean "clever, flattering, or coaxing talk".
David told me our friends had begged him to keep me from the stone, but I persevered none-the-less. David admits I have yet to increase my conversation from its already frantic pace.
Note, only visit the castle on a day without rain (should you find one) as there is no roof to the castle and it would not be a pleasant experience. Its not a climb for the unfit.
Then we took a drive to the beautiful town of Kinsale.
Kinsale meaning 'head of the brine' is a historic port and fishing town in County Cork, Ireland. Located approximately 25 km south of Cork City on the southeast coast near the Old Head of Kinsale, it sits at the mouth of the River Bandon, and has a population of 5,991 which increases in the summer when tourism peaks.
Kinsale is a holiday destination for both Irish and overseas tourists. The town is known for its restaurants. It's a very cute place and we could have wandered around the town for a few days but only had time to have enjoy a stroll before dinner.
We wandered to St. Multose Church and were surprised to see it open and unsupervised. We enjoyed the peace & tranquility inside of a few wonderful moments.
This historic church is one of the most important landmark buildings of Kinsale. Originally built in 1190. The most dominant feature, the impressive bell tower, is in fact one of the few remaining features from the original Norman church with the fourth stage and its decorations being added in 1750.
As one of the most important churches in the country it has been used on multiple occasions for political ends, one of the most notable being during the English Civil War when Prince Rupert declared Charles II the new King after the execution of Charles I. Graves of victims of the RMS Lusitania sinking are also in the grounds.
Then we had a very nice fish dinner at Fishy Fish, as recommended by Francis Quinn. It too is a Michelin Yum. https://fishyfishy.ie