Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
It’s one of my favorite days of the year. I will be sure to make a toast to all of you with a pint or two of Guinness. Mr. TWS says that the best Guinness is that which is poured in Ireland, but a pint in a good Irish pub here in the U.S. will have to do for now.
These photos were taken at Blarney Castle. It was the third day of a wonderful ten day driving trip through Ireland. It is such a beautiful country and the people really are warm, friendly, and fun to be around — it’s not just a myth.
Towers and grounds of Blarney Castle
Although Blarney Castle is a major tourist attraction, it wasn’t very busy since we were there off-season in the morning. The grounds and the surrounding area are quite beautiful — any time of year, I’m sure.
Blarney Castle
In the photo below you’ll see how I got nicknamed “Blarney Lips” by my husband and the friend we were traveling with. I kissed the Blarney Stone; they did not. I had faith that the sanitizer applied to the stone between each kiss would be sufficient protection. Before my Blarney Stone experience, I didn’t realize that you kiss the stone by leaning backwards over the edge of the roof assisted by a guide. It’s a rather strange feeling, but I was very secure with my trusted guide holding on to me. I’m very glad that I kissed the stone, but I’m still waiting for the gift of eloquence to kick in.
Kissing the Blarney Stone
Without further ado — here’s to your health!
Cheers to you to (though admittedly it isn’t a guiness). What a great shot! I love the angle of the shot. So you did kiss the stone! Brave you! I didn’t realise you had to do it leaning backwards.
Thanks, Kerry-Ann. It was actually a lot of fun — I’d do it again!
A nickname from kissing the stone? LOL Happy St. Patrick’s Day !
Yep – I can’t remember which of them came up with it first, but they got a lot of enjoyment out of calling me that!
Yay! You’re on the same wavelength as me, Cathy. I put up a picture of St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin. Unfortunately, I didn’t make it to Blarney Castle or County Cork…Maybe next time. Happy St. Patrick’s Day to you!
Love it! Happy St. Patrick’s Day to you, too!
Beautiful photo. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Thanks very much. Happy St. Patrick’s Day to you, too!
Great photos. Isn’t great when you can get a major tourist attraction almost to yourself?! Happy St. Patrick’s Day – oh, and you already have the gift of eloquence. 🙂
Julia
Thank you so much, Julia — blushing here. 🙂 Yes, it’s wonderful whenever you can avoid the crowds at these places. It makes for a whole different experience.
I don’t see at all that you are missing the gift of eloquence. I can’t say how you talk, but in writing you are pretty eloquent (can one be eloquent in writing?)
Thanks, Inka — I will definitely take that as a compliment!
Lovely photos. Wonder how many people have kissed the Blarney Stone over the years.
That’s a good question, Leigh. Here’s what I found on sacredsites.com: “More than 300,000 people come to kiss the Blarney Stone each year”. But I couldn’t find historical numbers. Regardless, that’s a lot of kissers!
Love the castle photos! That’s one heck of a kiss. Hopefully something will come out of it for all your effort 🙂
Cool Pic Cathy… It is kind of scary hanging over the edge isn’t it? Without the bars underneath I would never have done it.
Striking such a pose, I’d say adventurous as well 🙂 Though I’m a bit concerned about the look on the guide’s face… 🙂
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