Dear Luke and Leia,
Our journey through Ireland included investigating our Irish family roots. After a stop to see the Rock of Cashel (Saint Patrick was there) our trek led us south to Cobh. That is where the matriarch of our family left for McKeesport, Pennsylvania aboard the SS Majestic.
Next we will visit the Dingle peninsula on our way to meet our cousins, who still live in the family home town of Clifden, County Galway. But first up on our trip is the pretty seaside town of Kinsale.
Kinsale
This was a great choice for our first experience of what Ireland has to offer. Kinsale is a charming, colorful town hugging the coastline of Ireland’s Celtic Sea. Each of the buildings were painted in a different color. The day we arrived there was a music festival in the main town square giving way to mass consumption of Irish beer. Not that that we needed any reason to partake in that tradition.
Cobh
Cobh has a very colorful city center and a bustling harbor area. The seaside port was wonderful, full of working fishing boats and pleasure craft alike. A Gothic church named St. Colman’s Cathedral dominates the city, but that’s not what it’s known for. Queenstown was famously the final port of call for the RMS Titanic, when she set out across the Atlantic on her ill-fated maiden voyage.
The Queenstown Story
Our main interest in Cobh was in seeing The Queenstown Story exhibit. It was so interesting to see history of our family opening before our eyes. The best part was seeing a cross-section of the ship that carried my great-grandmother (your great-great-great-grandma) to America.
Blarney Castle
Blarney Castle (in Irish: Caisleán na Blarnan) is a medieval castle dating from around 1200. It was destroyed in 1446 and rebuilt by the Lord of Muscry, who was known for his persuasiveness. Although the castle and grounds are stunningly beautiful, its main attraction is the Blarney Stone, at the top floor of the castle.
According to legend, kissing the stone endows the kisser with the gift of gab. Considering I had no need for eloquence, I stood by and watched Uncle Jimmy kiss the stone. He remained eloquent for the remainder of the trip.
Blarney Castle gardens
The grounds surrounding Blarney Castle are very much worth the time to tour. There are numerous trees, a boardwalk through marshlands and a nice little waterfall to see. Take the time to walk the grounds and you will be nicely rewarded. Nana says the gardens are so enchanting that it is easy to see why people believe in fairies and leprechauns.
We had a wonderful time but it is time to jump in the car and head off to our next stop.
Love,
Nana and Pap
♥
P.S. – If you have Pinterest you can click the top left of any photos in our story to add them to your Pinterest boards. We would actually like that a whole lot.
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