We had such a great time in Galway and in Killarney. We knew the trip was coming to a close but we still had more to see and do. Enjoy our final post about our trip to Ireland in 2024!
After a restful night, we planned to return to Dublin but made a few stops in Killarney first. One being a short hike to Torc Waterfall. This waterfall is around 80 feet. I had to touch the cool running water, and like mother, like daughter, Lizzy had to as well. While still in Killarney, we stopped at Muckross House to look around the grounds and the lake. The building started in 1839 and was completed in 1843.
We told Lizzy this morning that she was going to see a castle, and see a castle she did. She saw Blarney Castle. She was immediately impressed she kept pointing to the towers around and then saw the castle. As we got closer, she kept repeating “big castle.” She got even more excited when we actually went into the castle! Less excited that Michael carried her up the narrow spiral staircases and wouldn't let her walk them herself.
Now, obviously, Blarney Castle is known for the Blarney Stone and the kissing of this said stone. We did not have our 2-year-old kiss the stone since you have to lie on your back and lean deeply over the edge, but Michael and I did. Afterward, I kissed Lizzy right after to also give her the “gift of the gab” from the stone.
There are numerous stories about the stone but its fame is when MacCarthy of the day fended off the demands of Queen Elizabeth I. Here are the stories:
It is said to have been the stone used by Jacob as a pillow when he dreamed of a ladder extending to heaven. The stone was brought from the Holy Land after the Crusades.
Legend has that it was given to the MacCarthy Chieftain by Robert Bruce in thanks for support of 5,000 soldiers to Scotland to help him against Edward II and it was part of the Stone of Scone, on which the Kings of Scottland were inaugurated.
There is a story that Cormac McTaidg Laidir MacCarthhy the builder of the earliest part of the castle recused an old woman from drowning. This old woman turned out to be a witch and in gratitude told him that a stone in his castle had magic properties that he could benefit by kissing it.
A more romantic legend is one of the Queen of the Fairies in South Muster, who was the daughter of a leading druid. She fell in love with a young chieftain who broke her heart by not returning her love. He was killed in battle and she had found his body on the banks of the river Lee. His blood soaked into the stone and there she grieved having her tears joining his blood in the stone which she continually kissed. Her mourning caused her powers to be absorbed by the stone. This legend goes on further saying that Cormac MacCarthy was troubled and was advised by the Queen of the Fairies that this stone in his castle could resolve his problems if he kissed it. And so, it was. Cormac then moved the stone to be taken to the top of the castle, where it is today.
We really enjoyed watching Lizzy explore parts of the castle. We went into every room we could: the Chapel, Banqueting Hall, Family Room, young Ladies’ bedroom, and the murder hole. The latter room has a hole in the floor that allowed the lobby area to be covered in deadly fire in case the entrance was breached. We then went to the gardens, well mainly one garden: the Poison Garden. In this garden it has various poisonous plants that can be found in the wild and in their own garden. The site of this garden would have once also had a garden for medical and culinary purposes. Some of the poisonous plants in the garden were: Yew, Lily of the Valley, and catmint. We then made our way back around towards the dungeon (we couldn’t go in due to endangered bats) and to the Badgers Cave. We didn't venture too far into the cave as it had a few large puddles and we have a toddler who could not resist jumping in them.
We had lunch at The Mill Restaurant. We got a beef stew to share between the three of us and we all enjoyed it. From here we looked around Ireland's largest stop: Blarney Woollen Mills. It had numerous floors but we only looked at the first floor. While I was looking around, Lizzy came up to me with a bag and proudly showed off a sheep with a green and orange scarf (colors I learned on the trip were Kerry colors). Turns out Patrick, had bought this for her. After showing me, she ran off and showed everyone else in our tour group.
With a quick picture stop at Rock of Cashel, we made it to Dublin. We checked into our hotel, which Lizzy loved the mirror. We walked the streets of Dublin to the Christmas at the Castle. This where I finally got some mulled wine! Lizzy also got two galloping horse carousel rides, once with mommy and once with daddy. We also enjoyed some live music in the tent. We ate dinner here and also had dessert. It was a great way to end the evening.
A new day a new adventure and also our last day. Our tour guide/bus driver, Patrick, took us around Dublin. We started in Phoenix Park. We saw the Papal cross, which is where Pope John Paul II’s gave mass in 1979. Pope Francis also offered massed here in 2018. We also saw Wellington Monument. From here we drove by Trinity College, home of the Book of Kells. We were able to book a tour that day and were able to see the Old Library and the Book of Kells. The Book of Kells is an illuminated manuscript depicting the four gospels of the New Testament written in Latin. Lizzy was a bit antsy during this because it was so crowed that she couldn’t explore.
Luckily for her, our next stop was St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Church of Ireland. here was a self-guided narrated tour, but Lizzy wanted to listen to the hand-held devise so sadly I didn't get to listen. She was also on a scavenger hunt for the baby Jesus. We had to hunt down the stamps for the nativity to complete it. She would see the station and get excited that it was the baby, only to be disappointed that it was Joseph or a sheep. She was excited for Mary. It was a fun experience, and I did enjoy walking through the church. Fun fact: Jonathan Swift is buried there (author of Gulliver’s Travels). We ended our visit here with a quick play break in the playground at the Cathedral.
Patrick worked some magic to get us into the Guinness Storehouse. We got in, and Lizzy was asleep for the first bit of it while we got to immerse ourselves in the four ingredients that make the beer. She woke up and was immediately excited about the bubbles (we were in the hops room). We really enjoyed walking through the old advertising. There are places for lunch, and Lizzy was excited about her ice cream. At the top of the building is the Gravity Bar, which overlooks all of Dublin. You get to enjoy the views while drinking a pint of Guinness (obviously). We then said goodbye to Patrick.
Michael, Lizzy, Uncle Kevin, and I made our way to Smithfield Square for the Christmas Spectacular, where Lizzy really wanted to go on the Ferris Wheel. We agreed to go on it if we could look around the market first. Then we got in line, but Lizzy fell asleep against me and missed the whole ride. We ate a soup dinner at The Brazen Head, the oldest pub in Ireland (hmm, though we saw that in Athlone with Sean’s Pub... well, it was built in 1198). Lizzy woke up at the pub very confused and upset because she had no idea how we got there.
Then it was time to say goodbye to Ireland. It was a wonderful trip, and when Uncle Kevin said he is planning a northern route for 2025, we are definitely interested. We will see if the luck of the Irish holds for us in 2025 so we can return.
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