Blarney Woolen Mills

Our flight arrived in Shannon airport about 10:00 a.m. We collected our luggage and found the CIE tour desk. We were told to wait until our driver came and more people from the tour arrived. We waited for about 20 minutes. We met our driver/guide named Tony O'Callaghan. He was a very nice guy. He loaded our luggage onto the bus and we drove 15 min …

10.30 am Arrived at Cork Airport. Got directions to take the bus. Loved the buses because they accepted notes and gave change unlike England buses.

Arrived at Cork city. Took a wrong turn and took a detour to our hostel. Dropped bags. There begins the tour of the city.

Went down to the city centre. Walked about the main street. …

... was a great coffee shop, so I had a latte and caught up with the family on their outstanding wifi. I browsed through the Blarney Woolen Mills and was tempted by the fine Irish sweaters, but living in Dallas has changed me. We don't have the need for all ...

... destination, Blarney, encountering no rough waters at all!  Although most of our tour members took advantage of the Blarney Woolen Mills shopping mecca, I zipped over to the Blarney Castle and walked up the 100 winding and slippery (aka 'slippy' ...

... and in many cases, no street signs.  Makes it a real challenge to find where you're going.  We go to the Blarney Woolen mills and Neil bags a bargain, a new wet weather jacket.  We head to Muskerry Arms hotel for a beer and a meal.  ...

Blarney Castle, bus tour, shopping at Blarney Woolen ...

... the street to the Blarney Woolen Mills, because we have 45 minutes before the next bus to Cork arrives.  The Blarney Woolen Mills are stocked with Aran sweaters, Irish linen, wool scarves, wool hats, and any Irish souvenir you could want.  We ...