Sunset Ridge Hotel Blarney

... having taken architectural photography for him, a couple of phone calls later I was fortunate enough to be invited to join him as crew with his wife Aileen and Donal.<br><br>My wife Fie and three children Samantha, Jayme and Julie have been very supportive and have encouraged me sail away.<br><br>The overall rally consists of a fleet of 38 yachts which will depart from Rodney Bay St Lucia on 6 January 2010 ...

... are what one would imagine when thinking of Ireland. Kissing the Blarney Stone was a strange experience. As most of you know, you bend over backwards and kiss this stone. What I didn't know is that you are practically doing a back bend and could possibly fall down backwards. Luckily, there was a spotter there who was listening to a soccer game and took away from the ancient castle like feeling. <br><br>The previous two nights held a lot ...

I drove and drove and looked and looked and no where could I find a leprechaun in the Connemara Region on the west coast of Ireland. Being a wild region to the west of Galway with bogs, mountains and rugged Atlantic coastline I figured they may be hiding out there. Yesterday I drove up to Clifden on the main highway. This small market town is the starting point of the "Sky Road", an 11 km, motorcycle friendly route with a spectacular view of the Atlantic ...

... We chatted with the owner/brother Gary O'Connor who didn't seem all that surprised to have folks from NY in the pub and promised we'd "visit" Bobbie when we get back! (After all, a promise is a promise!) We have pictures. In fact, we have nearly 350 of them but don't worry we'll only put a few in here. But when we get to see you .... Love, Hersheytravel

... According to the legend, anyone who kisses the Blarney stone will be endowed with the "Gift of Eloquence." Unfortunately, Dad couldn't kiss the stone because his nose was too big, so I guess he won't receive the "Gift." I enjoyed our visit, despite the cold, rainy weather. The locals informed us that this kind of weather was highly unusual for summer.

Tipperary was a great place to visit and I'm glad I finally found it, after spending an hour in Tipperary I jumped back in the car and drove 70 km's down the road to a little town called Blarney and to visit the famous Blarney Castle and Blarney Stone. I got to Blarney Castle at 5.00pm and just before it was to close, so I went straight to the Castle to see and kiss the famous Blarney Stone. Walk around and entered ...

... it would be appropriate. In Cork, in the heartbreaking process of saying goodbye to my family, I was having seriously cold feet about embarking on my round-the-world travels, knowing full well I'll be gone for upwards of two years, if I ever came back at all! Now, these doubts have long-since vanished - melted by the hot bright sun of eastern climes, and I look forward to each day with unbridled enthusiasm. The ...

... forced her to slog up and down Cobh the whole morning. Being the loving and respectful grandkids we are we decided to break her by ending the day walking in the grounds of Blarney Castle. <br> <br>Of all the things to do in Ireland, kissing the Blarney Stone must be the top of all the mass tourist must-dos. And judging by the number of signs that direct visitors straight through the grounds to the top of the castle, it seems a fair ...

This trip is turning out to be such a whirlwind! We seem to bounce form one sight to the next, with not much time in between to spare! Unfortunately I am being very well behaved on this trip and not getting up to much mischief, as I usually do. Last night was spent cooking and relaxing, but this morning we got up early and headed to Blarney! Now Blarney is very exciting to me as it is where Blarney Castle is, and ever since I first heard about Ireland and ...

... think of green shamrocks and Guinness as well as the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Now I know that Ireland encompasses so much more. Even though the land mass is tiny compared to many other countries, the people and scenery have left an impression on me that will run long and deep. Yes, its true that everything is green here. It does rain a lot but how can you have a rainbow without the rain? I can't tell you how entrancing it is to have the sun ...