 |
| Blarney Castle |
By the way, if you do take advantage of room service, be sure to write in everything you would like. Cream and sugar with coffee, butter and jam, etc. Also it’s a good idea to tell them how many people for silverware settings. I have seen trays left outside the cabin door on the passageway floor (as is the case in a hotel, except there it’s a hallway). While this does clean some cabin space it’s a hindrance for walking and especially scooter-ing. Your steward will take care of it or room service will return for it. Don’t forget; tip the tray person a few bucks, maybe more if you had a good night in the casino.
At seven this morning we arrived and docked in Cobh/Cork, Ireland. I will rely on Celebrity Today to help me explain some of the local history. The area was first settled in the seventh century. It was known as Queenstown from 1849 until 1922, after independence the name Cobh (pronounced cove) was reclaimed. Constellation is docked in what is considered one of the best natural harbors in Europe. Through the 1950’s Cobh was the final stop for many oceanliners making the way west across the Atlantic, Titanic among them.
Cork City is located in County Cork. It is Ireland’s third largest city and located about twenty-five miles outside Cobh. Just north of the city is the town of Blarney, home of the castle and it’s most famous stone. We will be going to Blarney Castle and the Blarney Woolen Mills this morning. The lunch and afternoon hour will find us in the small fishing town of Kinsale, the gourmet capitol of Ireland.
Soon after breakfast the ship was cleared and we started out on our days adventure. This was another of the many places our activities had been researched, planned, and organized by a friend. All we had to do was "pay our money" and get on the bus. This was the longest, furthest, and most involved vacation we had ever done, I can’t thank the organizers enough for all the work they did. Their efforts made us feel so much more secure, giving us more time to enjoy the surroundings.
We met our bus at 7:30am dressed for what was a cool, sometime light rainy day. This was the perfect weather (our opinion) for our adventure to and in Blarney Castle. We had a short wait as some of the group came down without rain gear or jackets. Our first stop, Blarney Castle opened at 9am so we had plenty of time. We had now been onboard several days so the cruise "chatter" kept us occupied while waiting. The map states the Castle is about twenty-five miles out, like everywhere else the traffic was very, very heavy. We were on a freeway type road and the surrounding landscapes were spacious, green and able to occupy us throughout the drive.
We arrived in the parking area just before 9 when the Castle opened. This was great timing, besides us there were just a few groups waiting. I can’t imagine what this must be like in the heart of the tourist season. A little Blarney "history." The castle originally dates before 1200, was destroyed in 1446 and rebuilt by Dermont McCarthy, the King of Munster. I think he had close ties with the cheese but was no relation to Herman.
Elizabeth I (that's Liz the First, not I) coveted the property for strategic reasons and referred to McCarthy’s continued and many excuses for keeping the property as "Blarney" which literally meant pleasant talk-meant to deceive without offending. Kissing the stone (which is rumored to have been created by a witch in the Middle Ages) bestows the "gift of eloquence."
We were among the first group to enter the castle. The now low gray sky was filled with large "puffy" clouds that made a shroud like canopy for the highest parts of the castle. . The climb up the narrow, spiral stone staircase of the castle tower gave me the illusion we would soon be up and into those clouds. The "steps" were carved out of what looked like solid rock. There was a thick rope affixed to the right side wall that helped me pull myself up. On the way up I was thinking I hoped the way down would be easier. We were very, very careful as the stairs were slightly wet, eventually we made it to the top and were amazed at the glorious view. This was truly a beautiful country. It’s no wonder the name the Emerald Isle, as the green rolling are so lush they resemble a down comforter. The grazing dairy cows here must eat what’s considered the finest grass in the world. Wanda and our friends Dennis and Sheryl all kissed the stone. I passed as I was having a hard enough time due to the height without getting on my back with my head over the edge.
The castle is but one of the attractions of the area. The grounds have a large lake and garden a Rock Close ( which is a rock garden) and even a five bedroom, three bath house you can rent for five thousand euros a month. If you aren’t ready for the month the eight-euro admission will serve you well.
We planned on three hours in this area, would have loved more but that’s the nature of cruising as well as group excursions. The plans are always trying to find something for everyone within the allotted time and we understand that. I think the fun and camaraderie of being with many friends overshadows any shortcomings. It was around 11am, we were a short walk to the large beautiful brick building that housed the Woolen Mills, a restaurant, and what looked like a great hotel. This was another of the several hotels Wanda and I both fantasized about spending a week or so visiting.
I’m not much of a shopper but I don’t mind browsing, touching things, looking at price tags and waiting for Wanda. She is what I would call a determined shopper, she knows who she is buying for, what they would like, and is reasonable about time and prices. We don’t play the lottery so I guess this will be our pattern for a long time. If you have time I suggest you take a look at a web site for the mill. It was two floors and very large. I remember seeing one small area that had the "typical tourist type souvenirs." The majority of the two floors were filled with jewelry, men and women’s clothing. Silver crystal, sports wear as well as various food packages. Blankets sheets, and scarves. It was so nice to pick up items, read the tags and actually see goods made in Ireland. The selections were many, the quality super, and the prices reasonable. I purchased something for myself, a retro rugby jersey.
After our visit kissing and shopping we took off for Kinsale. This was another of the very charming places we visited. It’s a good thing it was a weekday as it’s one way in, one out. Our driver Ian told us a weekend day can take an hour or more to find a place to park.
We split up; several headed over to Fishey-Fishey, a seafood place. Wanda and I got some "take-away" coffee walked the streets and did a lot of looking and window-shopping. Eventually we found a small place and had tomato soup with brown bread and a BLT. The bread was heavy and very filling. We were due back at the bus at 2pm for the ride back. It was starting to rain some so we made our way back about thirty minutes early, the bus was locked, no Ian in sight. We walked back down the street to a local hotel, took refuge under their awning. Eventually everyone in the group discovered our "shelter" and joined us. We were all ready to go but still no Ian. While waiting, one of the guys had to use a washroom (as they are called there) he went into the hotel thinking there would be a public room in the lobby. He didn’t find one but did find the unoccupied rooms open. Can you believe that? A nice lobby in a good size hotel, room doors open as if to say, come on in, take a look. Ireland, what a country.
We made it back to Connie around 3:30 or so. The ship was scheduled to sail at 5. There was a large Heritage Center right near the terminal. I needed my afternoon nap so went back to the ship; Wanda went over to the center for a short visit. Cobh is a small really cute area that you will see when you check the pictures. A beautiful church is located here and I should mention a train runs from the cruise dock into Cork, a short twenty five-minute ride.
Back onboard from 4 to 4:30 the Cork Irish Dance Company performed in the Celebrity Theater. Wanda went (I slept), said they were all school kids, very cute, and very good. Eight years ago today we saw "Spirit of the Dance" in the Eldorado Hotel, Reno. I enjoy the style and should have kicked myself, gotten up and gone. A bad habit is sleeping too much on the cruise.
We pushed out at 5pm and began our journey across the Atlantic. Tonight was casual night. After four days of ports and a couple in London we were all ready for casual AND a day, make that three, at sea.
The entertainment this evening, Elliot Finkel, a piano entertainer performed at 7 and 9, we didn’t make it. On night five of the dinner merry-go-round we had six at our table for eight. It was a fun evening and we finished dinner late, around 10:45 which was the starting time for the Newlywed etc. game up in the bar at the edge of the Earth. I guess we might sound like dull people? Neither of us care for the type of humor generated from this type of entertainment but we wanted to get some pictures of the Chocolate Lovers’ Buffet, scheduled 11:30 to 12:30am. This was the third one of these we’ve seen and that’s as far as we have gotten. They were running late that night and even if we hadn’t eaten an hour ago I don’t think we would have stayed. These are usually very crowded with the set up in a small area of the bar.
 |
| Town of Cobh |
This night, we set the clock back an hour and hit the sack around twelve. Tonight we would fall asleep while Constellation continued her journey to St. John’s, Newfoundland, one thousand fifty five nautical miles away.
No comments:
Post a Comment