Thursday 6 July

We visited Blarney castle. Not part of the 'Heritage site system' so we had to shell out another 10 pounds entry fee but well worth it. (And, essential as it is after all 'supposedly', the seat of my McCarthy heritage)!

Blarney Castle

View from higher level of Castle

The castle was interesting, the grounds beautiful. The morning was cool and overcast but not raining.

We climbed to the top of the castle but both declined to 'kiss the blarney stone'! The views from all sides were remarkable, whether looking down to the village, across to the 'new castle' or manor house or out to the mountains over an emerald patchwork quilt. We bought postcards and a tea towel for each of our girls.

Next we checked out the Blarney Woollen Mills. I was disappointed here as I expected to see factory production but instead found the biggest tourist-shopping complex imaginable. Certainly an incredible variety of Irish produce- wool, leather, hats crystal etc.

Blarney Castle Manor House

We decided to head back down the coast and follow it across to the west. This meant negotiating Cork City again which was horrific (again)! We finally made it to Kinsale Harbour.

Negotiating this village was worse than Cork City. A 17/18^th century village with rows of 2 story houses on each side of narrow, winding, hilly streets barely wide enough for 2 cars, yet with cars parked along the way! Many streets were one way traffic and if a delivery truck or van was ahead...Trouble! Once again, very badly sign posted! One strange thing here...or another one... speed is calculated at Miles per hour MPH but distance is at KPH! Confusing at times to say the least.

We finally headed around the coast and it was really beautiful. Lots of peninsulas with views across the bays. Although still overcast, the 'light' was really beautiful on the patchwork quilt hills and horizon views down the harbour. We didn't know 'how the camera would see it' but we took lots of photos!

Kinsale Harbour

Once again, if we could concentrate on the buildings while negotiating these narrow streeted coastal villages, we were taken by their town pride.

Beautiful colours and potted gardens. Geraniums, fuschias and hydrangeas abounded. Our landlady last night said the secret was regular feeding...she does hers with liquid manure, religiously every 10 days. It is probably also the evenness of summer temperatures.

Timoleague, County Cork

No cold nights, very even day/night temperature ranges. Also there is a high peat moss content in the soil mixtures.

We saw many more ancient ruins including a 15^th century Franciscan Priory at Timoleague.

Tonight we are staying at 'Cambria' B&B at Clonakilty. Our hosts are Kathleen and Jerry O'Donoghue.

'Cambria' Kathleen & Jerry O'Donoghue

off Western Road Clonakilty

Ph 023 33625 E-mail: kathleenodonoghue21@eircom.net

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