We set off from Kenmare in clouds, drizzle and fog.  Kind of like winter in S. Calif.  Michelle had us routed to Glengariff through soime spectacular scenery.  At least,  I"m sure it was spectacular, but we were in clouds and fog the whole route.  Even had fog in the tunnels.  Good reason to return!  At Glengariff we caught the short boat ride over to Ilnacullin garden on Garinish Island.  The ride took us by seals posing on the rocks.  The garden is wonderful, one would not expect something ike it to be where it is.  We loved exploring it. 

Back to the mainland we went on our way to Bantry and Bantry House.  When we went to buy our tickets we were advised the house was closed becaus of a chamber music festival, but for 5 Euro we could tour the gardens.  We payed the money and did the gardens, including the 100 steps with it's glorious view of the Bay.  It was lunch time while we were there so we availed ourselves of the tea room.  We found a table on the glass verandah and then found we could watch and hear a trio practicing.  Serendipity again.

We traveled on to Kinsale with a stop at Timoleague Friary.  We had the place to ourselves.  It is just amazing to us that we are allowed to clamber in and out of these places with no restrictions.  While we were there a family came along with a load of white chipped gravel and whole family, including children worked at filling in the gravesite of family,  We were greatly tuched by the attention given to graves everywhere we went.

We ate at Dino's in Kinsale and then walked around a while.  By this time we had experienced a lot of fog and drizzle and were longing for some sun.  I think it colored our impression of the town and we decided to go back to our B&B and sulk.  The next morning erased all the nasty vibes by dawning  bright and sunny and beautiful.  We trekked up to John's Fort and looked over to Charles Fort our next destination.  Charles Fort is very interesting and we enjoyed our tour and then our time on our own.  I had just finished reading Frank Delaney's  Ireland and it was fascinating seeing places and learning the history of places referred to in hisi book. 

We left Charles Fort and traveled to Blarney.  Sondra and I had seen in, but Paul had not and we knew folks at home would ask him about it.  We didn't avail ourselves of the stone, did a cursory trip through the castle and then walked about the grounds.  It seems they are working on getting Blarney House ready to open for tours.  It might be a good addition to the castle.  While we were there we met a wedding party traipsing around the grounds.  The women in very high heels, the bride in a voluminous white dress and the groomsmen carrying bottles of champagne.  They did make it back to the castle, but I'm not sure how the women did it in the shoes they were wearing and after more than enough champagne. 

We had perhaps the best meal of our trip in Kinsale at Vintage.  The food and the atmosphere were excellent.

Next morning we were on our way to Cobh and the Queenstown story museum.  We drove right by the little ferry, but Gloria showed us the error of our ways, and we turned around just in time to drive on.  We thought the museum to be very well done, it covered a lot of history.  It was then over to Midleton and one of the highlights of the trip for Paul, the distillery  They run tours every half our ofor so and we didn't have long to wait.  Thought we would ship home somthing to dad, but found the only Jameson's  which was not available in the US could not be shipped; so we bought two bottles to go in the checked luggage.  It made it fine.

Afternoon was spent traveling to Cashel via the Vee and it's wonderful view of the Tipperary plain.  Don't know whether we were getting tired of our time on the road, but our first evening at Cashel wasn't nice at all.  We had our minds set on Ryan's Daughters for dinner, but it was closed.  We got there too late to make reservations at the Bru Boru Center, or Cafe Hans.  We finally tried the Castle Hotel.  The very proper lady at the restauant took one look at us folorn travelers and allowed as she had no room without reservations.  I think all tree of us whined and she took pity on us, sent us to the pub down the hall where a wonderful older gentleman told us he would take good care of us.  He did!  After the Guinness was put on the table, he took our orders and we felt almost human. 

The next morning we toured the rock.  Paul and I are great ister Fildema fans.  We also stopped in the TI and found the latest book in the series.  Not available over here yet.  We then went down to Cahir and decvided to walk from the castle parking lot to the Swiss Cottage.  Had no clue it was a longish trip down there.  The fact that it was raining probably made the walk seem longer.  The Cottage was well worth it though and the walk back didn't seem near as lomg.  We also did the castle.  Dinner was back in Cashel at Brian Boru's and we began to feel much better about Cashel.

Next morning, on to Bunratty, our last stop.