Sounds like you couldn't have ordered nicer weather. When you have to use the a/c in the car (or are looking for it at the lodgings) you know it is warm in Ireland.

Glad you are having a good time. Where is Cara Castle? Could it be Cabra?

Sorry  -  I was a little Dazed and Confused!

We visited CLARA Castle -- just outside of Kilkenny.

This AM, we toured ST. Candace's Cathedral and Round Tower.  The Mrs. even joined me on the climb to the top -- despite her mild claustrophobia!  She felt the views were Totally worth it!  Leaving there, we  Aghuaviller Round Tower, communed with the effigies at Knocktopher and meandered into St. Mullins.

Delishous lunch at the riverside café nearby (about 2 PM) and then set of to our Self-catering at Ivy Bridge Cottage.  It's as lovely as we remember it and Ellis as delightful as ever!  Checked in about 6 and did a quick grocery run.  Another delightful, WARM day!

Tomorrow, it will be Lunch wih the Cousins!!!!

You're entitled to be dazed and confused on the first couple of days in Ireland. Jet-lag does strange things to people. Thanks for clarifying the castle. I thought there was something I had missed in Ireland.  I was racking my brain for Cara Castle. 

I was in St. Mullins on the last trip. Very interesting ruins and cemetery there. Enjoy lunch with the cousins and your cottage.

Will sure make the Black Stuff taste and go down good!

Monday we spent the day chasing genealogy -- Townlands in North Cork and Kerry.  Saw the plot of land where wife's GREAT-Grandmother was born and raised!  Spoke with the wife of the current owner of the land.  He is actually a VERY distant relation - his Grandfather was first cousin to my wife's Grandfather!  Seems the 'Knocked' the old house about 25 years ago and built a large shed/barn on the spot . . .  

Still, we took photos and stood on 'Hallowed Ground'!   

Visited a number of Cemeteries -- Ballydesmond, Nohaval (an ancient Monastic site that ONCE featured a Round Tower!), Rathmore and Drishane.  Met the Priests in Ballydesmond and Rathmore -- BOTH of whom were Friendly, helpful and Interested in our research -- a FAR cry from years past!!!!  Rathmore is actually ACTIVELY engaged in a Comprehensive cataloging effort of ALL headstones that they hope to complete in the next few months.  In Ballydesmond, we were offered access to the Church Registers!

Ate Lunch at 'Bob's Bar' in Ballydesmond -- Because it would be WRONG to violate Pete McCarthy's First Law!  

Tuesday -- even warmer and with virtually NO clouds at all! -- We spent the morning puttering about the Cottage and shopping in Mallow.

Tuesday dawned (although we slept WELL past the dawning of the day!) as ANOTHER bright sunny day.  We made our way into Mallow around 1 PM for a visit the the Heritage Center - only to discover that they are closed until 22 June, do to 'Staff Holidays'!  Will have to revisit there, AFTER the Lads have returned home . . .
We grabbed a late lunch at the Springfort Cafe that was SO good that my wife decided that THEY would 'Catering' our planned 'get-together'with some of the Cousins at our cottage on Wednesday!  There is NO cooking when on Holidays -- Self-Catering, or not!

After lunch, we headed into and through Cork City to the Passage West Ferry.  Since the opening of the Jack Lynch Tunnel, we have NEVER had occassion to take the ferry and I felt we were LONG over due.  Five Euro and five minutes later, we were in Cobh.  We strolled at liesure and visited the Cathedral -- The CLIMB, up and back, satisfying our WEEKLY exercise requirement!
Departing Cobh, we meandered up to Barryscourt Castle to discover that, although you CAN tour the grounds and gardens, the Castle itself is CLOSED due to restoration work necessary because of damages sustained during the severe winter storms!  Current plans are for the Castle to remain closed throughout 2014!

We made our way to Watergrasshill via Midelton about 5:30, to attend a Cook-Out/BBQ/Celebration for completion of the Leaving Cert Exams held at one of the Cousins for her daughter that lasted until 10 PM.  And yet, we drove home to the Cottage in DAYLIGHT!

 

 

Looks like the tourists are not the only ones enjoying the warm weather in Ireland. Fortunately basking sharks only eat plankton.

Welcome back Bob. Hope you had a good trip. How many round towers did you hit this time? I see you were in St. Mullins. I was there last time too. Interesting place. But aren't they all?

Unfortunately the cafe at St. Mullins was closed when we were there. Midges I've encountered and even clouds of flies but never hornets. Good thing the windows were closed indeed. And the Irish say they don't need screens on their windows? Hmmm....