Blarney Castle

Last weekend we decided on a whim to drive to Cork with Tom and Missy to check out the city and see the Blarney Castle.  It's only a 2.5 hour drive from Dublin and Tom has a car so we were happy to jump in and check it off the list!

Cork was...nice.  Bustling Irish city with a small towny feel.  Lots of pubs and bars and restaurants and good food, and a pretty river runs right through town.  Several people have told me that they absolutely LOVE Cork and I...didn't.  I mean it was fine and I'm glad I went.  But I don't think it's the most charming place I've ever been.  But it served it's purpose for a fun weekend and here are some pics from the Blarney Castle!

The Blarney Castle was built in the 1400s by Cormac MacCarthy, a cheiftan leader in the old days.  The legend has it that ol' Cormac was on his way to talk to the queen about having his land taken away, and an old woman told him to kiss this particular stone in Blarney Castle.  He did, received the "gift of gab", and won back the rights to his land.  The "gift of gab" basically means great eloquence or skill at flattery - and it's been a big deal ever since.  

The grounds are really gorgeous - tons of greenery, small creeks, caves, gardens, lakes, etc.  It was drizzling pretty much the whole time we were there so we couldn't see as MUCH as we wanted, but we still saw some beauty.  

The place was all decked out from Halloween and this huge Grim Reaper greeted us in the main hall.

So...you ascend this tiny ass winding staircase all the way to the very top of the castle and then...lie down and lean back.

It's scary.  I made Drew go first.  

I talked a big game, like I wasn't scared, but then you're leaning over this precipice with nothing under you except 2 thin steel bars, it's unsettling.  

Nostril shot.

That's....the ground.  From way up.   Ahhh!

Pretty mansion on the grounds.

Missy and I

Inner courtyard

Irish fall foliage

Engagement pics!  Or that's what it felt like the rest of the day for both of us!  

Creepy caves under the castle!  

We ate brunch at a delicious place and had a lovely dinner, and went to a seaside town called Cobh for some seafood chowder, and drove back by Sunday afternoon.  It was a fun weekend with friends and now I evidently have the gift of gab and flattery.  Cheers!