Ireland - tuesday

Good evening from Dublin.  We have had some exciting adventures along the way today.  After breakfast at the hotel this morning we loaded the bus and traveled to Blarney where we visited the Blarney Castle and Gardens.  This is a 60 acre area filled with sights such as the Rock Close and Water Garden, home to the wishing steps where you go down and up the steps backwards with your eyes closed and only thinking of one wish.  If this is achieved, your wish will come true within the next year.  The Poison Garden just as it sounds.  It is a garden filled with many poisonous plants from around the world.  Some of these plants include the Wolfsbane and the Mandrake which you may know from the Harry Potter movies.  

The main sight at this location is the Blarney Castle which was built in 1446.  You can enter the castle on ground level and make your way through and all the way to the top, outside where you can kiss the Blarney Stone.  In order to do this, you lay on your back, grab 2 metal bars, and pull yourself over the edge of the castle and kiss the stone.  Many kids and adults did this on the trip so be aware.  Kissing the stone is said to give you the gift of gab. We may be a more talkative bunch when we return home.  

Next stop is the Rock of Cashel also known as St. Patrick's Rock.  This is a Medieval group of buildings high above the town dating back to the 12th century.  We spent time visiting the castle and grave sites and giving a couple of impromptu concerts along the way.

We ended the night with dinner at Leopardstown Inn about a ten minute walk from the hotel.  It was a very good meal but we are all tired after another long day of making memories.  

Tomorrow is concert day.  I will have be live-streaming the concert which begins at 1:15 pm (7:15 am Springfield time).  Enjoy the concert as you get ready for work tomorrow morning and begin your day with these wonderful kid's voices.  This is only the Kickapoo choir in concert.  

One more day in Dublin before our long journey home.  So for now.....

Good night from Dublin,
Kristin