Our weekend journey through Ireland started on a three day tour on a bus. We drove three hours to the Rock of Cashel in Cork, Ireland. It was an old church with a graveyard attached to it and we walked around for about an hour before heading back on the bus.
Next on our adventure was Blarney Castle which was truly as site to see. It a serene place where we got to go all the way up to the top of the castle itself. The stair leading to the top were so narrow and broken that I wasn't sure I would fit and make it all the way up. There were different rooms you could go into and secret paths. It was so old I couldn't believe it was still standing. We got to the top where I got to kiss the Blarney Stone for good luck!:)
We walked around the park for awhile and I felt like I was in a magical forest in a movie. The moss was covering every inch of the land, branches and trees. There were walk ways and small waterfalls all around while we ventured on the grounds. We came across the wishing steps in one of the gardens. It is foretold that if you close your eyes and walk down the steps and back up the steps thinking of a wish in your head the whole time that in one year it would come true. Of course I had to give it a try. I'm not sure if it worked or not but I guess we will find out in a year!! We walked through a poison garden which is something I have never experienced before. In the garden, I found Wolfsbane and Mandrake which I didn't know were real but they are used in the Harry Potter movies!
In the heart of the Castle gardens lies the magnificent sight of the fern garden. I followed a grassy path lined with wild flowers and I found myself on a limestone cliff overlooking the ferns. Next we went under the castle into the caves which were dark, damp and small. I had to crouch down at one point just to fit! After we finished at Blarney Castle we got back on the bus and waiting to see what was next. We ended up driving by this beach where we stopped and took a few photos where I got some truly amazing shots.
Last on our bus trip for the day was the small Village of Dingle where we were staying the night at the Grapevine Hostel. We went for dinner where I treated myself and got steak and a glass of wine. It was the first time I have had steak since I arrived in Europe and let me say it was much needed. The meal was good but nothing could even beat my dads steak at home. We woke up the next morning and went to the Ring of Kerry. The Ring of Kerry is probably my second favorite place in this world. (nothing will ever beat the lakehouse) This one was a close second though. It felt like I was I was looking at something that couldn't possibly exist. The fog coming over the green grass hills and the water hitting the rocks along the cliffs.
The next few hours consisted of chasing sheep in a field, Mitch swimming in a no win zone and stopping to get bangers and mash! Then we took a little walk between mountain passes where I had a delicious slice of apple pie.
After we headed to Killarney waterfall which was insane! We tried not to fall in the water while climbing on the rocks to get a good picture! Turns out it was totally worth it!!!
Then we went to the Killarney National Park and stayed for only a half hour. It was raining and cold and it was time to head to Neptune's Hostel in the Village of Killarney. I decided not to go out because I really wanted to get a good nights rest but ended up not getting any at all. People were coming in and out all night long and making so much noise. We woke up bright and early and headed out to the Cliffs of Moher.
It was the windiest day I have ever experienced. I actually couldn't take a step forward at one point because I wasn't strong enough. My friend Nichole actually got lifted off the ground! It was really insane! I was terrified for my life to even walk any where near the cliff side. This is a picture of the place where I to blown completely over and lost my favorite beanie that got blown off the cliff.
We headed back to Dublin but stopped at Galway for a hour to check out the town. It was a really lively town and I for sure want to go back and spend the night there before I leave Ireland. The whole weekend was a success and it was great to spend the weekend with all my friends.