Where in the world are Gayle and Jim?

Another day we awoke to rain. So another day Jim elected not to golf and take me sightseeing instead. Thus we headed first to Lismore...

Lismore Castle on the Blackwater River. This is the Irish residence of the Duke of Devonshire; however, we were not permitted to tour the inside.

Jim waited in the car while I ran around in the rain having a look at things in this town...

The Lismore Heritage Center, pictured behind
the monument above, gave respite from the rain. It
offered an excellent history of the area and included
an ancient Irish manuscript.

Heading back to the car through the drizzle, I walked
through the Millenium Park.

From Lismore, we headed to Cahir and followed an extremely scenic road--I can only imagine how much lovelier it would have been with blue sky and sunshine!

The rhododendron were in full bloom...

...all along the road...

...covering the entire hillsides...

...so I was pretty awestruck--never have I seen such
beautiful rhododendron in such profusion!

Arriving in Cahir (pronounced like "car"), we had our picnic lunch in the car since it was still misting. We were at the visitors center and went in seeking information. To my amazement, I discovered there is an entire "Butler Trail" of castles since this area was a stronghold of the Butler Clan for over 600 years. It seems that one of the early Butlers was the Chief Butler for the English monarch in London. At that time, the term "butler" (from which the surname is derived) meant that this person was in charge of the wine cellars. It also meant that this person tasted all the wine that the king was to drink, thus preventing the king from being poisoned--now how's that for a job!! Up until rather recently, the Chief Butler served wine to the king at his/her coronation. So it was that one of the sons of this first Chief Butler was sent to Ireland to protect the king's interests here.

Cahir Castle on the River Suir was built in the 13th century. Acquired by James Butler in the 15th century, it was this family's stronghold and held by this dynasty for over 600 years.

We were given a tour and then time to look around on our own....

Butler coat of arms at the entrance
to the Castle....

Jim wandering around looking at the inside of the castle
walls...

A working portcullis!

The Great Hall--notice the Great Irish Deer mounted
on the far wall; these deer have been extinct for over
10,000 years.

The garderobe--aka toilet!

Another room inside the castle.

Our next stop on the "Butler Trail" was a visit to the "Swiss Cottage", also on the River Suir, and not far from Cahir Castle....

The path from the parking lot led to a bridge that crossed
the River Suir...

...and there was the "Swiss Cottage", built by Richard Butler in 1810.

Back of the cottage is as charming as the front...

While waiting for the inside tour, I roamed outside. We were not permitted to take pictures inside; however, I could easily look through the downstairs windows and take the pictures seen below:

The Salon--decorated with Parisian wallpaper.

Another picture taken from outside--this one of
the Music Room.

This spiral staircase led to the second floor...

A 1,000-year old Ewe Tree next to
the Swiss Cottage.

Leaving Cahir and continuing on the Butler Trail of castles, we headed for Carrick-on-Suir. Here was Ormond Castle, the best example of an Elizabethan manor house in Ireland. Ormond was built by Thomas Butler in the 1560's.

Jim's walking up the path to the entrance of Ormond
Castle....

After a guided tour--no pictures inside!--, we were free
to roam outside. Here is an interior courtyard.

These ruins, which adjoin the manor, are part of the
castle dating from the 14th century.

Since it was getting late in the afternoon, our castle visits came to an end and we headed back over the mountains to Dungarvan...

The Comeragh Mountains in the mist--a view from the road
between Carrick-on-Suir and Dungarvan.

A sheep on Comeragh Drive--a very narrow,
winding road off the main road.

Mahon Falls--seen from Comeragh
Drive.

Comeragh Drive--as we descend from the hills and
overlook the valley.

Back in Dungarvan, we pass this horse and buggy on the road leading to our "cottage"....

We left Dundee early on Monday, June 4, heading for Edinburgh airport. Checking in with Aer Lingus was an absolute nightmare!! The clerk told me that because my carry-on was overweight I'd have to check it--and pay $130 to do so. My response was: how come I didn't have this problem when I flew into Edinburgh?? Her response: that clerk wasn't doing her job! So after some wrangling (while the line waiting to check in got longer and longer), I finally went to another counter and paid the $130. But that's not the end of the story! Another couple behind me in line had the same situation and they told me to get a refund and let the clerk know that I was flying United back to the US. Seems that United and Aer Lingus don't communicate--nor do they communicate to their passengers! So I got my refund and, despite the hour delay fooling around with checking luggage--and being very upset in the process, we were on our way to Shannon, Ireland!

The weather upon arrival was delightful (one of the few days that it was); after picking up the rental car, we headed to the seaside town of Dungarvan on the southern coast, a trip that took us about two hours. We located the "cottage" where we were staying as guests of Joe Murray, one of Jim's golfing buddies. He took us into town and showed us around prior to having dinner at a local Chinese restaurant.

The next day, June 5, provided us with "Irish sunshine"--the liquid kind. Jim and I went grocery shopping; but late in the day--because it stays light until 10 p.m. here at this time of year--Jim and Joe went golfing. It was raining again on the morning of June 6, so Jim decided to go sightseeing with me. To our delight, it cleared up and the sun came out! So here we are in Blarney to see the castle....

Blarney Castle--built in the 15th century.

Jim at the entrance to the castle.

Looking down into the young ladies' bedchamber.

Reaching the top of the castle, we could look out
over the gardens.

Also at the top was a long line waiting to kiss the
Blarney Stone. Here is the attendant who assists
visitors who wish to do so.

Here is the attendant assisting a visitor who is kissing
the Stone--wonder if it will make her more eloquent??
Neither Jim nor I had any interest at all in doing this!!

Another view from the top.

This view from the top includes the town of Blarney.

Narrow circular stairway to descend
from the top; fortunately, another narrow
circular stairway was used to ascend!

On the way down, pausing to look at the lower two stories.

Near the bottom, looking at all three
stories--one can only imagine what it
was like with all the floorboards in
place. Notice at the top the line of
people waiting to kiss the Stone.

This is the "murder" hole--over the entrance to the castle. If you didn't like who was about to enter, you can shoot them with arrows, throw down rocks, or pour boiling liquid onto them--nice welcome!

Here you can see the three stories--
notice in the middle at the top there
is an opening--that's where folks
lean over backwards to kiss the Stone!

In the center opening, a closer shot of the place
where someone is lying there kissing the Stone!

Having covered the castle, we now followed a path through what they call the "Rock Close". It is a mystical place--site of an ancient druidic settlement. The trail took us through woods with strange looking trees and huge boulders--and quite hilly...

Pretty waterfall was seen soon after we entered
the Rock Close.

The "Dolmen" Rock--no one knows how it got here--
but sometimes it sways!

Jim about to ascend the
"Wishing Steps".

Jim at the "Witches Kitchen"--the "kitchen" is in the
cleft by the tree on his right.

As stated, the "Witches Stone"--
look closely, the right side of the
stone looks like a witch's profile.

Typical part of the trail we followed in the Rock Close.

Gayle in front of a rhododendron--
part of the trail was a boardwalk.

After lunch at one of their stands, we walked over to the Blarney House for a tour. The Blarney house is still occupied and is only open at times when the family is not in residence. Built in 1874, it is a Scottish baronial mansion. Inside picture taking was not permitted unfortunately because it was an exquisite home.

Jim approaching the Blarney House.

Gayle, once again in front of the rhododendrons--
after exiting Blarney House.

Having seen everything here that we wanted to see, we headed back to Dungarvan. And, because it stays light so long, we joined Joe for a round of golf at the Gold Coast Golf Club--most of the holes have a view of Dungarvan Harbour.

Joe and Jim on the first green.

A palm tree on a golf course--at this latitude???

This fairway overlooks Dungarvan Harbour; in the distance is Helvick Head. And on the other side of the Harbour, barely seen, is the home and pub of one of Joe's relatives. He had taken us there the previous afternoon.

Gayle teeing off with Helvick Head in the distance.

A view of the Harbour from one of the tees.

Joe putting while Jim watches.

More putting for Joe and Jim--Helvick Head in the
background.

Lovely coastline of Dungarvan Harbour
along the fairway.

Jim and Joe--just after teeing off over an arm of the harbour coming into the fairway. Fortunately, my tee was way up so I didn't have to hit over the water!