Kissing Stones in Cork

Tuesday March 20th
So, we arrived in Cork with half of our group. Emma, Ashley, Kelcie and I were the ones to make it on the plane. If you want to know how it happened, read on. If not, skip to following paragraph. So, about the group splitting up: we had an hour bus to catch at 7AM, which we were told by our hostel we can buy our tickets on the bus. We get there in plenty of time, try to get on the bus, and the driver wouldn't let us buy the tickets on the bus! We had to buy them online, so ran around for a few blocks for the closest hotel to get internet and print off our tickets. Caroline and I were sent on the goose chase, and it took us 5 minutes to order and print the tickets, and by the time we RAN back to the bus stop, the bus had left. Next bus was in 20 minutes. SO we got onto that bus, and thanks to all the olympic construction and rush hour traffic, instead of our bus taking less than an hour, it took us an hour and a half, which made us an hour later than anticipated. 20 minutes until take off, Liz and Kate were too late to check their giant suitcase, and Caroline accidentally booked her flight for the wrong day. So that left Ashley, Emma, Kelcie, and I... sprinting through the airport past 45 gates to be the last ones in line for our flight, and no idea how we were going to meet up with the 3 other girls. Welp, to Ireland we go!

I have never seen more green in my life!! Even the misty rain and clouds couldn't hide all of it. We hopped off the plane and into a cab with the funniest guy from France, who was originally from Uganda, and thought our accents were funny and that we were from Holland. I don't think I've ever had someone laugh at me so much... maybe I was so excited to be in Ireland I was asking dumb questions (Emma and Kelcie can add to this I'm sure). He dropped us off right in front of our hostel, the Aaron House, and a bubbly lady named Tracy greeted us as the door with her very old and blind cocker spaniel, Riley. She gave us enough information about Cork and Blarney and Kilarney that would last us a years worth of traveling it felt like. It was only 10AM, and because we left before breakfast was served, we made way into the city of Cork to find a place for brunch.

Stumbled onto the Windsor Inn and Cafe, and the locals had already started drinking! I did not have a beer with my toastie (a ham and cheese sandwich, and chips), but Ash and Kelcie did. Some of the locals came up and talked to us and it was not like when creepy Italians come up to talk to you; they actually were very nice and welcoming! The oldest one pipped up after a few minutes, and with only 4 teeth said he had been to Cape Cod once. Never a lull in conversation with the Irish! Haha we left after a bit, and decided to take a short nap and make way to the Blarney Castle! Kate had texted Kelcie saying they were going to meet us in Galway the next day, and Caroline had rebooked another flight and would be in Cork later in the afternoon. So we were all going to be back together by tomorrow, a good sign! Our naps ended up being 3 hours long, still mid afternoon, but hopped on the city bus to Blarney Castle where we would meet Caroline.

Walked around the Castle grounds for an hour and a half and then we see Caroline running towards us with her backpack still on and so happy to see familiar faces! Now, a group of 5, went to explore our first castle of the trip! Blarney Castle, home of the Blarney stone that, if you kiss it, brings you eloquence, or ability to be a charming and persuasive talker. We explored the jail, King/Queen sleeping quarters, the "ladies in waiting" room that was right next to the priest's room, as well as the dining hall and other random little spaces. I have no idea how people could have slept in little rooms like that, they were the size of a king size bed! The spiral staircases were very steep and narrow, and the rain made it slippery. Made me wonder how many people fell down (or up) those stairs after royal parties. The dining hall was also missing a roof, but we could see parts of the original paintings above the fireplace.

The last part of the castle to see was the Blarney Stone, well, not just see it but kiss it, too! It was awkward because there was a worker that had to kind of hold you while you laid on your back, scooted over a big gap upside down and kiss the stone below. If that's confusing, I put a picture of my kissing it. Not sure if it actually worked but something to cross off my bucket list!








The Blarney Castle had a huge area of land with walking trails, giant trees, flowers, and cottages. We only had about an hour to walk around the grounds before it closed, so we got to see the tulip field, Arboretum, horse stables, old well, guard tower, and the forest! Another cool thing about the castle grounds was that there were little creeks everywhere. Reminded me of 4th of July in Stillwater, except there was a lot more moss in Ireland and not so many mosquitoes. Spent a good few minutes looking for 4 leaf clovers, too, but no luck! Time to head out, after tossing some coins into the creek on our way out for good luck. Went to a little pub by the bus stop and had some Irish goat cheese and scones, caught our bus, and back into Cork we went!

So, every restaurant and pub closed the kitchens right at 8. Unlike Italy where places don't open until 7, we were SOL on having a real dinner. So, instead we went to Oliver Plunkett's Pub where there was a live cover band (the only music we listened to the entire time in Ireland), and had my first pint of Guiness! That filled me up along with the scone, and after such a full day of traveling and stone-kissing, we were all passed out by 10PM. We had an 8:30AM bus to catch to Killarney, and a quick good-bye to Cork. Well, for now anyways since we flew out of Cork in 4 days. Yay! Obsessed about Ireland already. Much love, AF