The Morgans Go European

June 1, 2018 Blarney Castle, St. Colman's Cathedral, The Titanic Experience in Cobh,
The Creamery Pub Live Music

With the end of the trip rapidly approaching, we made a big day of it. It began with Blarney Castle. The trip had a two-fold purpose, a Cladah ring for Grace's birthday, and of course, some kissing!

Blarney Castle: This magnificent castle was built in 1200 AD near the present town of Blarney. Positioned near the River Martin, it was a medieval stronghold. When the castle was destroyed in 1446, the present castle was built on the same site by one of Ireland's great chieftains, Dermot McCarthy, King of Munster and Lord of Blarney.

Walking up to Blarney Castle.

The North Wall, see below.

The Court

The lower half of the Court.

Here we go!

The Great Hall.

Modern stairs that led us up from the basement to the Great Hall level. The stairs up to the Blarney Stone are so narrow, they wind you through the castle so that all traffic is one way.

This is made from yarn!

A view from the stairs as we climb to the Blarney Stone.

View from the top.

Lady Colthurst decided to build the new castle in Scottish baronial style south of the present keep. This was completed in 1874 and has been the family home ever since.

View from the top.

At the top of the castle looking across to people kissing the stone.

Collin's first kiss. (I'll explain in a minute.) See where his lips touch? The Blarney stone is below that.

Simon goes deep and nails it!

Paul's first kiss. (I'll explain in a minute:) Too high.

We almost lost Aaron, he went down so far!

Clare before kissing the Blarney Stone: https://youtu.be/MRvaPqMOBKM

At eight years old, Clare was on the boarder of being allowed to kiss the stone. The employee wouldn't let her go down very far.

Clare after kissing the Blarney Stone: https://youtu.be/m0ZLJjeE-yI

This is me lip-locking the wall. In my haze of bliss, I remember the words, "Hey lady, wrap it up! Other people are waiting!" (And if you believe that, the Blarney Stone works!)

People waiting their turns at the Blarney Stone.

Leading up to our arrival at Blarney Castle, there was a great deal of discussion about kissing the stone. Realizing many people kiss it everyday, kept two of our group from it (Rod & Grace). Too gross. One in the group overcame his severe aversion, (Paul), and kissed it anyway. Moments after our group completed our turn, Collin and Paul realized they kissed the wall ABOVE the stone and not the actual stone! Paul blurted something like this..."you mean I kissed that disgusting castle and it didn't even count!!!" So, after some discussion between them, Collin and Paul decided to wait another 45 minutes and have a second go at the stone. They did it! Paul kissed twice when he didn't want to kiss once! Rod, I and the rest of the kids walked the grounds while waiting for them to go up the castle to kiss again.

Looking down into the Banqueting Hall.

At the bottom of the above photo, called the Family Room.

Looking down the murder hole.

Growing up, I watched plenty of Laurel and Hardy shows. Stan Laurel kissed the stone! Oliver did not because of his large size.

The castle has extensive grounds, among them, the Poison Garden.

Common Laburnum.

Plenty of old trees on the grounds.

Our lovely tour guide showing us the Rhododendron in bloom.

A closer shot of Blarney House. It was closed by 2 pm, so we weren't able to go inside.

More of the gardens surrounding the castle.

The Witch Stone. see below

Aaron was hilarious on the Wishing Steps! I was on the steps with my eyes closed when I heard Aaron mutter when he was halfway down, "Oh no, I opened my eyes!" So up he goes to try it again and makes it all the way down. Next, we are standing at the bottom of the stairs reading the sign telling about the steps and he realizes he has to go down AND up to get the wish! "Oh man!" Up he goes to start all over! He eventually executed the whole ritual and made his wish!

The waterfall at the bottom of the steps.

The waterfalls: https://youtu.be/tXcudy3CF4E

Looking up the steps from the bottom. Poor Clare, she mis-heard the directions to think about her "wish" while going up and down with eyes closed, and instead thought about a "witch" while going up and down!

The dolmen.

Clare of the Jungle.

Video: https://youtu.be/piJQeJ6WB4A

That's Aaron at the end.

Clare mimicking a sculpture.

The Three Wise Men.

The stones were called the Seven Sisters.

St. Colman's Cathedral: In 1868, when the Cathedral was begun, taking an impressive 47 years to complete in full, Cobh (pronounced Cove) or Queenstown (as it was then called) was a relatively prosperous place. This was because it was Ireland's principal emigration outlet. More than five million people emigrated from Ireland in the 19th century-mainly to the USA, Australia and Canada. A large proportion of them left from Queenstown. The RMH Titanic made it's last port of call here, anchored out in the mouth of the harbor. The spire of St. Colman's Cathedral of Cobh would have been visible from the ship and the last glance of civilization for many.

St. Colman's

Going in.

Walking toward the sanctuary.

The tabernacle.

Leaving church and heading down to the Titanic museum.

City of Cobh.

Down by the harbor looking back at St. Colmen's Cathedral.

The boardwalk next to the original White Star Line ticket office that currently houses the Titanic museum.

Buildings along the boardwalk.

Watching the harbor.

Upon entering our Titanic experience/museum, we were given a recreated ticket from an actual passenger that got on the boat in this port. At the end of the museum tour, you found out if you survived. My person was one of the Addergoole Fourteen. She didn't survive.

The captain.

The passengers had to take a ferry out to the Titanic anchored at the mouth of the harbor.

This was called the Dock of Tears, or something. It's where the passengers would have said their goodbyes. The expense to cross the Atlantic was so great, many understood that they would never be back.

The above picture was taken on the same balcony in the picture. I was standing where the man in the bowler hat near the arched window was standing.

Third class on the Titanic was far better than first and second class of older ships.

There would have been a common area much larger than this mock up where 3rd class passengers spent most of their time.

3rd class berths.

Third class menu. The guide said it was common during the time of the Titanic that third class passengers would have to bring their own food for the trip. That could be nine days of no refridgeration!