Ross Castle is an imposing edifice on the outskirts of Kilarney. As with most major castles it was built and added upon and otherwise modified over a period of centuries. Situated on the shore of Lough Leane*, it seems an almost idyllic spot for a castle. Of course the area was inhabited hundreds of years before the castle was built, and of course we only had time for the castle and not much else.
*Lough is Lake in Irish.
We were brought to Ross Castle by 'jaunting cars' which were really horse-drawn wagons. While we were touring the castle our guide brushed out his horse's winter coat. Megan's checking him out. Megan served her mission in Ireland and had a thoroughly good time the whole tour.
A couple of views of this formidable structure. Of course, the windows are a more recent addition. The chutes extending out from the wall were not for pouring boiling water or tar upon attacking foes but for getting rid of bathroom wastes. Doesn't look so romantic now, does it?
The Irish Trekkers
A swan on Lough Leane. We saw swans everywhere we went in Ireland. Along with the Irish harp, shamrocks, and leprechauns, swans are a national symbol.
Of course, no trip to Ireland is complete without a trip to kiss the Blarney Stone*. Here's our first view of Blarney Castle. Another Irish castle, it was built in the 1400's on the site of previous fortifications.
*Probably the most unhygienic tourist attraction in the world!
I would have liked to seen it in its heyday. People bustling about here and there. Lords and Ladies, servants, soldiers, knights, etc.
Look at these foundations. This is surely not a castle built on sand. It seems to grow from the living rock.
This view gives you an idea of the thickness of the walls on the lower floor. No wonder castles were a common sight until the advent of gunpowder.
One of the spiral staircases. Not particularly wide and quite steep, there are 100 steps leading to the top of the castle, about 88 feet high. Of course, the rope wasn't present anciently and it must have been quite a feat to clamber up and down them in armor.
A view near the top. To see stonework like this, it is easy to see why stonemasons were held in such esteem.
Ah, the famous Blarney Stone! Amost everyone who is anyone who has visited Ireland has kissed the stone. Or at least air-kissed it! In today's world of swine flu and anti-bacterial hand cleansers, it's surely interesting that thousands upon thousands of people each year kiss this sucker. And we did it. And here's picture proof of Peg doing it! She did ask them to spray a little disinfectant on it from a bottle they have there just in case somebody asks. To reach the stone you have to lay on your back, bend over the edge of the castle wall and lower your head about a foot to reach the stone. The ground is 88 feet below you at this point! You can see the iron bars that have been added to catch you, just in case!
Me and Ernie on the top of Blarney Castle. Ernie's ancestors came from County Clare to work in the mines at Park City.
We were fortunate to get a picture of an elusive leprechaun. Never did find the pot o' gold, however!
2 comments:
Love the hat. Looks like you are taking your life in your hands to kiss the Blarney Stone in more ways than just infectious germs.
Wish some of those photography skills would rub off onto me! Those are some great pictures - I really like the first one of Ross castle and the swans. :)
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