"To kiss it, you must be held by the legs, head downwards, over the battlements"

This is, of course, in reference to the Blarney Stone, the legendary Stone of Eloquence. Yes my friends, the Wharton family (sans one much missed brother) visited Blarney Castle and I can now proudly say, "Veni, vidi... osculari!" In fact, we all kissed the stone. I wasn't about to let my parents get away with flying all the way to Ireland and climbing to the top of a crumbling, seven-storied, narrow-staircased castle without doing their rightful duty.

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I'd also like to take this moment to insert my humble opinion and assert that the next time you find yourself in Cork, Ireland, go spend half a day (at least) strolling the grounds of Blarney Castle and, if you're feeling adventurous (and appropriately dressed to get a little muddy), explore Badger's Cave, a really extensive network of underground tunnels that supposedly led from the castle all the way to a nearby village. And by all means kiss the Blarney Stone! A woman behind us made this exact trek, but when she saw that she had to lie upside down and hang over the edge above a terrifying plummet to certain death should the old fellow assisting let her slip, she changed her mind. Don't let that be you!

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This fireplace was big enough to roast a side of beef...

little farmers market outside the entrance to Blarney Castle and Grounds

We also went down to the charming fishing village of Kinsale for lunch, which is just over a bridge from the closest point of land to where the Lusitania was torpedoed (though how exactly you would know you're standing at this location is beyond me as apparently there's not a plaque or, well, anything at all to signify the event or the place).

Anyway, our time in Cork was much enjoyed, though much too short (seemingly a theme of the whole trip until my parents got stranded here). OH! And on a very serious note: if you're ever anywhere in the general area of Cork you absolutely must go out of your way (and down an absurdly narrow alley) to eat at Jacques.

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Blackrock Castle and Observatory

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St. Finn Barre's Cathedral

(to the left of the main doors stood the 'Wise Virgins', to the right stood the 'Foolish Virgins')

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* - photo courtesy of Mom

** - photo courtesy of Dad

*** - photo courtesy of a random passerby who didn't really speak English