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Where is Blarney?

What a wonderful Irish Day!

We slept in till 9ish, did an hour of internet, walked to the information centre, discovered that BLarney was only 8 km away and asked for directions. Wrote down the directions that would take us a back road, avoiding the made thoroughway. Vague instructions indeed. The three of us started walking. After about 10 minutes, we had a mental breakdown/yelling match/tears/I just dont understand you session. It was due, me thinks, two weeks together... After the yelling and tears, there were many group hugs and on we went...

So the directions we received from the Info lady = not good. We asked an older irish woman and afer a "Lord Love Ya" for walking to blarney she gave us directions which took us up a hill. Asked a old irish man for directions at the top of the hill and finally a pharmacy where they directed us back to the main road...hmm

Decided to just take a bus bc we were not sure what time Blarney Castle closed. But the bus was late so we decided to walk along the 100 km per hour road. Some scary times let me tell you. After a mile of this, we exit and again ask Where is Blarney? We are directed to this old footpath that has been turned into walking trails for a park. Fabulous! THe sun is starting to set and its simply beautiful. After a few miles we exit the park and ask a lovely older couple the quickest way to arrive at Blarney Castle (bc we had made it to blarney - finally!). They mentioned it was quite a distance up this hill and we casually mentioned that we had already walked from Cork, so it wouldnt be that far. After exclaiming over our miraculous feat, the gentleman asks us how we aim to make it back to cork. We shrugged and said the bus. WELL - this fabulous Irish couple offered to meet us in 1.5 hours in front of BLarney Castle and drive us back to Cork!

With a quick stop at a cafe for some tea and treats we made it safely back to our Hostel.

Oh! RIght! We made it to the castle! FABULOUS! BEAUTIFUL! Can i just say that we have had great weather our entire two weeks. AS soon as we made it TO the castle, it starts pouring. We kiss the Blarney Stone and make our way back down the castle - the rain stops.

I think some wee little irish folk have been looking out for us!

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