June 1-3 -- In Ireland

The ferry from Fishgard to Rosslare was uneventful, thank goodness! The ferry is huge - several decks full of cars, lorries and coaches plus several decks for the passengers. We got off the coach and walked up to the seventh level where we sat for the crossing in the rear of the ship and enjoyed the view. Once unloaded in Ireland we drove to Waterford, a very old town founded by the Vikings in 853.

Our hotel was charming - an 18^th century building very nicely refurbished in the 1970s - my favorite hotel so far. After dinner we had a demonstration of Irish coffee-making and a chance to enjoy a cup - delicious!

The next day we drove thru the Irish countryside to Blarney Castle. Some of us kissed the Blarney Stone and some of us didn’t!! Did our first real souvenir shopping in the three-story Blarney Woolen Mills then on to Killarney, where we will stay for a couple of days. These photos of the Irish countryside are for you, Jen!

On Tuesday in Killarney we took a horse-drawn jaunting car thru the beautiful Killarney National Park to Ross Castle on the shores of Loch Leane, where we got on a boat for a ride around the lake.

The surrounding MCGillicuddy Reek mountains were full of wild rhododendron, and one of the islands in the lake held the ruins of Innisfallen Abbey.

Back at the castle we took a tour and then walked back to Killarney - a wonderful day! In the evening the group had dinner and Celtic music at a nearby pub.