IRELAND, Powerscourt House and Gardens

September 18, 2007

Today I took a guided bus tour to Powerscourt House and Gardens, Glendalough, and through the Wicklow Mountains. The Gardens are supposed to be one of the most beautiful in all of Europe. The house and gardens reminded me very much of Versailles. I fly back to New Orleans tomorrow and can't wait to see everyone.

IRELAND, Cahir Castle and Swiss Cottage

After going to the Rock of Cashel I stopped in Cahir to see the Cahir Castle which is one of the best preserved castles in Ireland and the Swiss Cottage which was about 3 km away.

IRELAND, Blarney Castle , Blarney Stone, Witches Steps

The first picture is the Blarney House which is the residence of the family that owns Blarney Castle. Legend has it that anyone who kisses the Blarney Stone receives the "gift of gab". Also, if you walk down and up the Witches Steps backwards with your eyes closed you will receive whatever wish you are thinking of at the time. A witch supposedly grants these wishes because the owner of the castle let her collect firewood on the property when she lived nearby.