Sunday October 2nd

Yesterday was so wet and rainy that all we did was take a drive into the country. The two sights we wish to see were closed for the season. On the way back we stopped again at Blarney Woollen Mills shops. We came back to read and play cards. In the evening we went for a walk when it had stopped raining. However,on the way back to the B&B it started again.

 

Today as we left Cork, we saw a crowd of runners. It seems there was a marathon going on. Luckily they had not started yet. We headed for the coastal town of Cobh pronounced Cove. This was the last Port of Call for the Titanic. The Lusitania was sunk of the Head to Kinsale in 1915. Many of the dead were buried in Cobh. The heritage Centre was not open. We are not sure if it opened later in the day.

While walking along the harbour front we saw a statue of Annie Moore and her two brothers She emigrated from Ireland to NYC at the age of 15. She was the first person to be processed at the new centre at Ellis Island in NYC on 1 January 1892. I have been listening to a song called Ellis Island sung by The Irish Tenors. This song is about her. You had to grow up fast back then.

 

We left the town soon before the marathoners got close. We did not want to be part of the group. Struggling through a bike race was bad enough. At Youghal town we saw the town clock and some of the old buildings dating back to the 1600's. Again it was to foggy and rainy to enjoy anything.

 

Further east along the coast, we came to the town of Ardmore. It is the oldest Christian settlement in Ireland. There we found a Round Tower, Ardmore Cathedral and St. Declan's Oratory. We had no idea that these were here. The cathedral had some beautiful carvings outside on the wall of the church. You could still make out a number of the carvings. It was quite a sight.

 

Heading inland now we crossed a pass called The Vee. As we climbed up the coastal side it got very foggy. Charles had to watch out for sheep on the road. As we crested and started down the fog left and we could see the valley below. It was overcast now but not raining. We stopped in the town of Lismore to see the Castle however it was closed for the season.

 

We decided to see if we could see the Michelstown Caves today. We thought we would have better luck seeing them on a Sunday. We found out that they are open every day except for Christmas. Getting to the caves from Lismore meant a trip across country and you guessed it more one lane roads. It was well worth the trip. The caves were fantastic. I was so happy as they are better lit than the last caves we were in. When we left the caves our GPS took use over more one lane roads. One road we went on, we thought was a farm lane. It turned out to be okay though.

 

The sun was shining by supper time in Cashel. We were not sure what to do with the bright light and blue skies. Sure hope it holds for tomorrow. There is much to see and do tomorrow before we head to Kilkenny.