England and Ireland---Day 12

Old Jameson Distillery

Left the hotel this morning and retraced our path to the town of Midleton, to visit the Jameson Whiskey Distillery.  I never realized so much went into making whiskey, it was like the Waterford factory in that there are so many steps to the finished product.  Interesting fact:  the barrels they use to age the whiskey come from Spain, where they were previously used to age sherry, or the United States, where they were used for bourbon.  Both however, are made of oak.  At the end of the tour we got to taste three whiskeys: Jack Daniels, a single distilled, a Scottish malt whisky, which is a double distilled, and Jameson, which is triple distilled.  I will never drink Jack Daniels again-the difference between the triple distilled and the other two has to be tasted to be believed.  It was however early in the morning for a whiskey tasting!

Shoes worn in malting room (hot)

Ta-da

A very large factory

Blarney Castle

We then went west a short distance to the town of Blarney, and the Blarney Castle.  Neither Nila nor I had any desire to kiss the stone, Nila because of the long line, me, because of the height you had to climb to, plus 127 steps on a hot day did not sound the least inviting.  The grounds of Blarney Castle can more than make up for not kissing the stone.  Beautiful gardens, but Nila and I particularly enjoyed the Poison Garden, in which every plant shown has poison properties, and the Rock Close, which is an exhibition garden using the natural contours and the river for the setting.  The definition of poison was broad, as rosemary, lily of the valley, rhubarb and tea were all included.  I think their definition was "anything that could be addicting or cause bodily harm.

Lupins are poison

Just a wildflower, not poison

Nila enjoying the view

More twisty turny roads leaving Cork and entering Co. Kerry.  Our first stop was Aghadoe  (Irish Achadh Deo, meaning near to god) for a view of the lakes of Killarney and to have a group picture taken.   After this we drove into Killarney and our hotel.  Another nice place to stay, and a good meal (finally, lamb), a walk along the main shopping street in town, very lively as it is still light at 10:30, and bed.  I really enjoyed the walk, as there was singers everywhere, with the bars mostly open air with music and singing coming out to mingle with the walkers.  

Lamb, finally

Lakes of Killarney