Aug 9
I woke up at 7:30 AM and got out and I helped Billy (the bus driver) with loading the luggage. After that we went to the restaurant for breakfast of eggs, ham, cereal, Irish soda bread, yogurt, blood pudding and sausages. We boarded the bus and headed to world famous Blarney Castle.
There was a slight Irish mist in the air as we walked towards the castle and then we climbed the 128 circular steps to the top of the castle. It was a tight fit, especially for Josh. We all got in line and kissed the Blarney Stone. To kiss the Blarney Stone for the “gift of gab” we had to lay on our backs bending over and kissing the stone upside down.
Following the kissing of the stone we headed out of the castle and some of us went deep into the dark dungeon beneath the castle and we also explored the nearby cave. I went to the gift shop and got country patches. While we all ate lunch my mom shopped for Irish linens. Before leaving Blarney Castle we had a surprise meeting with Valley United Way CEO Jack Walsh, who was also visiting Ireland from Derby.
After a couple of bus pit stops along the way we drove by the Waterford Crystal factory and saw a huge chandelier. We finally arrived at the Waterford Marina Hotel, which is right by the river. We had salmon, chicken or roast beef for dinner and then played cards in the hotel or went with our chaperones on a walk around the town before going to bed.
Charles Stankye IV
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