Today was an important day in County Cork and County Kerry as the big Gaelic football match was being played. Because of this, we had an early start so that our activities would be done earlier and all workers in these 2 counties could go and watch the match. From what I was understanding this was pretty much like the Superbowl between these 2 counties to see advanced. County Kerry (the Kerry Kingdom) beat County Cork (Cork Rebels), final score 1-15 to 1-12 (each team had 1 goal and Kerry had 15 points and Cork had 12). Strange scoring system, but once you get the hang of it, it is all good.
We headed off to Ross Castle in Killarney as the starting for our trek through the Black Valley and Dunloe Gap. We boarded boats that took us over to Sir Brandon's Cottage through the lakes of Killarney. Absolutely gorgeous scenery and I hope the students really took it all in. We stopped and had lunch at the Cottage and then got in our horse and trap for a jaunty ride through the Black Valley to the Dunloe. Again - SPECTACULAR VIEWS! The Black Valley is so named because in the winter time no sun hits this particular area and it seems black. We twisted our way around the mountains, passing 7 lakes, including Serpent Lake where supposedly St. Patrick threw the last snake of Ireland. We also stopped briefly at Echo Lake and gave that a try. The echo was amazingly clear and then Brett decided to yell "Go Cork" at Echo Lake (which is in the County Kerry - remember the match being played today) and got no response. I guess even the mountains here have an opinion about the game. We ended our journey in Kate Kearney's Cottage. What an amazing excursion.
From there we headed up to a vista point near Aghadoe for another unbelievable view of the Lakes of Killarney. Elizabeth S lost one of her teeth a few days previously and according to Irish tradition, if you lose a tooth in Ireland, you bury it there so a part of you will always be in Ireland. We decided this amazing place was the spot for the burial. Elizabeth chose to bury it in the center of Parkavonear Castle, which is a 13th century Anglo-Norman ruin. Now she is an honorary Irish person.
Our last stop of the day was the Tubrid Holy Well in Millstreet. This well is the second largest holy well in Britain and Ireland! Many of the students came down to the well and said a prayer, lit a candle, drank the water or just admired the sanctity of it all. I was impressed with how respectful they were at this spiritual place, almost the quietest I have seen them yet.
As of right now, they are all playing soccer on the pitch and it is 10 minutes to tea, so with that, I will bid you adieu for the evening. Tomorrow we are off to Blarney and an amazing day.
Can you make the group shots linked to a big picture, so that we can zoom into the big pics and see our kids, like you did of the one with the "bobbie"???
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