Post 689 - Ireland Part Five - Killarney, Irish Deer, the Rock of Cashel, and Tommy the Teaser (NSFW - hee)

Preparing for a "Jaunty Ride"- first thing in the morning in Killarney

Protected Irish deer never lose their spots - why should they?

In the middle of Killarney, you can find a park where you forget you're in the middle of Killarney

No Killarney visible here, either

Hidden history, a site in plain sight

A favored place to exile those perceived as naughty so they can just think about what they've done for 20-30 years.  "I think I've done found a lovely place to enjoy a peaceful exile, thank you very much!"

Former park manager house, now for tea and strumpets. Er, crumpets.  Well, maybe both.

The mark of a professional thatcher.

It's happy to see you!

A break in the rain in the ring of Kerry

Suzann, Joanne, and Patricia with their lovely toppers on display.

The Great Southern Hotel, Killarney

The Munster Ruins

The ruins are holding together better than I ever could

Local guide telling us not to feed that baby to her left, or it'll follow you home

Perpetual sun roof

...and at dusk, the pipes will sound, and the earth shall bring forth McCarthys and O'Briens...

Over the wall lies more manicured fields.  Manicured fields everywhere.

Majestic, and breezy

One clan would build their cathedral in front of the other clan's cathedral

And windows are just for sissies.  Squint hard at the rocks and you'll see all you need.

A chunk (on the left) fell in the 1840s, and nobody saw a need to put it back.  Some church in Wisconsin has a bit from this castle in its foundation.  Our newlyweds from Wisconsin had extra luggage searches when they left.

Anne counting her steps, while the young lady with nine oysters under her belt continued to feel funny.

Fixer upper opportunity

The purported face of a benefactor who gave money to the construction program, ca 1100

The face of someone whose check bounced.

Lookit them flying buttresses!  I didn't know I was such a buttress sort of guy.

Some original plasterwork remains.

burial crypt, something for the viewer to enjoy

...and something for the user to view

Fleming tapestry - some reconstruction near the ruins

Guard sheep

And then, to Kildare town and the "National Equine Innovation Center" - aka "The Irish Stud."  A wealthy British benefactor was convinced that proper race-horse breeding required a deep appreciation for astrology and, apparently, Japanese gardening.  When he died, leaving his farm to Ireland, there was actual  dispute whether they should keep up such a British endeavor - and someone said, have you seen the size of those stud fees?  Lunch came first...

For Americans, the locals provided this version of "veg" with their meal

The wealthy British benefactor, Colonel William Hall Walker, is memorialized in this sculpture depicting him invoking the knowledge of the stars to give him prize horseflesh, supported by the delicacy of Tassa Eida's gardening visions.   The peak years for both appears to have run between 1906 and 1910

(another wonderful shot by Richard Ong of Toronto)

Tommy the Teaser - he struts around to see if the gal's are a-willin', then has a nice lunch

The prize stallions can take part in 100-150 "coverings" during the breeding season.  Sounds like a typical freshman year at some Michigan colleges.  Invincible Spirit, age 27, has an unlisted fee for his services, due to his advanced years, but some fees are in a six-figure range.  Quite the cover charge.

By appointment only

St. Fiachra's Garden - you enter through the GATE OF OBLIVION, pass through the CAVE OF BIRTH, then the TUNNEL OF IGNORANCE, climb the HILL OF LEARNING, enter the PATH OF ADVENTURE, choose marriage for the ISLAND OF JOY AND WONDER and cross the ENGAGEMENT BRIDGE, feast at the prenuptial table, be confirmed by the MARRIAGE BRIDGE, walk the HONEYMOON PATH, examine the branches of DIFFERENCE OF OPINION, drink from the WELL OF WISDOM at the HILL OF AMBITION, descend to the TEA HOUSE, cross the BRIDGE OF LIFE, settle into the CHAIR OF OLD AGE and rest beneath the weeping trees at the HILL OF MOURNING.  Then have some fries at the cafe.

Back to the well-trained pillows at the Radisson Blu St Helens, in Dublin

The June Taylor Arrangement

Solid veined marble

And Doc Martin's favorite cure-all, PARACETAMOL!!  But in the US, we call it ACETAMINOPHEN.  In Ireland, you can only buy it at a pharmacy, with a two box limit.  That is why Ireland still has pharmacies.  In fact, we saw only a few recognizable "chains" - one was Papa Johns, and McDonald's is there, but elicits a certain look of derision by the locals.  Just like in the US!

"Well, hope you had a nice time - meet me under the tree anytime, and be sure to tell your friends."