R. Doug Wicker's Blog, page 68

Fun Photo Friday — Cobh Favorites

Time for one last look at Ireland before we board our ship and return to the U.S.:

Ireland — More St. Colman’s and views of Cobh

Today we continue with our tour of St Colman’s Cathedral. And when we finish up inside, we’ll head out for some views of Cobh.

St Colman’s Cathedral interior

Below is pictured a finely detailed pulpit contained within the interior of the church:

St Colman’s pulpit

You got a glimpse of the altar and vaulted ceiling on Monday’s article, but here are two more views:

St Colman’s altar Vaulted wood ceiling in St Colman’s

Before heading back outside, let’s take a look at more ...

Ireland — Cobh; St Colman’s Cathedral

Our months-long look at Ireland and Northern Ireland draws this week to a close. We finish up in Cobh, the port city for Cork, Cork County, southwest Republic of Ireland. Starting next week I’ll present to you our transatlantic voyage aboard Brilliance of the Seas, with a single stop in Ponta Delgada, Azores. Then after that we’ll be boarding another ship for yet another adventure on this back-to-back pair of cruises. But until then, we’re going to look around Cobh, and in particular the imp...

Fun Photo Friday — Kinsale, Ireland Favorites

Of course, I saved my favorite Kinsale photos for today’s Fun Photo Friday. Here are a couple more:

When in Ireland, drink… Irish coffee, of course! Colorful Place to Enjoy Refreshments!

Ireland — Colorful Kinsale

Kinsale Color

Below you’ll see in today’s gallery a restaurant, Dino’s Traditional Fish & Chips. If you get a chance to stop by, you will not be disappointed. It’s located on Pier Road.

On Monday I promised examples of Kinsale’s colorful facades. So, today it’s just a gallery of colors. Enjoy!

Ireland — Making a Stop in Kinsale

A short distance south of Cork and Cobh, Cork’s port city, lies the historic fishing port town of Kinsale, Ireland. And what a charming and colorful place it is. Today you’ll get a hint of the color, but return Wednesday to see this town in it’s full Technicolor glory.

Kinsale, Ireland

Below is the Market House of Kinsale, formerly a courthouse and now the Kinsale Museum. And though it doesn’t look it, this structure was built in 1600. It’s more recent claim to fame occurred in 1915, w...

Fun Photo Friday — Blarney Favorites 2

Blarney Castle — Caretaker’s house?

Our last look at Blarney Castle:

Ireland — Blarney Castle Stable Yard

Blarney Castle structure

Time to move on to the next Blarney Castle view — the stable yard. To get there we head westward from the South Wall of the castle. Let’s enjoy the views:

Back view of the Coach House Café at the Stable Yard

One of the buildings within the Stable Yard is the coach house, which on the second floor houses the Hay Loft gift shop:

Blarney Castle coaches Coach House and Hay Loft gift shop

Outside the Hay Loft sign are seating areas to take you refreshments f...

Ireland — Blarney Castle Poison Garden

Blarney Castle Poison Garden — Please Don’t Eat the “Daisies”

A short stroll from Blarney Castle, located behind the battlements, is a rather recent edition to the ground. This is the Blarney Castle Poison Garden, which we’ll view today on the blog.

Warning Signs Abound!

Some of the plants here are not so much poisonous as they are beautiful to behold:

Multi-hued tree

While others are cordoned off more for being recreational, albeit illegal, rather than outright dangerous:

WARN...

Fun Photo Friday — Blarney Favorites 1

Stones have the texture to make for great Black & White imagery

Today I present Part 1 of two Blarney Castle Fun Photo Friday favorites:

North Wall Lookout Blarney Watchtower is a bit of Sculpture Blarney Castle framed in Irish Emerald