June 16, 2015
We arrived in Shannon, Ireland, around eight AM local time. Despite the six hour time difference, we were excited to start the day. Our first stop was the historic Blarney Castle, a fortress built by the McCarthy clan in the 15thcentury. The castle, which towers well above the trees, rests on a rocky outcropping. Waves of green grass and wildflowers cover the hillsides and the surrounding countryside. The castle’s interior has been left mostly untouched, making it easy to imagine how the McCarthy family might have lived hundreds of years ago.
The main attraction, however, is the Blarney Stone. The line of people for the Blarney Stone stretched from the main hall of Blarney Castle, winding through tight spiral staircases, up to the castle’s roof. Once upon a time, the stone was used to crown Irish kings. Its magical properties include “the gift of gab”: those who kiss the stone are thought to suddenly become more eloquent. Spending thirty minutes in line to kiss an old Irish rock to receive “the gift of gab” may seem odd. Of course, when you’ve been up for more than twenty-four hours even the most mundane occurrences can seem a little strange.
After leaving the castle grounds, we ventured to our hotel in the town of Killarney, where the streets are lined with pubs, homemade ice cream shops, and boutiques. The hotel accommodations include full dining services, a spa area, and a fitness center. After supping upon a traditional Irish dinner of meat and potatoes, we decided to call it an early night to prepare for tomorrow’s round at Old Head Golf Links.