Tourists from around the world flock to the Emerald Isle every year to visit some of Ireland’s many great castles. No, castle is not code for “pub” 🙂 although some castles do have restaurants located on their grounds. Here, the locals welcome visitors with a smile and invite them to sample Ireland’s finest cuisine with a nice cool pint of Guinness. Even if one does not plan a visit to one of these amazing Irish fortresses; the relics of historic castles can be seen in fields as one tours around the countryside. The pictures above are of Blackrock Castle (On the left) and the upper part of Blarney Castle (On the right).

When I go home to Ireland I usually visit Blarney Castle but on our last trip I took my American family to Blackrock Castle. The sun was shining and the sound of global accents echoed around the castle as people from all around the world settled in for lunch. After a hearty lunch we went outside and I watched my father beam with delight as his two grandsons ran around the castle grounds with toy swords. As they defended their territory against invisible enemy forces, I took a moment to breathe in the fresh Irish air and relish in the simple joy of the day. My heart is always filled with great happiness when my Irish and American families are joined together. It is as we say back home, “the stuff memories are made of.”

The pictures above are of Blarney Castle (On the left) and a castle we stumbled upon called Caisleán Charraig an Easa which is Gaelic for the Castle on the Rock of the Waterfall. I will have more pictures and stories coming over the next few days so sit back and enjoy the ride… beep beep 🙂