One of my favourite 1973 hits was Thin Lizzy’s Whiskey in the Jar-O – truly a formative single leading to lots of sore necks from the banging of the head. So in 2005, when we visited Killarney, in the Cork and Kerry mountains, it put me straight back to ’73. One of the best adventures was the Gap of Dunloe tour set near Killarney National Park. We hired 3 horses and 2 places in a horse-drawn carriage and we swapped around so everyone got a turn. Jo and Steph took to it like ducks to water, so they spent most time on horseback, while Chris and Brian swapped places. I mostly sat in the carriage or walked – I just couldn’t get the rhythm right. The views were stunning, and we had lunch at a stunning eatery, then ended with a speedboat ride for the last leg.
Another great day out included a trip to Blarney Castle, and we queued up for ages to walk past the famous stone, embedded in the castle’s parapet. To kiss it you must lie on your back (they provide a cushion), hanging on to two iron rods, and stretch backwards (over a two-foot gap with a deadly, 2-storey drop) to press your lips to the greasy stone millions have kissed before you. A health and safety nightmare I imagine had no choice but to close during the COVID years. Scary as it sounds, there was a guy hanging firmly to your arm and waist, ensuring your safety. Still a tad hairy. Why take that risk? Legend has it whoever does so will get the gift of the gab – or more colloquially, gain the ability to talk the hind leg off a donkey,
