THE JAMESON DISTILLARY - IRISH WHISKEY

We took a tour of the local Jameson Distillery, here in Midleton. It is the oldest distillery in Ireland and is a leading industry in this area. We learned about the history of whiskey making in Ireland and why they think their process is better than anyone else's.


Mumsy is the official taste-tester, comparing the Scottish Johnny Walker Black Label, Jameson 6 year, and Jack Daniels. Wow is there a difference! Not that any of us are big whiskey drinkers but it was very interesting that they tasted so different. The Scottish whiskey is heated to stop the germination process (malting) with Scottish peat which makes it have a smokey taste. The American whiskey is only distilled once vs the Irish three times. When you compare side-by-side it is really obvious. The Irish win hands down.

Carter wearing a Jameson fireman's hat. Jameson had their own fire department due to the frequent fire outbreaks. Barley would spontaneously combust while drying and the fires under the distilling pots needed constant attention. Not an easy process to keep under control.

One of the copper distillery vats. Jameson distilled their whiskey through three times.

The water wheel which provided power for the distillery until it was shut down in 1975. There is a new modern facility next to this historical one.

Waiting for the tour to begin in the lobby, where the Irish coffees are free flowing.

CLIFFS OF MOHER

The Cliffs of Moher majestically towering 700 feet over the Atlantic. After our first trip a couple of weeks ago, in the fog, in which we could not see 5 feet, we were glad to see such a breathtaking sight. It was a great drive through The County Clare and across the Shannon River.

The view from the other side.

Mumsy and Grandad at the cliffs.

The boys peeking out of O'Brien's tower build in 1835 at which time the Cliffs had almost one million tourists a year. Amazing that tourists would be flocking even then.

BANTRY HOUSE

The drive to the West Coast was circuitous and not well marked but well worth it. The Bantry house, with it's amazing Renaissance gardens and spectacular views were among the best in the world. We were also able to attend a chamber music festival at the house itself, befitting of the estate. The music festival is a week long and also had an exhibit of violin, viola, cello, and bow makers from all over Europe. They were eager to talk to us and it was lovely to see their skill and talent.The property has been in the family, from the First Earl of Bantry, Richard White, in 1765 and is still the residence of Egerton and Brigitte Shelswell-White. Both the house and gardens have been benefactor of a grant from the European Historical Commission which has allowed extensive renovations.

The garden was designed by the the Second Earl of Bantry and his wife after travels through out the main land but chiefly in Italy. From the Italian Renaissance style the structure is based on seven terraced layers with this amazing staircase, one hundred steps, made of local stone and surrounded by azaleas.

A circle of wisteria surrounds the main fountain off the back terrace of the house. Parterre surround the fountain.

Even Ike thought this was a spectacular place, although the tadpole/frog find was more important than the house and gardens.

MUMSY & GRANDAD IN ITHE EMARALD ISLE

Mumsy and Grandad arrived safely with Carter in Cork. We were all glad to see them. We have taken them around to our favorite spots as well as venturing out a bit. Grandad is loving the cool weather on his feet and has been in shorts and sandals the whole time. Mumsy is enjoying the hot tea and understanding more about why tea is so important.

We drove to the West coast to see some chamber music at a music festival in Bantry. We were not disappointed, the music was wonderful and the town was beautiful. We had a great meal at this tavern. Mumsy got a kick out of the fact that no bread was served with he meal just extra potatoes.

Mumsy and Grandad enjoyed Balleymaloe gardens. For a farmer it is amazingly interesting to see all their plants and how well everything does with 70 inches of rain a year.

We made a venture to Cork to visit the English Market. An absolutely great food place, fresh produce, fresh fish, olives from Greece, amazing cheeses. We also walked around the University of Cork, which has beautiful grounds and is structured after Oxford.

Mumsy admiring the Foxgloves in the garden.

WEEKEND TRIP TO WEXFORD

National Agriculture University housed in Johnstown Castle, a Gothic revival mansion. Beautiful grounds as well.


Irish National Heritage Park is an open air museum much like the Ranching Heritage Museum. It illustrates homesteads, places of worship, Viking boatyard and burial sites to provide a fascinating lesson on the country’s ancient history. Stone circles from the Bronze Age Celts, 2000-1000 B.C. Not as famous as Stone Hinge but this one from Count Kerry represents over 90 stone circles have been found in Ireland.

A Monastic Village representing the 5th through the 12th centuries. These stone buildings are more advanced than their thatched predecessors and somewhat more resistant to the frequent and menacing Viking raids which began in 795 A.D .

These raids lasted until the Vikings fought each other (The Danes vs. The Norwegians) to establish the Hiberno-Norse kingdom based in Dublin. This group changed from raiders and became traders focusing their control less inland and more on trade with Scotland, Wales, and England as well as settling the Isle of Man and Northern Scotland. Their dominance lasted until the Battle of Tara in 980 (Margaret Mitchell must have had some Irish interests there are lots of O’Haras’ here too).

THE GIFT OF GAB

Some tourist venues are obligatory and this is one of the most pleasant of them. We had a fabulous time at Blarney Castle this weekend. The guide book was quite negative about Blarney but it is not an easy feat and the grounds are breathtaking.

The story goes that Queen Elizabeth I was requesting that the Lord of Blarney, Cormac McCarthy, show his loyalty to the crown by bequeathing his castle and property to the Crown. However, Lord McCarthy repeatedly flattered and avoided the oath. Finally after great efforts on the Queens part she gave up and declared, "He speaks a lot of Blarney" thus giving rise to the current meaning ... Blarney - clever, flattering, or coaxing talk.

This is the kitchen, with the wooden floor long missing and vented at the top of the castle. I am thinking it would not have been a horrible job cooking for the castle in this open air kitchen but carrying food up and down the stairs would have been tough.

The kiss is not casually achieved. To touch the stone with one's lips, you must ascend a very narrow circular staircase (not easy with size 13 feet), then lean over, backwards, on the parapet's edge. There is an assistant to hold on to you and the parapet is now fitted with wrought iron guide rails and protective crossbars, but still.

What ever will Carter do when he arrives in Ireland to find that his brother and sister have both kissed the Blarney Stone in his absence? Will he have some competition for speaking time in the Airhart Family?

WRONG TURN ON THE WAY TO BALLYCOTTON

While trying to get to the lighthouse at Ballycotten, we found this secluded beach. There were a few surfers out but otherwise pretty quiet.
Ike got out his pole but immediately, dad lost the lure on these rocks. Pretty tough fishing conditions. Interesting hole in the rock formations.

Ellen climbed up to an area where she could read in peace. There was a stream that flowed into the ocean creating an interesting little eco-system.

BALLYMALOE

In our travels there are many jewels that we discover but sometimes they seem like they are made just for me! Ballymaloe Cookery School is one of them. Under the vision of Dariana Allen, located on a 100 acre organic farm this school caters to all types of cooks. Courses are offered in everything from a complete 12 week course for professionals to a day of jams, chutneys and pickles, or chocolates, or artisan breads. Ellen has taught herself to draw with the help of a book recommended by our friend and art teacher Jennifer. Here she is drawing an arbor in the main garden of the farm. I have never seen such an imaculate garden. Every single veggie is picture perfect. Stunning!

They do have visitors that appreciate their produce as well so netting is in order to keep the birds and rabbits out.

The farm raises it's own chickens, cows, goats, and pigs as well. Completely incorporating them into the organic cycle. It is so much nicer when the rain just washes away all the chicken poop.

MEET THE TAYLORS ... FISHING TRIP TO COBH

This is our new friend Lauren! She is 3 and a very big girl, just try to tell her that there is something she can not do because she is not old enough or big enough and she will let you know that she can do anything because she is definitely a very big girl!

This nice family is the Taylors, our new neighbors, Jerry, Anne, Jordon, Ross and Lauren. We made a trip to the small city of Cobh to fish. Jerry works for Alstom as well and has been here for over a year. They are from Scotland, Anne is from Paisley, which sounds like a lovely place. Cobh has the infamous distinction of being the last port-of-call for the Titanic. It is a super deep port and now hosts the Worlds Largest Cruise Liner, The Genesis, which is 40% larger than any other Cruise Liner. Cobh is a beautiful city and though we did not catch any fish the scenery was lovely and we did partake of authentic "fish and chips" under the guidance of the Taylors.

Jackets are in order, although it is not that cold there is a brisk breeze off the ocean.

Welcome to Ireland ... 40 Shades of Green

FOTA ISLAND BOTANICAL GARDENS

After a very smooth trip "over the pond" we are settling in nicely. Tom found a very nice house for us that is with in walking distance of Midleton town and most importantly has neighbors of the ages 8,7, and 3. Our original choice had been the Sheraton Fota Island Lodge, a lovely resort which is close by and next to this beautiful nature reserve and botanical gardens. It is easy enough to visit and this was one of our first outings. There is a home on the property which now serves tea. It was the home of the Smiths and Barrys in the late 19th century and has been restored in the 1990s. It also has a zoo area and we are waiting for Carter to get here to make a visit to the zoo.

The gardens have an incredible Victorian Fernery. Cork is blessed with an unusual micro-climate that allows subtropicals to exist despite the fact that there is scarcely a day over 80 degrees. The plants were are nicely labeled and it was interesting to see where everything was from. They had several Sequoias from California and most of the ferns were from Australia, New Zealand, and even Tasmania. I recognized so many things but knew none of the common names, so interesting to see what everyone else calls them. Also lots of new plants more akin to the Southeast region of the U.S.










The kids and I decided this looked just like "Land of the Lost". We thought there would be a dinosaur jump out from behind these plants at any moment. They were huge and truly amazing! Our first lesson in Irish is 40 shades of green - everything is green!

Annual rain fall is supposed to be more than 70 inches a year but so far the rain has taken a bit of a break to welcome the visitors from Texas.