Killarney National Park & Killarney Town

Day two began with Tori's tooth. Mom was sucessful, this time, in removing it. With dentistry complete we then began a two-hour horseback ride through the Killarney National Park. Even Dad mounted up and came along for the beautiful ride. With two guides and only our family we headed all through the lower lake region of the park. We rode through pastures and in through the woods with many opportunities to trot and gallop. In one pasture we crossed paths with two deer. The larger buck bounded alongside Tori as she galloped past. It was a 13 pointer. Our two guides were French school girls both named Sophie. The one is studying to become a doctor and had worked at the stables for two summers. The whole adventure was great and the girls got to see how a year and half of riding lessons paid off and Mom and Dad enjoyed watching them have fun (oh and the beautiful countryside too). Following the ride we cleaned up and headed in to Killarney. We stopped by St. Mary's Cathedral and attended mass for the Feast of St. John the Baptist. The cathedral is a beautiful stone church with amazing local stone arches inside. We then took a trip to Ross Castle. This castle was built in the 11th Century and was used by the O'Brien's as a stronghold. The tour was interesting and educational. The girls enjoyed playing on the grounds with the cannons, stairs, and various dogs. Then we topped it all off with a dinner at a local pub. A nice Guiness Irish Stew and Irish Soda Bread finished the evening. Yummy.