I stood at the fork of the walking path near the Rock Close at Blarney Castle in County Cork, Ireland, and listened to the songbirds while watching the sheep graze contentedly in a far pasture. Turning toward Blarney Lake, I embarked on a peaceful, breathtaking circuit of the 21-acre body of water. Ireland’s beauty was more wild and rugged than I had expected. It seemed to be taking me on a journey, slowly unwinding and revealing itself until I, like so many others, was spellbound by its magic.
An opportunity to join my husband on his work trip this spring landed me in Ireland for the first time, and gave me three glorious days to explore County Cork with total independence. Enjoying my newfound, freedom, I wasted no time in trying to soak up the history and stunning scenery around me.
