This is our 4th trip to Ireland, and this last trip with "Con Moriarty's Hidden irealnd Tours & the Moriarty Clan Gathering was the trip of a lifetime" mere words can't describe how great this trip was, and all this was due to the amazing sites and places Con Moriarty had planned for the Clan members,we were kycjy ti taje a bost ride on Lock Lein and view Ross Castlke from the lake, and all the sheer beauty of this entire area. to asy Ireland is Heaven on Earth is "No Blarney" for their is one breath taking scene after another. and of course the Irish people themselves who go out of their way to make sure the travelers are having a great time.

Its my prayer, that God willing I live to return for the 5th time. and may I say " Ireland Forever"

Respectfully
Tom Moriarty
uern8019@cs.com

Last October myself, wife, mother and two kids (14 and 9) visited Ireland. My 9 year old son really wanted to do some castle visits on our 9 night trip. We saw Ross Castle, Blarney Castle. King John's Castle in Limmerick, and Bunratty Castle near Shannon Airport. We also toured a seaside fort in Kinsale with old stone walls and moats.

I have to say that Ross Castle, just outside Killarney has the prettiest setting. We stayed about a mile away at Ross Castle Lodge (see our review of that hotel). Ross Castle is on a beautiful lake. Swans swam up to us one early evening and it was almost magical.

It is surrounded by a forested park, quite a treat in often treeless Ireland. You can take a tour to the top floors of restored Ross Castle, which actually was besieged in the Elizabethan days. There is a "murder hole" in the ceiling of the first floor entry way where defending soldiers could pour boiling water or oil on attackers who had broken down the outer door.

On the tour I found out that the origin of the term "chairman" is because only the lord of the castle sat in a chair, everybody else sat on one of the benches. I also found out that "cubbyhole" is a nitch in the wall near the fireplace to put infants to keep warm. "Cubby" was a slang term back then for baby.

Nice small exhibit museum and giftshop on the first floor. Great place for hikes or a tour boat ride on the lake.