After an evening of fine dining we awoke in Kinsale to sunshine and a lovely small village with coastal vistas. We could have stayed here all day. Well, maybe all week. Better yet, maybe we'll rent a cottage and stay here a few months. This is a wonderful place. (Do you think it's the sunshine? We Phoenix people have sorely missed the sun.)
 The Harbor |  David giving us a tour of Kinsale. |
Annie Moore, the first Irish immigrant to the United States to pass through the Ellis Island facility in New York Harbor. But alas, as travelers we're always curious about what's over the next hill so we took off for an excursion to the port of Cobh (say "Cove"). This is the site where the Titanic and the Lusitania last dropped anchor before their fateful voyages. It's a lovely seaside village and the Cobh Heritage Centre provided an excellent exhibit of the story of millions of Irish who left their native land forever.
Today is the summer solstice, the longest day of the year and the beginning of summer. 2016 is a special year because the solstice coincides with the Strawberry (full) Moon, a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence. The summer solstice was celebrated by many ancient cultures, celebrating symbolic renewal, fertility and and harvest. Stonehenge is the most popular place in the UK to celebrate the longest day because the prehistoric monument aligns to the solstices. But there are many more sites throughout the isles. Some of us contemplated creating our own bonfire and dancing naked to celebrate the solstice. Fortunately our fellow travelers dragged us back to our rooms before we got totally crazy.
Today is the summer solstice, the longest day of the year and the beginning of summer. 2016 is a special year because the solstice coincides with the Strawberry (full) Moon, a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence. The summer solstice was celebrated by many ancient cultures, celebrating symbolic renewal, fertility and and harvest. Stonehenge is the most popular place in the UK to celebrate the longest day because the prehistoric monument aligns to the solstices. But there are many more sites throughout the isles. Some of us contemplated creating our own bonfire and dancing naked to celebrate the solstice. Fortunately our fellow travelers dragged us back to our rooms before we got totally crazy.
 Guinness is everywhere |  Our local guide David is entertaining, full of local knowledge, looks like a leprechaun and also leads the Ghost Tour. |
