Have You Kissed the Blarney Stone?

        After more than two years, we have finally visited Blarney Castle and, ahhem . . . kissed the Blarney Stone; or at least Kathy and Sarah have kissed the thing!  This past week 5 of us were on a little get together in a wonderful part of southern Ireland (near Cork city) by the name of Kinsale.  Kinsale is a well known holiday location for many Dubliners, tucked into the rolling hills on the SW coastline.  Blarney Castle is only about a 40 minute drive away from where we were staying so we took advantage of that and spent a couple of hours touring . . .  here's a pictures of the castle!

While we were there we saw a beautiful little bird with a bright orange breast - can anyone tell me what kind of bird this might be?  I have never seen one like it and am hoping someone can fill be in on the species!  

And here is a picture of the five us just outside the castle, by one of the many hedges . . . From L to R ae Stephanie, Sue, Kathy, Sarah and Tim (me).