Cork and Kerry A.R.I.: July 2017

A group from Mallow with friends from Dublin had a very enjoyable holiday with JMG travel on board the MV Magellan.We were collected in Mallow by JMG coaches and boarded the ship at Dublin.We travelled overnight to Liverpool and spent the next day touring Liverlool. We travelled to Greenock and did a tour of the Lakes including Loch Lomond.We also visited the picturesque village of Luss.
The next night we travelled to Mull and having crossed to the island by ferry we saw the beautiful village of Tobermorey. We then travelled by coach across the island and took another ferry to Iona a lovely tranquil island which looks like a dot on the map it is so tiny. this is where St Colmcille set up a monastery in bygone days. We had a tour of the monastery a very well preserved building. It was lovely and balmy there with the sheep cropping in the fields and the long horned cows dozing in the ruins.As we were out for the day we were given a picnic lunch. later in the evening we returned to the sip to a lovely and delicious dinner as usual.
Am ong the other islands we visited was Orkney where we saw among other things the rare flower flower calles Primula Scottica which only grows on Orkney.this island has lush green fields and no trees. They gave herds of Aberdeen Angus cows and sheep. On the islands they have several breed of sheep white ,black and Jacob black and white.
We also visited the Faroes and the town of Torshaven which is owned by Denmark and one cafe would only take Krona or credit card for coffee. However some other shops were glad to take our sterling! the next day we visited the Shetlands where it rained , the only rain we saw in the whole week.We saw some Shetland ponies but the lady who breeds them said there is very little call for them now.We saw some traditional wool jumpers and lovely handmade silver.
On the 7th day we visited Dundee and went out to see Glamis castle childhood home of the Queen Mother. It was a fabulous place. on the last night we travelled to Nrecastle wher we were bussed home gy JMG coaches stopping in Chester at a designer village and crossing on the ferry to Dublin and onwards to Mallow..
The ship was fabulous had 2 pools and 3 jacuzzis, card room, library with good supply of books , gymnasium, 3 dining rooms, spa, 4 bars, theatre, ( we would give our back teeth for one like this in Mallow)dance floor so we need never be bored. the food was to die for and we had a different menu each night.The cabins were very comfortable and the staff very pleasant and attentive.