We went to the National Stud farm of Ireland yesterday morning - yes Government owned. Even the horses are 38% Government owned, can you imagine many Governments have money in a horse farm? It is quite extensive housing 20 mares with foals and has accommodation for 10 stallions. There are also some which are retired, like Vintage Crop, a Melbourne Cup winner from 1990's. The area is very nicely set up with board fences and mowed lawn all around. The horses spend the nights inside and are brought out during the day. They pranced and galloped around when brought out, greeting each new arrival with enthusiasm before running off again. There is a garden area dedicated to St Fiachra, the patron saint of gardeners. The monks following him lived in bee hive buildings made of stone. They looked like igloos and were small and dark inside. There is also a Japanese garden established by the original owner of the farm, a William Hall-Walker from the Johnny Walker  clan. This garden has lots of areas which symbolise the paths of life from birth to death. it was all quite beautiful. We then drove across the south of Ireland to Cashel for lunch, before continuing on to Killarney. We went to an Irish caberet in the evening, with dancing, singing and a comedian. It was a good evening. Today we went for a drive around the Ring of Kerry, a scenic route around one of the peninsulas on the south west corner. There are mountains and sea creating beautiful landscapes unfortunately it was raining and foggy so we didn't see it at it's best and some parts you couldn't see at all.