I did not surrender my US Passport upon boarding the cruise ship in Southampton, UK, and I did not receive any notification as to where to meet the Irish Immigration officials to get my passport stamped with an admission stamp to Ireland (which is a visa waiver country). I just got in the line to exit the ship for my shore excursion, figuring I was flagged in the ship's system, and I was. So, I was escorted up to the 6th deck of the ship to have my passport stamped with an admission stamp to Ireland as a visitor good for 90 days, by one of the 3 immigration officials there. I then had to run back downstairs and be scanned out of the ship with my ship's medallion and look for my tour bus.

Anyway, we did a shore excursion to the Blarney Castle, a 30-minute bus ride from the port, crossing over a stone bridge from the 1400s as we left the Great Island. We passed by Black Rock Castle which was built in 1602. Note of interest: There are only 18 letters in the Irish language.

Blarney Castle was the seat of the McCarthy Clan, who refused to secede to British rule. Very, very crowded at the Castle, with lines of 2+ hours to kiss the Blarney Stone, which is said to gift you with eloquence, or the gift of gab, which I don't need. So, we just walked around the castle and went into the 3 gift shops. I bought all of my Irish souvenirs there - a tea towel, a keychain, a bracelet bead, and earrings. The gardens were gorgeous, and even got a little rain blessing while we were there.

Back to the ship by 2:30pm for a late lunch. I called Guest Services to have them send me the immigration instruction letter, which I did not receive when I boarded the ship, I was informed that I was the only one on the ship who maintained physical possession of their passport,

Tomorrow, we are off to Dublin (Day 1 of 2), with an excursion to see Highlights of Dublin.