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Ireland & USA 2016
  • Trotting the Globe
May – Jun 2016

Ireland & USA 2016

A 44-day adventure by Trotting the Globe Read more
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  • Trip start
    May 10, 2016
    Trotting the GlobeIreland & USA 2016Traveler

    Hobart - Melbourne

    May 10, 2016 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 6 °C

    This is what we woke up to today - snow down to about 600m on Mt Wellington! Looking forward to leaving this weather behind for (hopefully) warmer climes - well maybe not in Ireland but definitely in the US!! Poor Will knows something's up and we'll probably come home to a big hole dug in the garden. His method of protest at being left behind!!
    Aaron met us at the airport, dropped his car at the apartment and we caught the tram into the city to meet Vanessa for lunch. Had no idea where we were going until we walked into - The Press Club!!!!! Who should be sitting at the table next to us but George Calombaris himself? I guess you can do that when you own the restaurant and aren't busy filming MASTERCHEF.
    The food was divine, the wine excellent and the company the absolute best. Truly one of the best meals I've ever eaten & Ron agreed so it must've been good! It ended with coffee and delicious chocolate squares pegged to a mini Hills Hoist!!
    Thank you Aaron & Vanessa for a truly awesome experience and a meal we will never forget.
    Then to Uniqlo to buy down jackets ready for the Irish weather and off to the airport for a very l-o-n-g flight to Dubai.
    First two shots in Hobart, next three some of our food and the last also shows the chocolTe washing on the Hills Hoist.    Read more

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    Melbourne - Dubai

    May 11, 2016 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    Very long flight made even less pleasant because I felt quite ill at one stage - clammy skin, sweats, blurred vision & diarrhoea. As a result I didn't eat anything for about 12 hours until breakfast just before we landed. Apart from that it was a good flight despite the two littlies across the aisle. One poor litttle mite was asleep in the bassinet several times and had to be taken out because of turbulence, which resulted in him screaming continuously. To make the connection to Dublin we had to use two lots of lifts, one train & then walk for about 30 minutes to get to the gate. It was an endless walk with the same layout repeated all the way along. The good thing about this airport is that, no matter which gate you are waiting at, there is always food available nearby.
    A couple of shots of inside the terminal and a view outside from the boarding gate.    Read more

  • Trotting the GlobeIreland & USA 2016Traveler

    Dubai - Dublin

    May 12, 2016 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ 🌫 10 °C

    A better flight this time - only about 7 1/2 hours this leg, which is bearable. Blindingly obvious why it's called the Emerald Isle as there was nothing but green fields as far as the eye could see from the plane.
    Christine - we waved to you as the plane flew over Manchester, but you would've been too busy packing to see !!!
    Once we got inside the terminal the thing that struck us most was how eerily quiet it was, especially as it was about 12.30 p.m. Caught the bus to the city - closer to the airport there were lots of lovely conjoined cottages all with gardens that were neat as a pin and lots of lovely trees. As you got closer to the city they became a little less neat and there were lots of shopfronts that weren't particularly attractive, with the occasional one that's sign was written in gold lettering on black ( looked typically Irish). Not too long a walk to the hotel, which is next to the main fire station and just around the corner form the main Garda station so we should be pretty safe here!! The hotel foyer is quirky, with purple couches and an eclectic style. Room wasn't ready so we dumped our bags and walked to Grafton Street via Trinity College grounds. They are beautiful and we plan to come back for a wander. The grass was bright green and the buildings magnificent - what a beautiful place to spend your student days. We walked along Grafton Street, the main shopping street. The overall impression of the place was one of disruption because they are laying tracks on the roads and there are temporary crossings on almost every street sO you can't get an uninterrupted view of the area. There were sooo many people - everywhere you looked there seemed to be waves of people coming towards you in every direction. We started to flag pretty seriously so went back to our room which, thankfully, was ready and showered away all that airplane grime! Heavenly. Had a bite to eat in the hotel and then hit the bed for some much-needed proper sleep, as neither of us had really slept on the plane in over 11 hours of flying.
    First two shots are of the hotel, second two of Trinity College and the last two taken on the way back to the hotel, with Doyle's pub and finally the huge Garda headquarters, a very old & bleak looking building.    Read more

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    Dublin

    May 13, 2016 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C

    TRINITY CITY HOTEL
    Fantastic breakfast, beautiful surroundings, great food (heard of black pudding but not white pudding. Its made with cereals and no blood!) & excellent service. Absolutely everyone, including guests, is so friendly and the lilting Irish accent is so gentle & soothing. The decor of the hotel is rather opulent in an understated way. The view of the restaurant roof below our 3rd floor shows a crocodile, tiger and gargoyles, heaven knows why!!
    The hotel is next to the central fire station, ( actually it is in the fire station building)and just around the corner from the central Garda station.
    Some shots of the animals on the restaurant roof & some views of the foyer.    Read more

  • Trotting the GlobeIreland & USA 2016Traveler

    Dublin,

    May 13, 2016 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C

    TRINITY COLLEGE
    Great night's sleep followed by an excellent breakfast this morning. Beautiful weather this morning - blue sky and the temperature was very pleasant. Made our way to Grafton Street & decided to have another look at Trinity College on the way, as the sun was shining and great for taking photos. The grounds are beautiful, perfectly manicured lawns, playing field & beautiful garden areas for students to relax in. Not all buildings are old - there are also the necessary modern, soulless ones theought the grounds. Exciting atmosphere with students racing all over the place in earnest. One bit of excitement - saw someone in military fatigue trousers handcuffed and being led away by police officers - all very lowkey. Love the bicycles - reminds me of Oxford. Last shot is of people queued to get into The Book of Kells.Read more

  • Trotting the GlobeIreland & USA 2016Traveler
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    Dublin

    May 13, 2016 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    Walked half of Dublin to find Dublinia, a museum about the history of the city from the Vikings through the Medieval Ages & how archaeologists have discovered the events of the past. It is in an old church which is joined to Christ Church Cathedral by an old stone arch over the road. It was all explained in a way that was very easy to grasp - Ron was in his element learning about his 'an editors'. They were a hardy bunch those Vikings!! No photos allowed except on the Viking level the medieval section was also interesting but the fascinating section was about how the archaeologists dig, determine the age and preserve what they unearth. In the 1970s the Dublin City Council decided to build its new offices on the dock are! Which was known to be rich in archeological treasures. After a public outcry some of the land was saved for excavation but most was simply built on. What a tragedy when you consider how rich in history this area was.
    We crossed the bridge into the cathedral. The ticket gave us entry to the crypt and it wa amazing. The area was huge and contained the treasures of the cathedral, including illuminated books, gold and silverware, costumes from The Tudors ( some of the series was filmed in the cathedral) & a case,containing the skeletons of the cathedrall's cat & rat. There was a tiny shop (of course) and chairs to sit on, almost like a cafe, which seemed a bit bizarre.

    Dinner tonight was Irish stew with Guiness at O'Neills pub - delicious! Then, after walking all day, bed!!!    Read more

  • Trotting the GlobeIreland & USA 2016Traveler

    Dublin

    May 13, 2016 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    Next stop the free museum in the Chester Beatty Library in the grounds of Dublin Castle. As the grounds are extensive it took us a while to find it but when we did it sure was worth it! Chester Beatty was an American mining magnate and collector of paintings and books. The two exhibits were The Art of the Book and another on a Qur'an. The illuminated and illustrated pages were beautiful beyond belief. The 350 page Qur'an had been unbound in order to display certain pages and after the exhibition closes it will be rebound. Worth googling Chester Beatty! We had a much- needed lunch after having walked Dublin for some hours. Unfortunately we couldn't take photos which was a real pity. Next stop the Dublin National Museum of Archaeology. Again this is a free museum and an absolute gem. It has exhibits from prehistoric times and includes a section on Ancient Egypt and, of course, the Vikings. One of the most fascinating exhibits was the two bog bodies that were discovered almost fully preserved in peat bogs. Didn have much time there but we had been before so were selective about what we chose to see.Read more

  • Trotting the GlobeIreland & USA 2016Traveler

    Dublin

    May 14, 2016 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C

    Last day at this hotel - really love it here. Off out for a walk to Temple Bar area just to have a look around the other end of town (& no doubt we'll see some people with VERY sore heads there!). Its definitely the livelier (i.e. younger) part of the city. Walked to the GPO and back, had a snack in Marks & Spencer then checked out and caught a taxi to Clontarf Castle Hotel.
    What a sight it was driving up the beautiful tree-lined drive to see the imposing castle at the end. A very classy establishment in a very affluent area. Pretty much every house has a luxury vehicle in the driveway! After checking in we walked to the 'village', about 10-15 minutes away. Apparently there were confirmations on in the town today - lots of little girls in very fancy dresses and some boys in suits going to functions with their families. Had lunch in Picasso, an Italian restaurant which is just across the road from the waterfront. The area has a real 'seaside' feel about it and as the weather has been so nice lots of people were in shorts & summer gear. Just didnt feel like we were still in Dublin.
    Ron went for a look around the grounds and came back beside himself - he got to sit in the driver's seat of a VERY expensive Ferrari belonging to someone in the hotel.
    First two shots are of the hotel, then the road leading up to it, then what looks like it may have been something like a gate-keepers cottage, then our beautiful room and lastly a typical house in the area.    Read more

  • Trotting the GlobeIreland & USA 2016Traveler

    Clontarf Castle Hotel

    May 15, 2016 in Ireland ⋅ ☀️ 12 °C

    Clontarf Castle was built in 1172 as part of an inner line of defence sites protecting Dublin. It was demolished in 1837 and completely rebuilt as a castle. In 2006 it underwent a €10 million renovation and it's easy to see the results of that throughout. Some shots of the interior (& Ron's new best friend!). Note the ducks hanging from the window next to the banners. The last shot is looking along the street at the back of the hotel.Read more

  • Trotting the GlobeIreland & USA 2016Traveler

    Clontarf

    May 15, 2016 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    Only 5 degrees when we went for a long walk into Clontarf after breakfast but the sun was shining and there was no wind. The esplanade along the water is wide and there's a separate path for cyclists, which makes for a very pleasant walk. People were out in droves, cycling, jogging, walking, making the most of the beautiful weather. We have been blessed since we arrived - so far pretty much only one season each day instead of four!!
    Some shots from our walk this morning.    Read more

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    Clontarf

    May 15, 2016 in Ireland ⋅ 🌙 9 °C

    Met our tour guide this afternoon and went into Dublin on the tour bus to Glasnevin cemetery. On the way we stopped at Merrion Square Park to see a fantastic statue of Oscar Wilde reclining on a huge rock. Also stopped at the park next to the National Cathedral & then on to the cemetery where Charles Parnell, Daniel O'Connell & Michael Collins (among others!) are buried. There are over 1.5 million people buried in Glasnevin Cemetery. The mound where Parnell is buried also has 11,000 people buried there. Michael Collins's grave was covered in fresh flowers and is one of the most visited. We only had a short time there but to do it justice you would need several hours.
    Returned to the hotel, drinks at 6.30 & then dinner at 7.
    First two shots of the Wilde sculpture and installation in Merrion Square Park, third is where he grew up at 1 Merrion Square. Next is the mound where Parnell is buried , Next is O'Connell's tomb and finally Michael Collins's grave covered with fresh flowers.    Read more

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    Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh

    May 16, 2016 in Northern Ireland ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C

    First day on the tour. The countryside reminded us of Tasmania, especially the road through the midlands. The main difference was all the hedgerows. Apparently there are no large fields here - all the land is divided into small fields. It's so green everywhere, dotted with beige coloured cows & sheep, some with black faces. Crossed the 'border' (you wouldn't know it was there!) into Northern Ireland and continued on before crossing back into Ireland and then eventually back into Northern Island again to the Folk Park outside Omagh. The Park brings the story of Irish emigration to life, starting with the thatched cottages of Ulster, to boarding a full-scale emigrant sailing ship and on to the log cabins of America. The first cottage was the single room cabin that housed a family with 12 children. It dated from the late 1700s with the windows and door being added in 1845. We worked our way around the park including the school house, meeting house and various other buildings until we reached the 'docks'. Ulster Street, a street of original shops, led to the dock, where we 'boarded' the ship to see the conditions people lived in on board. We left the ship and were in the American Street, a street typical of those the emigrants saw when they arrived in the new country. The last house we saw was a Pennsylvania Log House which is a replica because the original is still in the US and is actually occupied.
    First shot is one of the early cottages, second is a peat bog (peat is burned in the fireplaces in the parks buildings), Next two are looking down Ulster Street & one of the shops, next is on the docks and the last is the Pennsylvania Log House.    Read more

  • Trotting the GlobeIreland & USA 2016Traveler

    Donegal

    May 16, 2016 in Ireland ⋅ ☀️ 11 °C

    Visited Donegal Castle in the centre of the town. The only part that has been restored is the tower. At one stage centuries ago the roof was removed to avoid paying the roof tax and it stayed that way for over three centuries. The stone fireplace in the tower survived in remarkable condition depite being open to the elements but anything made of wood was lost. Spent some time looking around the town and walked down to the bay, then on to our hotel for the next two nights. After dinner we walked back into town and went to The Reel Inn, well known locally for its nightly traditional Irish music. It was fun listening to the music (only one tune was familiar) but even more fun watching the characters in the crowd. Despite some of them being pretty much under the weather there was a sense of joy and cheerfulness about the room and everyone was just there to share a good time. It was still getting dark just after ten o'clock!
    The days are long here - light at 5 a.m. and still light well after 9.30 p.m. Once again we were blessed with beautiful weather and the sun was quite hot in the afternoon. The standard greeting everywhere in Donegal is "you're very welcome to......" wherever it is that you are, be it the hotel, the castle or a local shop. It's a very friendly town.
    Some shots of Donegal Castle and one of the bay.    Read more

  • Trotting the GlobeIreland & USA 2016Traveler
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    Donegal

    May 17, 2016 in Ireland ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C

    Our luck has run out and now we know just why it is sooo green here - started raining at breakfast! Heading along the Wild Atlantic Way today. Drove through the fishing port of Killybegs to Teelin where we had to change to a minibus to climb the road to the Slieve League Cliffs. Paddy, our guide, said the cliffs were there and they'd been looking for them all morning!! The fog was so thick you could barely see over the edge of the path, let alone see cliffs that are 1,972 feet high! The fog cleared very slowly and we could see the Atlantic waves but not the cliffs. Had scones and coffee in Teelin and then continued on through the countryside to Triona Design to see the 150 year old loom and a demonstration of weaving of Donegal tweed.
    On to Adara and we had some time to kill before dinner so had a look in some of the shops selling sweaters and tweeds.
    Met one of the great characters of the trip so far! We went into one shop and there was no one at all in there. Eventually a man came in but didn't bother with us and we continued to look at the sweaters. When he heard us speak he said "Australian" and something else we couldn't understand as he spoke so fast and with such a thick Irish accent. Then he said something and we heard "George Bailey" and it was clear he was talking cricket. I wasn't sure I heard correctly but I thought I heard an expletive - I did, and from then on every second or third word was an expletive. When I asked the size of a sweater on the wall he said "How would I ........ know? I can't ....... see from here". When he realised I don't like some sports he wanted to know what was wrong with me. He was hilarious and I couldn't stop laughing when we walked out.
    Had an early dinner at Nancy's in Ardara, a seventh generation owned restaurant. Had the best vegetable soup I've eaten in a very long time & beef and Guiness pie - all absolutely delicious. On the way out the owner asked if we would like a drink and gave us a nip of moonshine. It was actually quite delicious, with a slight caramel taste. Then back to the hotel for an Irish storyteller. A nice way to end our stay on Donegal.
    Some shots of the. Outcry side, buildings in Ardara and inside Nancy's.    Read more

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    Belleek, County Fermanagh

    May 18, 2016 in Northern Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C

    Went for a walk before breakfast - beautiful crisp, clear morning.
    First stop Belleek Pottery Factory just across the border in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. The factory tour was fantastic and showed every step in the production process of a piece of Belleek Pottery. The workers take about four years to complete an apprenticeship and it's considered a job for life. The pieces are handled by 16 pairs of hands before completion. Belleek has a very high standard and any piece that is not perfect is destroyed - they don't have seconds. Some of the painting e.g. the shamrocks, are painted freehand and the flowers are all made by hand. The small Museum was interesting and had a mirror that took two craftsmen one year to complete. This was one of the best tours of its kind we have seen.
    The Belleek,factory entrance, some of the workers & the mirror that took one year to make.    Read more

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    Sligo, County Sligo

    May 18, 2016 in Northern Ireland ⋅ ☀️ 9 °C

    Stopped at Drumcliffe Churchyard to see the grave of W B Yeats, Ireland's most famous poet. It's a very simple, unadorned grave, with a quote from one of his poems carved into the ground before you enter the churchyard.
    Then went on to Lissadell House, a large country estate now owned by two Dublin barristers. Its more austere than stately on the outside but very interesting inside. It was the home of the Gore-Booth family and one of their daughters, Constance Markievicz, became a key figure in the Easter Rising of 1916. One of the members of the family had worked, for many years, for Lord Mountbatten and last year Prince Charles came to pay his respects as this woman had been very good to him on the many occasions he had visited Mountbatten. It was the furst timee Charles had been to Sligo since Lord Mountbatten was murdered.
    First shot shows some of the thousands of dry stone walls wa saw. Second is the church where Yeats is buried, third his grave and the last three of Lissadell House & coach house. We weren't allowed to take photos inside.    Read more

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    Galway

    May 18, 2016 in Ireland ⋅ 🌙 10 °C

    Arrived in Galway - very busy city with lots of traffic but it still has a bit of an old town feel to it, which they pride themselves on. Our hotel, which is directly opposite Eyre Square (where they used to hang people), is very old and the rooms are huge. Had a walking tour of Galway with Conor, a PhD student of archaeoastronomy. He was fascinating and explained how certain phrases, such as " won't give them the time of day" came about. Part of the medieval wall has been preserved in the shopping mall and we continued on to see the medieval town. An original church remains, as does a castle that is now a bank. The centre of the city is pedestrian only and it was jam packed with people, locals and tourists. Conor pointed out the best pubs with Irish music and another that sells 150 types of whiskey. One of the pubs was started by the man who beheaded King James. With the money he earned for the job he came back to Ireland and opened a pub and called it The Kings Head and it's still going! Some of the pubs have changed very little inside if at all over the centuries.Read more

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    Connemara

    May 19, 2016 in Ireland ⋅ ☀️ 11 °C

    Started to drizzle as we drove out of Galway on the way to Connemara.
    First stop the Celtic Crystal Centre in Moycullen County. The crystal was stunning and the demonstration awe-inspiring. The cutters have to have a Diploma in Art & another in Graphic Design before they can work there and they then have to train for another seven years to be able to work as a craftsman. The work of Donal, who demonstrated for us, was amazing - all done freehand and from memory, no patterns or templates are used in any of the work here. The company specialises in incorporating Celtic designs and symbols into their patterns and they are unique in the world in doing this. (The Waterford factory has closed and moved its operations to Eastern Europe.)
    Next stop Dan O Hara's Farm in Clifden. We went through some pretty bleak countryside to get there. The land is no good for farming and all that seems to grow there are gorse, some low shrubby bushes and sheep ( LOTS of them). We stopped in at the reception area and then went up the hill in a carriage pulled by a tractor to Dan O Hara's homestead. He was a tenant farmer who enlarged the window and door of his house but as this was illegal he was subsequently evicted and emigrated to America. We stopped at a peat bog on the way up the hill and saw how it is dug up by hand and then continued up to the homestead where peat (or turf as the Irish call it) was burning. This was VERY welcome as it had started to rain. What was even more welcome was the moonshine we were given - pretty potent stuff. It is still illegal to produce moonshine but it would seem that everyone ignores that fact!!
    After dinner we went to Murty Rabbits pub to listen to some music. Wasn't very crowded so it was very pleasant.
    First shot is the piece made by Donal that took 21 hours to make. Second is the reception area at Dan O'Hara's, third is digging the peat, fourth and fifth are O Hara's homestead. Last is of the musicians in Murty Rabbits pub.    Read more

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    Galway

    May 20, 2016 in Ireland ⋅ ☀️ 11 °C

    Raining again this morning but at least it isn't cold. It seems that the lovely weather we had when we first arrived is pretty unusual and rain is the norm. Dominic, our guide/driver is a veritable treasure trove of information and being in the bus is like having a mobile history lesson. Today it was the history of the origins of the IRA, up to Michael Collins's early years.
    The countryside looked very green despite the amount of rock everywhere. There were miles and miles of dry stone fences everywhere and it's easy to see why, because there would be no shortage of rock for walls or anything else.
    Travelled to the Cliffs of Moher and unlike the trip to Slieve League Cliffs there was no fog and we could see them clearly. A very imposing sight rising 700 feet from the sea. We walked up to O'Brien's Tower but it started to rain more heavily and spoiled our viewing. Watched a short IMAX-style movie showing a birds-eye view of the cliffs. Stone rain became heavier as we drove to Bunratty, where we stopped for lunch at Durty Nelly's Pub. Didn't have time to go into the castle and moved on to the Foynes Flying Boat Museum to see a replica Pan Am clipper and hear about air travel in the 1930's & 40's.
    The journey to the hotel in Killarney was through very lush land but very few stone fences in these parts. Nice hotel and beautiful dinner but weariness meant an early night. Dominic has a rest day tomorrow so we have a new guide/driver for the day. The European Union imposes strict rules on drivers and they must rest after 6 days driving. He is tracked every day, how many/how long breaks he has, the speed he drives etc etc. After 3 weeks this information is fed into a computer and if he is found to have broken any rules his job is at risk.
    First two shots show the stonewalls in the countryside, next two are of the Cliffs, next is Bunratty Castle and the last at the Flying Boat Museum.    Read more

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    Ring of Kerry, Killarney

    May 21, 2016 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    Went for a walk before breakfast - crisp but dry (for a short time)! By the time the group photo was taken after breakfast it was starting to drizzle and once on the coach the rain had started!! Batt (Bartholomew) our fill-in driver for the day, started the trip around the Ring of Kerry. This is one of the most picturesque routes in Ireland, starting in Killarney, around the Dingle Peninsula & ending in Killarney. This was a wonderful day full of beautiful scenery and some interesting sights, made all the more enjoyable by Batt's singing and jokes.
    First stop was a sheepdog demonstration. The shepherd explained the different breeds of sheep, the one with four horns was interesting! Couldn't believe it when we came across a woman who was guiding another group and, when she found out we were from Tasmania, asked if I knew someone she knew in Bream Creek, which I did. It's a very small world!
    Then we continued through some of the most beautiful countryside of the trip. The rain cleared and it made such a difference. We passed Macgillycuddy's Reeks, the highest mountains in Ireland and the rugged coastline. Next stop was the Skellig Experience on the tip of the peninsula. We watched a short film on Skellig Michael, an island about seven miles off the coast which had been inhabited by monks wanting to live in isolation over 2000 years ago. They built stone huts and 650 steps to the top, where they believed they could be closest to God. They did this with virtually no implements and the results are amazing. Some scenes from Star Wars VII were, and some of Star Wars VIII will also be, filmed here.
    Lunch at the Smuggler's Inn and then on to Moll's Gap with magnificent panoramic views of the valley, the Skellig Islands & hills. The man selling honey at Moll's Gap was also selling 'holy water' (poteen) for €5, which you had to ask for as it wasn't on display. Apparently everyone, including the Garda, know he sells it but no one bothers about it. There were a couple of other old timers up there, one playing the accordion and his dog would start howling when he stopped playing. The other one had a lamb, baby deer & fox, which were real drawcards.
    Stopped at Sneem for home made ice cream and then continued on to Killarney.
    Before we had dinner we took one of the jaunting cars ( horse-drawn carriage) through the Killarney National Park. It was so lovely and green everywhere.
    First shot is the four-horned sheep, second is Portmagee,the fishing village near the Skellig Experience, next shows the Skellig islands in the distance, next two are from Moll's Gap and the last is of the man holding the fox.    Read more

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    Killarney #2

    May 21, 2016 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    Some more shots of the countryside, shops in Sleem and a lone bagpiper we came across when we stopped for photos. It was windy and cold up there but it was a joy to happen on a busker in such an unexpected place - that's Ireland for you!! Last two shots were in the National Park.Read more

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    Blarney

    May 23, 2016 in Ireland ⋅ 🌙 7 °C

    Last day of the tour today and everyone was feeling rather sad to be leaving Dominic. He's been a wonderful driver, guide and historian and it's clear we will all miss him. We planned a surprise for him tonight. The group ( 22 were American, one Englishman & two Aussies) was terrific - there were no problems of any sort and people got along really well.
    Went for a walk before breakfast - crisp and cool but clear blue sky. Tried to find the mural of Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty, who had saved many Allied POWs & Jews from the Gestapo but could only find the statue. He was responsible for the safety of over 6,000 people when he worked at the Vatican during WWII. The movie The Scarlet and the Black, starring Gregory Peck, was about his life and he was much-loved in Killarney.
    Drove to Blarney Castle and of. Purse on the way it started to rain and rain heavily!! We spent our time in the gardens, which are beautiful but much too extensive to cover in a couple of hours. We did NOT kiss the stone!! Had lunch at the Blarney Woollen Mills and looked around the shop - the largest Irish shop in Ireland and it WAS big!!
    Then to our hotel to freshen up before the drive to Howth and dinner and the show at the Abbey Tavern. The show was sensational - a singer, fiddler, guitarist and four absolutely startling dancers who have danced in Lord of the Dance. It was the best night and a fitting way to end our tour. When we were back on the bus we sang a song (to the tune of Danny Boy) one of the group had written for Dominic and he was, for once, speechless. It was a lovely way to part company with this man who had be one our friend over the previous nine days.
    We have three nights left here before leaving Ireland.
    The first shot is Monsignor O'Flaherty's statue in Killarney, second is Blarney Castle, third an installation in the Poison Garden, fourth some rhododendrons and the last two are from the fantastic show at the Abbey Tavern.    Read more

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    Dublin

    May 23, 2016 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    Caught a taxi into the city after breakfast and waited for the Hop on Hop off bus. Fantastic commentary with loads of Irish humour. We got off at the Jameson Distillery stop and did the tour, which included a comparative tasting of Jameson, Johnnie Walker & Jack Daniels. The Jameson was by far the nicest and after the free glass at the end I felt a tad lightheaded!! Hopped on another bus ( more Irish humour) and continued around the city. Went through Phoenix Park, the largest public park in Europe, and saw the red deer, Dublin Zoo and the Irish President's residence. Continued on to the stop near the GPO and went to the Easter Rising exhibition. Very interesting and sobering. Forty civilians were killed when the PO was atta led, including a two year old boy in a pram. There's merchandise and memorabilia throughout the city, banners in the streets and posters in buildings.
    Had a wander and then walked back to the hotel, past the American Embassy, which is a very strange circular building. The footpaths are very wide here and it's a very pleasant city to walk in.
    Dinner with some friends from the tour and then bed.
    Shot of the gates at the Guiness Storehouse, outside the Jameson Distillery, in the courtyard & Ron enjoying his free taste. Last two at the Easter Rising exhibition. The final shot is the Childrens Memorial, with one rock for each child killed in the Rising - the age of each child is represented by the size of each rock.    Read more

  • Trotting the GlobeIreland & USA 2016Traveler

    Dublin #2

    May 24, 2016 in Ireland ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C

    Last full day in Dublin and the weather was glorious. - clear blue sky and no rain!! After breakfast we walked around the beautiful park next to the hotel - swan in the lake, another nesting under the bushes and lots of ducks and some ducklings swimming happily.
    Walked into the city again, past many lovely old buildings and got on the hop on bus to Merrion Square. It stopped just around the corner from the house Oscar Wilde and his father lived in. Went to see The Little Museum of Dublin, a very small museum covering the decades of the twentieth century and consisting of mainly donated items. They had an original of the Proclamation that was read out on the steps of the GPO during the Easter Rising. They also have the original agreement negotiated by Eamon De Valera & the British after the rebellion - the most valuable item in their collection. They have a room devoted to U2 & Bono and another on communications. A great little museum that charts the growth of the Republic. Had lunch in The Hatch, the lovely little cafe next to the museum. Probably our last Irish meal of vegetable soup and beef and Guiness stew!! Walked around the city for a while and then back to the hotel in the glorious sunshine, ready to pack. We leave at 4 a.m. In the morning so need to be very organised!!
    Some shots from our walk into the city. The first shows one of the locks on the canal that runs through the city, the second a very busy little coffee hut, the next a wire sculpture in a garden , then one of the houses on the street & the last is the maternity hospital.    Read more

  • Trotting the GlobeIreland & USA 2016Traveler

    Dublin

    May 24, 2016 in Ireland ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C

    Up about 2.45 to get ready for the taxi to the airport at 4! The hotel gave us a breakfast bag with muffins & fruit, most of which we gave to a group of American students at the airport. Checked our bags through to Chicago (yay) but couldn't go through US pre-clearance because we're stopping in London, albeit only long enough to change planes. Dublin airpOrt certainly has changed since we were here 13 years ago and the safety screning was probably the criendlieSt and most efficient I've ever experienced.
    Observations/things learned about Ireland:
    * Absolutely everywhere you go, even on the hop on bus, you are told that you are "very welcome" here. Some places say it twice, once to Ireland and once to where you actually are.
    *Very friendly and jolly people.
    * The Irish are very loyal and patriotic and those involved in tourism are well- informed about their history.
    * According to the guide at the Little Museum many Irish people have a copy of Ulysses in their home but most of them probably haven't read it!
    * Meals are generally very generous serves.
    * Only saw lamb on the menu once, it's usually beef & Guiness stew not Irish stew as we know it.
    * The Irish national hurling and Gaelic football teams are amateurs and aren't paid.
    * People are generally positive that lasting peace has finally come to Ireland.
    * I still hate Guiness!! But I do like Jameson whiskey!

    DUBLIN - LONDON
    Arrived at the airport about 4 a.m. and there was a very, very long queue but it moved steadily. The wonderful Aer Lingus lady booked our cases through to Chicago, but also added Louisville onto the tag, which eventually meant that we didn't need to pay for any of them! Security at Dublin airport was the most efficient and friendly I've experienced anywhere.
    OK Aer Lingus flight to London and not much time before next connection.

    LONDON - CHICAGO
    Fantastic flight on British Airways - lovely crew, great food, fantastic entertainment system & quite comfy seats. US Immigration & security were a nightmare and a total shmozzle.
    Arrived at the gate to find the flight to Louisville was delayed by an hour and eventually cancelled due to lightning. We rebooked on a flight leaving at 7.15 the next morning, arrive in Louisville at 1.20 in the afternoon. Ron bought a prepaid SIM card for the phone but we couldn't get the old one out. Internet was only free for half an hour and was dodgy anyway. I had to borrow a kind man's phone to call Norman and let him know. We decided to try for a room at the Hilton, which was next to the airport but they didn't have any. Caught a shuttle to the Hyatt but they didn't have any either so we had to go back to the airport. They had put out lots of stretcher beds with pillows and blankets in the terminal so we grabbed two and stayed put for the night - a first for us! Got quite cold during the night and I didn't get much sleep but it certainly was nice to be able to lie down.

    CHICAGO - LOUISVILLE (via Charlotte)
    Good flight to Charlotte but not much time to spare for the connection to Louisville.
    Norman was waiting and had been there at 9.30 this morning and had to go away and come back!!
    It's great to be back in Bardstown again. It's so green everywhere - a bit like Ireland.
    Shots of our beds for the night in O'Hare airport.    Read more

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