Last day in Dublin

Last day in Dublin opened with clear skies, but cloudy and cooler. We stared off the day moving the car from the street to the minuscule parking area - I folded the mirrors in to fit through the entrance way. We then joined the Dublin Bus hop-on-hop-off bus. Started with a visit to the Dublin Castle - not the most impressive of the locations we visited on the trip, but definitely more recent historical events occurred here.

Next, the bus over to St. Patrick's Cathedral...that has some impressive glass, including a window to the patron saint

Then back on the bus, out to the Guinness storehouse....

After, we stayed on the bus for a loop out to the Phoenix Park, by the Duke of Wellington monument, the US ambassador's residence as well as the Irish President's residence - almost across the street from one another. We departed the bus back by the Ha'penny Bridge, which is celebrating it's 200th birthday this week, wandering back to the central district (and a little more shopping) before our last pub dinner (Guinness beef stew for me, fish & chips for mom)...

After, it was back to the B&B to pack all the bags.

Wicklow

Today we drove down to Glendalough then Powerscourt

Then the Powerscourt gardens were magnificent 

A drive home along the coast via Wexford, before dinner at another resturant up the street.

Dublin

Met LL's friend/colleague Ann-Marie and headed to the botanical gardens. She is a horticulturist so great to visit with. 

LL had decided this is the type of garden she wants.

Then off to Trinity College, and look at the Book of Kells- couldn't take photos there, but did take photos of the Long Library.

Then dinner at a resturant mentioned by a fellow guest earlier in the trip, which just happened to be up the street.

Kilkenny and Waterford

Started the day by heading up to Kilkenny Castle - the restoration and f the rooms has truly paid attention to detail.

They also had the long picture gallery-

Then hit the studios in the old stable court prior to heading to the car and then pff to Waterford. There we took the tour of the crystal factory - probably only time I've seen Mom hold a football-

Of course, the crystal was pretty spectacular-

Then headed up to Dublin - and hit Friday afternoon traffic. Still made it to the B&B, where Lora Leigh and Jen had checked in earlier. We all headed to dinner, and are tucked up in bead for a day of seeing Dublin tomorrow.

Blarney Castle and Rock of Cashel

Started the day with breakfast at the B&B where we shared a table with a lovely lady from Dublin, but whom was originally from Moscow. It was raining again, but we headed off to the Butter Museum, which went through the history of the butter roads and eventual consolidation of the butter industries as Ireland entered the EU. After, we headed off to BlarneyCastle. By the time we arrived, the weather had started to clear off.

The gardens were quite spectacular, and we spent some time wandering around viewing them all, including the Poison Garden.

Next, we headed up the road - this time it was the major motorway, meaning not the twisty turny roads we've been on. A short time later, we arrived at the Rock of Cashel. We were just in time for the 3:30 tour, which turned out to be the last of the day. The Archbishop's walk and tidbits of information from the guide were well received by the group. It was a reminder not to put a metal rod inside of rock/concrete on the highest point for miles around when you get lightning storms.

The scaffolding has been there for 7 years - guide said that they would be removing it next fall. It was used to dry out the stone and allow repair work to Cormac's Chapel. We then headed over to Kilkenny, where we are bedded down in a hotel across from the castle. Had dinner looking at the river, watching the ducks, swans and human wildlife wandering the river walk.

Muckross House

Started the day with a quick visit to Ross Castle - an original tower house on the shore of an interior lake and fought over in Elizabethan times. 

Then up to Muckross House where we managed to get in the first public tour (we think) at 10:30. The house was gifted to the Irish government around the early 1920's. Queen Victoria visited with Prince Albert and four children the year he Prince died.

After the house, we revisited N71 (the road) from yesterday, through Moll's Gap again, but this time it wasn't raining, so we got to see what was behind the fog...

Then headed through Skibbereen, stopped for lunch at a Tidal flats basin in Rosscarbery, and on to Cork, where we are for the night.

Ring of Kerry

Started around the Ring of Kerry today, and the weather did not cooperate. It started off raining, and as we headed over Moll's Gap it started to clear off - we stopped at Kenmare, visiting the tourist info, a shop or two, and the lace shop. Continued on to the Atlantic way, and got halfway down - then the rain started again. 

Finished the loop and headed back to the hotel, hoping that tomorrow will be better weather . Had a really great good fish and chips back in the hotel - meant to take a photo earlier, but was hungry...

Dingle Peninsula

Started the day with an excellent breakfast at the B&B (eggs Benedict for me, croissant, ham, cheese and fruit for Mom), before heading to Ardfort Cathedral. We were there just before the doors opened. The gentleman manning the desk seemed so thrilled someone was waiting, me gave us a full overview of the location, with visual aids from postcards and the pamphlet that we didn't need to read anything! The Cathedral is one of for different incarnations at the same site.

Headed from there 1 km away to the Ardfort Friary, a contemporary location to the cathedral, but not a well visited site due to location. Then up to the Rattoo Round Tower, one of the most complete towers.

Then back down by Tralee again, to the Slea Head Costal drive- going by the Castlegregory beach, then on to  Connor Pass road to reach Dingle and the start of the drive. Quite enjoyed the views and twisty, curvy road. Not helped by the random sheep sometimes....

(The Connor Pass road, and yes, that is one lane for both up and down)

Hit a quick stop at Inch Beach on our route to Killarney where we are tied up for the night.

(View across the bay, Skellig Michael is the hazy island at the right)

Bunratty Castle to Carrigafoyle Castle

The day started with driving one whole kilometer down the road to Bunratty Castle & Folk Park. Spent several hours at the castle (1400's) and the folk park (18 to 1900's). The castle was well preserved, though it did undergo a renovation in the 1950's. The Folk Park consists of a large numberofbuildings from the era that otherwise would have been demolished.

After, we drove through the center of Limerick, the headed towards the B&B in Tralee. Mom spied a Tesco in route so we stopped and refreshed our bread and cheese before heading on down. Glad we now have awarding GPS s the route wasn't straight forward. After checking on early in afternoon, we headed north to Carrigford Castle. 

After, we headed to the town center and a park where we had a sandwich in the park, while listening to the Folk Music stadium in the background (though for about 20 minutes the KerryMuseum alarm was going off!), before  heading back to the B&B.

Letterfrack

Started and headed to Kylemore Abbey, along with their walled Victorian garden. The abbey is in a very picturesque.

Spent several hours going through it and the gardens-

Headed from there up to Foxmore, to try and see the woolen mill, but they had already shut down for the weekend - so headed towards Galway, while it seemed everyone else was headed out- just got caught in Friday evening traffic. 

Walked from the B&B to a pub for dinner, then back again, and it put us right to sleep.

Galway/Cliffs of Moher

Another clear sunny day, started with a couple of hours at Galway - walked a rickety from Dow by the dock, and Spanish arch, around to the pedestrian area, to Eyre Square before back to the car, where we paused to watch a very big ship maneuver out of a very small harbor.

Then it was off to the Cliffs of Moher, following a costal route around the other side of Galway Bay, where it was clear enough to see the Connomera mountains along with the Aran islands. Once at the Cliffs, had a quick bite to eat, the up the hill where we saw a georgeous view -

Before heading off to tonight's B&B.

(Repost to move behind this morning's delayed post as it didn't publish)

Sligo

Or, as I started thinking of it, Sleigh-go; as that is what it sounded like after we asked someone to pronounce it. Day started cold and rainy, but we set of in search of the Yeats house, Museum and statue - eventually found all three, but the house/museum were closed for renovations

Yeats

We then headed off around the tow, seeing the empty Sligo Abby, before heading back out of town to go to Yeats' gravesite and heading to the megalithic cemetery Carrowmore, by which time the sun had come out and the day was warm, allowing for great views of the site.

Down the Conmerra penninsulia to Letterfrack, where we will start at Kylemore Abby in the morning.

Mom's dessert.....

And mine....

Derry

Started the morning at Gleneagles B&B, where we had orange juice in crystal, berries, homemade scones, along with scrambled eggs and smoked salmon. Went down to the Guildhall, and parked and went to the square in front of the hall and just outside the walls. The clock said 9:55, and they opened at 10 so we waited until the clock tolled before heading in. The woman manning the desk had some wonderful hints about seeing the room and a shortcut to use a local shopping mall to get up the elevation change without all the effort.

Walked through the walled town, up to the cathedral, then up to the walls, and the cannon from the 1600's. Walked downhill to the guild hall, visiting the craft shops along the way, before our parking ran out. Well, it wasn't the running out that was the problem. Right now waiting to hear if I can get the parking ticket cleared as while we had mom's tag hung, it apparently was supposed to be on the dash.

We headed out to Enskellin, driving around the lake, and up to Bellek pottery. We signed up for the 4pm tour, and ended up with a private tour as we were the only ones there!  Interesting to see the artistry and the process and the hand work that goes into it. 

Got gas, then headed to Sligo where we are bedded down for the night.

Again, the photos!

The Derry Guildhall main room

Yarn bombed bike

Belles pottery Factory

Giant's Causeway Coastal Drive

Started by visiting the tower Scrbo, an were ver glad we saw Belfast yesterday, as it was raining in the morning. Did a little driving by the force as some of those roundabouts were a bit tough in the morning rush. Made it to the tower, it's the highest point around. The tower itself was closed, renovations, but the public path and view were open. Headed back through Belfast, and up and around the Costal Causeway- absolutely georgeous. 

Next stop was the Crac-a-something rope bridge - the bridge was originally put in by fishermen so they could string nets to catch salmon. The walk was sunny and the path went up and down, so left mom at the visitor's center. The area also used to be a limestone quarry, and the largest limestone kiln was located there as well.

Headed around the top end, and to the UNESCO site, the Giant's Causeway. Good thing there was a shuttle bus as otherwise mom wouldn't get to see it. Again, quite an amazing set of geological formations, and that it is also under the bulk of the area ground.

Continued around the road, and ended up through Portrush in the middle of a race route for motorbikes - good thing the race wasn't for another 2 days! Hit Derry (Londonderry) at about 7pm, and the B&B was waiting for us - a cup o' tea, and she led us to a local Chinese place for dinner. 

And the photos!

The Scrbo Tower

The first sheep

The rope bridge - sea is only a meter deep

The Giant's Causeway

Beautiful day in Belfast

Day started a little late as we slept in - but slept well. A hot breakfast, then waited for the cab tour - they were late due to a flub with th company, but enjoyed seeing and hearing details and finding out the current attitudes. At the end, we had John (the driver) drop us off at city hall. We signed up for the 2 pm tour of the hall, then headed back to The Bobbin, the cafe in the hall for a tomato soup and toilet break. 

Met the tour guide at 2 pm, along with about 40 others, and got to go up the central staircase, and spend a few minutes sitting in the councilor's chairs. The, to the retiring room with a Titanic theme, and the grand ballroom, being set up for a banquet as we walked through. Tour well worth the time. Ten spent the next few hours wandering the streets looking at the architecture ( an old bank building converted to a Tesco) before wandering back to the waterfront and the Big Fish. A break there for a snack at 5:30, then headed back to the town square and caught the number 9 bus - along with the help of a friendly young man who helped us get off at the right stop.

Another quick break at the hotel, before we walked down to the Barking Dog - had at thought of fish & chips, but the don't serve that on Mondays. However, had a burger that was apparently rated one of the best in Belfast - we would agree. The potato was a St. Mary's strain - excellent for fries! Back to the hotel to bed down for e night - more than 10800 steps ( photos will follow after we find the cable...)

And here are the photos!

Belfast!

Arrived! Spent Saturday morning cleaning out and planting a few new bulbs in the backyard before Doug (Marie's husband) arrived to give us a ride to the airport. Full flight to Toronto, and had listed her as wheelchair, so we had an easy escort through the airport and hit the flight with a few minutes to spare.

With a newfleece blanket, Mom slept quite a bit of the flight. Landed in Dublin, apparently along with 15 other planes – very glad again for the escort once we saw the line for immigration, as he had no qualms about skipping to the front. Quick trip to the car rental agency an a little Renault - working well so far- then headed to Belfast. Stopped a a Sainsburys and got snacks, as well as a sausage roll and Cornish pasty for lunch.

Without getting  the SIM card in Dublin, didn't have a map of Belfast, so after driving through downtown twice, figured out we needed to park and go to info booth. Got there with 30s to spare (they close at 4 on Sunday's) and armed with the map, headed to the B&B. Didn't mind the drive around the town as we got to see a lot of the art and buildings. Found the Gregory, and came in to hit the sack.

Since it is Mom's day, she got her cards and decaf coffee in bed!