Take me to Church...

During our driving journey across the and around the country we had heard Hozier many times, Rihanna and Paul singing 4-5 seconds and Kelly Clarkson, over and over. They are the songs here in Ireland right now.

Thursday was another rain free day- wow not a sign of the wet stuff since we have been in Europe- lucky us.  We caught a cab to the Queen of Tarts-I had heard it was a good  place to eat and was close to our first place to visit.  We had a great breakfast but their tarts and cakes looked to die for and we had no room after breakie.  We then walked the few 100 feet to the Christchurch Cathedral and wen ton to this amazing church- the upstairs was stunning- the remains of Strongbow are buried here.  But the Crypt was where all the history was- the had some gold and silver chalices going back to the 1100's... There was a lot to take in and see down there- there is even the mummified remains of a cat and rat that were found in an organ pipe!  The TV show the Tudors used this church extensively in their filming too.  Then we were off to the Guinness Storehouse our next top.  A 10 minute walk away and we were there- we had pre-bought our tickets as we heard that it was incredibly busy this last week with St Paddys and all. Apparently 7000 people visited yesterday.  We got in with no line up and were pretty soon looking at the beer process.  The whole tour was set on 5 floors and really was quite interesting - the girls were into it too.  We must have spent about 1.5 hours walking through the tour and learning about this fine stout!  The tour culminated at the beer university - Frank and I both learnt how to pour the perfect Guinness and then got to enjoy our pour.  That is a pretty yummy beer- although so filling Frank had to finish his and mine (life is tough).  Then we mad our way up to the Gravity bar and got a 360 degree view of Dublin.  By this time it was close to 1:30 and the girls were hungry,  we made our way back towards the city core and St Patricks church- our next church.  Just outside this church we happened on a wonderful sandwich shop- fresh yummy smoothies and sandwiches were had by all- after all the heavy food we have been eating this was a treat.  Then in to St Patrick's- another gorgeous church, called the "people's Church" and said to be the first place that St Patrick performed mass.  Inside it was pretty crowded - but impressive none the less.  i had no idea that Jonathan Swift the author was a priest and in fact had been the high priest at this church when he wrote Gulliver's Travels.  Our last stop of the day was Trinity College- we walked from the St Patricks, past St Stephens Green- up Grafton shopping area and to the college. I wanted to see the Book of Kells- but the cost was silly 10 euros per person - after having spent so much to get into all the sites we had seen today this was just too much, plus we were pretty tired at this point.  So back to the hotel - Frank and I both had a quick nap.  Then it was off again for dinner- we had read about "the Church" and so made our way there- after getting lost a few times we found the place.  A huge 19th century church that had fallen into ruins and had been bought by a local and turned into an impressive restaurant.  There  are actually about 4 different sections in this church that have different menus, but we sat in the main hall and had a wonderful dinner (fish and chips) accompanied by a great live duo singing some great Irish songs- there were also Irish dancers who performed a few jigs.  A great place to eat and be entertained.  After a few hours we left and Frank wanted to visit the Brazen head- Ireland's oldest pub- we ambled along the Liffy and found this pub- a great little place- genuinely old.  After a quick visit we caught a cab to the hotel ago pack for our early departure tomorrow.

What a wonderful city and country to visit -loved it and will be back.

Cross Country!

Wednesday we awoke to another stunning blue sky day.  We were up early (Frank had to get the car from the car park by 8:30) and down to Coco's for breakfast. I enjoyed a bowl of Irish oats- i love this stuff.  Then we were off in search of the N2/M2 across the country towards Dublin.  The signage once again was so easy to follow and we were on the highway in no time.  The main motorways have speed limits of 100-120 Km/hr so we were making good time on our eastward journey.  We had debated making a sided trip to Newgrange and were not sure if we could squeeze it in?  But we were at Trim (the turn off point) by noon and figured it was worth the side trip.  We turned and were once again on all the small side roads that are hair raising to navigate.  We stopped for gas (diesel) too at this point- we had travelled about 900km's using about 3/4 of a tank- pretty impressive.
WE meandered through the small towns towards Newgrange- wishing we had time to stop at them- Trim castle looks gorgeous! We found ourselves at the parking lot and took the long walk down to the visitor centre- when we arrive we were informed that the next tour left at 1:45pm ( you have to catch a bus there).  Well it was a little later than we had hoped but we had come this far.  We had a snack and then browsed the display talking about Newgrange. This stone mound- is built with such precision that on the Winter Solstice a bean of light enters the long tunnel and then lights up an interior cavern about 50 m down- but only on the solstice. Wow.
We made our way to the bus for our 5 minute ride and arrived at this site in the middle of the fields.  This site was built 500 years BEFORE the great pyramids. Our tour guide- frank- was awesome- cut, dried and to the point.  We walked the outside of this mound and saw the stone engravings that they have no idea what they mean.  Then we got to enter the tunnel and down to the cavern.  All built with stacked stone and huge pieces that had apparently come for the Wicklow Mountains 600km's away!  The small round cavern was cold and just amazing to see.  We all crowded round as Frank simulated what the winter solstice would look like- pretty incredible.  After an hour at this site we were back on the bus- parking lot bound and Dublin after that.
Back on the road and we were at the car drop off by 4pm.  We had decided we didn't need a car in Dublin.  We caught a cab and were at the North Star Hotel by 4:30.  WE deposited our bags, freshened up and hit the streets.  Our hotel was north of the Liffey- we walked down O'Connell street and were at the Liffey and bridges in 10 minutes, we crossed and were in Temple Bar district. A great vibrant area- we found the famous Temple Bar and then we were in search of dinner.  We saw the Norseman pub and restaurant, love music and all and headed up stairs. The beef stew was so good and the girls had some good burgers too.  After dinner we took a stroll up to the main street- the girls found a candy store and i saw a horse and buggy go by - flagging him down he promised to be back in 5 minutes.  We climbed aboard and had a lovely night tour of the city- the Guinness store, castle, churches and back to our hotel for a curbside drop off.  Then it was up to bed for the girls - Frank and I had a drink in the bar and then we were all out for the night- before our heads hit the pillow.

A whole lotta green!

March 17th and St Patrick's day has arrived.  We woke to a gorgeous sunny morning.  The townhouse we were staying at had a lovely cafe- Coco's downstairs and we trooped off for a pre-parade breakfast.  Scrambled eggs, bacon and toast for me, a HUGE omelet for Frank and the girls had french toast with fruit and maple syrup.  The coffee was awesome too.  Then it was up a half block or so to Eyre Square- the roads were filling up fast- we found a spot in the sun and waited behind the guard rails for the parade to begin.  We found some friendly leprechauns handing out necklaces and some general cheer.  After about an hour the parade started up the street- there were little kids hurling, huge floats, small floats- some interesting characters all round- there was even a circus and the local army contingent.  A good hour or so of parade and it was over.  What a great way to spend a morning in Ireland.
Afterwards we headed to a camera store that I had found, who could charge my battery for 5 euros- being there is still no sign of my charger I will have to do this so I can capture the rest of this trip.  We had 2 hours before we could return and retrieve it.  A coffee shop sounded in order while the crowds dispersed (most of the crowds straight to the pubs!) We walked back down shop street to the water and a lovely walk on the water to the tip of Galway- there was plenty of cheer going on that is for sure.  The girls were hungry, so we made a quick stop at Apache Pizza- and then back up the street to retrieve my battery.  Back to the room we had a small break from the madding crowds - we could hear them walking by!
We headed back out and thought we would search for a pub and some dinner- this were knew might be a tough task at this hour and considering that people were piling into the pubs and not so many leaving.  We tried the Kings Head again- we got in but it was packed- we were prevented from going out for a few minutes as a couple of guys had decided to cause a ruckus with the bouncers (silly boys).  We walked down a ways on the main drag then turned down a little side street and happened upon Busters Bar- the food looked good and the crowd pretty tame- we even found a table right away.  The girls ordered a small dinner - still full from the pizza.  Frank and I were pretty famished- we had good burger and Irish stew respectively.  After we were full and ambled back to the hotel.  The girls were done, so we dropped them off and then headed out for a nightcap- we found a bit of live music and some great drinks in a bar called Garvans.  The Irish coffee was to die for. A quick one and we headed back to the hotel dodging the litter strew streets- the was one heck of a mess left after all this St Paddy's revelry. A great bucket list item checked off.

The Cliffs of Insanity!

We left Bunratty after a hearty breakfast (they know how to do breakfast in this country!)  We were headed for the cliffs of Moher.  The drive only took about 45 minutes- during which we passed through some pretty neat little towns- one had this incredible church and graveyard up on a hill - after a few wrong turns we found our way up there- pretty spectacular.

Then on to the cliffs- we arrived, payed out 12 euros to enter and park and up the hill to the tourist centre, not much there so we headed straight for the cliffs. WOW!  There is no way to really describe these majestic cliffs, erupting from the ocean below- there were a good many tourists enjoying the site- but not too many that it was not enjoyable.  We climbed the O'brien tower for a wonderful view and noticed a helicopter hovering over the cliffs.  We had seen a few "official" looking people standing near the cliff edges earlier and figured they were just nuts- but perhaps they were looking for someone?  Just yesterday I read about a surfer who had scaled down the treacherous goat path to go and surf what people call the perfect wave- Aileen's wave.  Firstly the path is deadly and then the wave can throw you into the cliffs at anytime- this guys got caught under the cliffs and they spent hours trying to get him out.  I also noticed a lot of "if you need help please call us" sign around- suggesting that people perhaps feel the need to jump off the cliffs - which you can do at any point really.

We continued on our little hike along the cliffs, the further we go the more nervous Frank was getting as the path is quite narrow at points and some people really do get super close to that edge!  He and Delaney turned back and Dani and I continued a little ways to a rocky outcrop- still not getting too close (as the helicopter and now a coast guard boat way below were circling the area?!)

After some selfies we headed back and met Frank and Delaney at the tower (it was so cold by this point were were ready to be done!)  Back to the car and on to Galway.

The drive was about another 1.5 hours.  We stopped at a pub at the side of the road for a good pub lunch, continuing on our way, we drove through the Burren.  A very strange landscape that is almost Mars like- just rock really as far as the eye can see.

We arrived in Galway later afternoon- found our hotel with relative ease and checked in.  There was no parking so Frank had to park in the public lot not too far away.

We freshened up and the headed out.  We are right at the Latin Quarter- which is bustling and full of pubs and cute shops- we browsed and then settled in at the Kingshead pub for some drinks and dinner.  A great atmosphere but the service- meh!  After a few hours the girls were pooped- so they headed back to the hotel with us- we settled them in and the headed downstairs to the "hole in the wall" for a nightcap.  What a busy town this is- lots of fun.