In Dublin's fair city

The contrasts between the other bigger city in Ireland, Belfast, stood out straight away. Dublin seemed to be a bit more sorted, grown up and doin' ok. There were less and less boarded up businesses and shops and the 'for sale' signs were not as apparent. 

There was a focus on the Irish music and dancing in most of the pubs around town

and even on buses where Mr X  was even seen to be clapping along to the 'The Gypsy Rover!'

Their history told of the famine and the Easter Rebellion of 1916 and the lasting effects that these two events still have on their day to day life. They lost 3 million during the famine (1 million died and 2 million left) and the population has never recovered since. Even last night's news on TV still spoke about the challenges of increasing the population as election promises in upcoming elections.

  The Kilmainham Gaol where many political prisoners were held.

The many statues that inhabit the Dublin streets attest to the high esteem held for the Easter Rebels and those who followed in the struggle for independence. Their is an US and WE culture apparent in Dublin.

Dublin is also proud of its contribution to culture. James Joyce, George Bernard Shaw and Oscar Wilde are celebrated through the town

and much is made of theatre, film and music with even a U2 graffiti wall down in the docklands area.

Confusion reigned over which cathedral belonged to which denomination, tricking many with the central 'St Patrick's Cathedral' being Anglican. St Patrick sure got around. Everyone  wants to claim him throughout Ireland 

 The Catholics on the other hand are now claiming the two recent saint- additions with banners flying proudly. Not sure what the connections with Ireland were, but the newspapers and TV news sure connected some strange dots!

The 'Book of Kells' , the beautifully crafted manuscript containing the four Gospels of the New Testament was recommended by a fellow traveller and our tourists ticked that off the list as well. The Trinity College library in which it is housed entertained Mr X with more Vikings stories.

Walking and exploring the city also gave insights into drinking, smoking and fighting that are part of the fabric of Dubliners ( said without judgement as Aussies can't talk) 

Mr X witnessed a fight/ arguement and in no time a crime scene was taped off by police.

In another incident, Ms X also had her mouth open wide when she heard a young woman say to a policeman when asked about some details as he was trying to sort out a disturbance " what's it to you?" The police officer quickly responded with some 4 letter words to her which actually made her understand!

 Ms X had her feet up one day as she bravely gave Mr X map- reading duties in Dublin. Relax, it was only for one day!

Our tourists didn't get to see old Molly Malone this time in Dublin's fair city as her statue was being moved to make room for tram tracks. Maybe next time.

Cliffs, peninsulas and a lovely town called Adare.

A perfectly clear sunny day to see the spectacular Cliffs of Moher 

 

.......time spent just looking and appreciating the views

 

No other words left to describe it other than magical.

When one is winging it, one has to be open to talking and listening to the locals. 

Madeline from Galway:

'Where are you off to now?'

'Why would you be going there?'

'Have you thought of going this way and stopping at the little historical town of Adare?'

That is the advantage of  'winging it'

Our travellers had been planning on going to Limerick. It sounded lovely. It sounded Irish. How were they to know that folk in other towns called it STAB CITY. So that is how they ended up in a little town called Adare. On the recommendation of Madeline, the B&B owner in Galway, Mr and Ms sidled into the town quite late after visiting the cliffs.

There wasn't a lot on of accommodation on offer ( of course the Adare Manor was their back up plan!)

There was a guesthouse in which Mr X was reluctant to try but the clock was ticking by and it was either the guesthouse or drive on.  What a fantastic surprise. A gem made special by the owners, Eileen and Denis her husband.

 Eileen and Denis' guesthouse.

Dinner at Sean Collins place that night gave further recommendations.

Sean:

'Where are you off to now?'

'Why would you be going there?'

'Have you thought of stopping in Adare an additional night, driving down to the Dingle peninsular for the day and then coming back to my pub again tomorrow night to hear some Irish music?'

So that is how the travellers ended up staying an additional night in the Adare Country House with Eileen and Denis.

The next morning Denis and Eileen couldn't help themselves from giving advice on the route to take to the Dingle Peninsular.

Denis and Eileen:

'Where are you off to now?'

'Why would you be going there?'

'Have you thought of taking the right fork in the road and driving through the Connor Pass?'

You guessed it,

They did.

And they went back to Sean's pub to eat and to listen to some music.

Me thinks that Galway Madeline, Adare's Denis and Eileen and the publican Sean are all in cahoots.

And they did drop into the very exclusive Adare Manor to tell them they had found somewhere better to stay!

 The Manor