Ireland

What was to be a short drive to Fishguard, Wales and a short ferry ride across the Irish Sea turned into a very full day of travel. Because of problems with the ferry, large vehicles were not being allowed on. So, we traveled by coach north about 6 hours to Hollyhead for a 3 ½ hour ferry ride to Dublin followed by a 2-hour coach ride to Waterford, Ireland. We were weary! 

But we enjoyed the ferry ride.

Ireland is a beautiful country! It didn’t disappoint anything we’d heard about its beauty. Geopolitically it is divided between the Republic of Ireland, an independent state of the British Isles, and Northern Ireland, which is part of United Kingdom. I was reading a novel about the Irish War of Independence in the years 1919-1921 during the trip and it was fascinating to learn more about the country’s history. The Home Rule bill passed to allow Ireland to become an independent country, but excluded 6 counties in the north that became Northern Ireland, part of the UK. 

 We arrived to an elegant formal dinner with white tablecloths, lovely salmon dinner and Irish coffee. It was greatly enjoyed in spite of our rumpled state. 

 

Waterford is the oldest city in Ireland and has 1000 years of history, founded by the Vikings in 914. Reginald’s Tower, the city’s landmark monument, remains from that time. 

It is also home to Waterford crystal. The first flint glass was blown in 1783 and has become the factory of elegant and beautiful glassware sold around the world. The Times Square New Year’s Eve Millennium Ball was Waterford glass. 

Reginald's Tower from Viking times

A model of a Viking ship

 

 Next on to the Blarney Castle and Gardens, near Cork.  No, we did not kiss the Blarney Stone (we talk enough, don’t need the “gift of eloquence”). The gardens surrounding the castle were beautiful and it was a sunny warmer day which made them even more enjoyable. The gardens included many floral plantings and also a poison garden, with signs to identify the plant and tell its effect. The stone Castle was first built in 1210 and rebuilt in 1446, today it is mostly ruin. 

 

This is looking up - from the ground - to the tower window that people would lie down and lean backwards into to kiss the Blarney Stone.

There were plenty of shopping opportunities. I was very tempted in this Woolen Shop, the largest gift store in Ireland. The wool garments and articles were beautifully made. 

Travel next was to Killarney in southwest Ireland. The Killarney National Park was across from our hotel with the highest mountain range in Ireland and many lakes. There has been an indigenous herd of red deer in the park since Neolithic times. 

View from our hotel room of the National Park

We enjoyed a jaunting ride through the park.

 

The Ring of Kerry is a 111-mile circular route that is believed to be the most beautiful part of Ireland with vistas created by windswept cliffs, rugged mountains, lakes and picturesque villages.  Because of the narrow roads all tour coaches must run in an anti-clockwise direction, even then there were some close calls! 

This was supposed to be the most beautiful view in Ireland, our lunch stop at the Scarify Inn. The day we were there was very foggy and drizzling.

Our tour group, in a light rain, at Ladies' View, a favorite place for Queen Victoria's Ladies in Waiting when she visited the Ring of Kerry

 A drive through the Golden Vale, an area of rolling pasture land and dairy cattle, brought us to the Rock of Cashel, also known as St. Patrick’s Rock. According to legend, the rock originated in a mountain 20 miles north of Cashel when St. Patrick banished Satan from a cave and the rock landed in Cashel. The remains of the cathedral, built between 1235 and 1270, form a cross. St Patrick preached at this spot. The buildings and graveyard are set on a walled plateau. Scully’s Cross, one of the largest and most famous high crosses was constructed in 1860 and struck by lightning in 1976 breaking away part of the structure. If you can put your arms around the large cross you are said to have the luck of St. Patrick. 

 

Cathedral at Rock of Cashel

Scully's Cross

The walled area of Rock of Cashel

Our last day of touring was a panoramic tour of Dublin, the capital and largest city of Ireland. Our tour included St. Patrick’s Cathedral, founded in 1191, city parks, the General Post Office. The evening entertainment was dinner and an evening show of Ireland’s music and dancing. 

This monument, across the street from the Post Office, still has bullet holes 

from the Irish Independence War.

Phoenix Park is one of the largest enclosed parks in Europe. It was originally formed as a royal hunting park in the 1660's and open to the public 1747.

The "White House" of Ireland. President Mike Higgins is a well liked public official whose duties are mostly ceremonial. He has served since 2011.

St. Patrick's Cathedral was founded in 1191 as a Catholic Cathedral. It is now the national cathedral of Ireland and has been Anglican since the reign of Queen Elizabeth I of England.

We thought the floor tile looked like quilt patterns.

I didn't realize the Guinness Brewery was such a major factor in Dublin. Besides the brewery, the company has benefited the country with many philanthropy projects. And, I didn't make the connection to the Guinness Book of World Records. 

Our last evening was filled with food, music and Celtic dance.

 

After a very busy and full tour, our 15^th day was the long plane trip home. It was good to travel, but also good to be home.