Ireland

[EddieWalker]

I enjoy Guinness when it's cold out, but it's pricey. We have a Texas beer here called Shiner Bock that is cheaper and tastes better.

If I ever go to Ireland, I would enjoy seeing the Guinness Brewery.

What's funny, is that for most of my life, I didn't realize that the Guinness Book or World Records was the same Guinness as the Beer Company. Who would of thought that a beer company would starts something so random and unrelated to making beer?

 

[dodge man]

A few more from today. Kilkenny castle, which is really often just a big house. Inside it had a great hall with a skylight. The entire ceiling had hand artwork as did the beams and columns. So many old buildings compared to the U.S.

 

[dodge man]

A couple from the Waterford Crystal factory. We did a tour and got to see it being blown and cut. They also etch it. A lot of hand work and the etchers have to do a 5 year apprenticeship to get the job. A pair of tumblers were $140 and there are pieces over $40,000. They also do one off’s and things like sports trophies.

The pictures are a crystal grandfather clock and a tribute to 911 responders.

 

[Pixguy]

A couple from the Waterford Crystal factory. We did a tour and got to see it being blown and cut. They also etch it. A lot of hand work and the etchers have to do a 5 year apprenticeship to get the job. A pair of tumblers were $140 and there are pieces over $40,000. They also do one off’s and things like sports trophies.

The pictures are a crystal grandfather clock and a tribute to 911 responders.
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Beautiful GF clock and 9/11 memorial.

 

[dodge man]

We visited the Blarney castle today and I kissed the Blarney Stone. A very busy day. This is a three day weekend for the Irish, they call it a bank holiday and a cruise ship was in port which had 4000 passengers on it. It’s about a 10 story castle and it took a little over an hour to go up and get down. Very narrow winding steps on the way up and down. You have to lay down and almost hang down to kiss the stone, somebody helps you.

 

[KennyG]

And who else's lips have been there?

 

[Pixguy]

And who else's lips have been there?

You don't want to hear what the locals reportedly do there when their bladders need emptying. . Still a must to do.

 

[dodge man]

We heard the story about the locals, it might be true but it sure looked like they could lock the place up pretty good. There is a guy tgere that helps you but they are also taking your picture to sell you later. We did watch him clean the stone off with some spray and a rag.

 

[EddieWalker]

I had to do a search on why people kiss the Blarney Stone.

"According to Irish folklore, people kiss the Blarney Stone to receive the gift of eloquence and persuasiveness. The stone is said to have been built into the battlements of Blarney Castle by Dermot McCarthy, king of Munster, in 1446. The legend states that the stone was originally kissed by chieftain Cormac Laidir MacCarthy, who was advised by the goddess Clíodhna to kiss the first stone he saw on his way to court to gain the gift of eloquence and win his legal battle."

 

[dodge man]

We have two more days after today in Ireland. So far it’s been a great trip. It’s the first time we have really gone overseas. I’d say it’s a good place to start. We did a tour through GLOBUS that is 13 days long. It’s a good company but I’m sure there are other good ones. You get to meet a lot of people in your group and get to know them. The bus driver is good, lots of narrow roads and a big bus. The bus is 3 weeks old.

Today we took a boat ride to Garnish Island and walked around it. Lots of flowers in bloom and nice views. Then we drove to Killarney and did a horse carriage ride. The horses name is Rosie.

 

[Pixguy]

We drove across the country our first day there and as dodge man said, the roads are narrow. We're cruising in our little Nissan on the wrong side of the road and you can see the hedge had a band of hedge missing about 3' up. It was only an hour in our drive going 80kilometers (55mph I think) and coming to buses and finding out the missing hedge is where your side view mirrors clip the road lined hedges along side of the roads. What could go wrong speeding on these side roads after everyone leaves the pub after a couple of pints !?! Plus us Yankees driving in roundabouts going the opposite way on the road? . Crazy

 

[dodge man]

We went to the Dingle Peninsula today. Yes the names can be hilarious. One picture that shows how green it can be. Also a couple of stone wall pictures. They have miles and miles of them. Some neatly stacked and some not. Some on hillsides so steep it would be tough to walk on.

 

[dodge man]

I shed a tear or two this morning. A big racket outside the hotel. We were up but really loud. I looked out and saw this. We fly out tomorrow and I won’t be here to help drink that.

 

[RjCorazza]

Very nice pictures, and glad you are having a wonderful time.
We visited wife's relatives years ago in Enniskillen, and I was enamored with the lush green scenery and history. They are regular folks that live on a former dairy farm that overlooks a large "lake" I believe named Loch Erne or something similar.

 

[dodge man]

The last day in Ireland, we have a banquet tonight a fly home tomorrow. The pictures are like so many others so I’ll share a picture of the ruffians I’ve been with the last 13 days. Most Americans and a few Canadians.

A few things about Ireland. Friendly and very nice. We felt safe the entire time, as safe or safer than in the US. It’s a small country, about half the size of Illinois so we never spent much over 2 hours on the bus at one time. We did a bus tour and the tour director was really good. She tells stories and the history while riding and is full of fun facts.

They drive on the wrong side of the road but I’ve been told by others you get used to it. It’s a great first over seas trip and we learned about traveling from the other people such as other places to go. We got cash only to tip our director and bus driver, credit cards we used everywhere else.

A picture of the group and one of myself and my wife at Garnish Island.

 

[Pixguy]

The last day in Ireland, we have a banquet tonight a fly home tomorrow. The pictures are like so many others so I’ll share a picture of the ruffians I’ve been with the last 13 days. Most Americans and a few Canadians.

A few things about Ireland. Friendly and very nice. We felt safe the entire time, as safe or safer than in the US. It’s a small country, about half the size of Illinois so we never spent much over 2 hours on the bus at one time. We did a bus tour and the tour director was really good. She tells stories and the history while riding and is full of fun facts.

They drive on the wrong side of the road but I’ve been told by others you get used to it. It’s a great first over seas trip and we learned about traveling from the other people such as other places to go. We got cash only to tip our director and bus driver, credit cards we used everywhere else.

A picture of the group and one of myself and my wife at Garnish Island.
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Tour company name? How many days did you do?

 

[dodge man]

We did 13 days with GLOBUS.

 

[dodge man]

It’s all over, we had the banquet tonight. I forget how old it is, maybe 400 years old. There was a Madrigal where the performers also serve the meal.

 

[MH8675309]

I'm not sure Guinness travels well. I don't care for it here in the US but I really liked it in Ireland. Maybe it's just the atmosphere. I've had the same experience with Italian wine. Even the cheapest wine is great when you are in Italy.

No - Guinness IS better in Ireland and it comes in pints over there

 

[ruffdog]

Nice pictures! Thnx It looks like they have no shortage of stones there.