Category: Uncategorized
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Dublin has many secrets…
Monday August 12 2024 Exploring Dublin was an ongoing experience of visiting the usual historic sites, museums, libraries and exhibitions. Sussing out it’s character, it’s loves, it’s tragedies, it’s secrets, now that’s a different kettle of fish. Someone once said, the Irish always discuss things; sometimes very loudly, sometimes violently. I didn’t witness any violence,…
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Kildare and Roses of Tralee
Sunday August 11 2024 Kildare is actually all about thorough bred horses. The Irish National Stud & Gardens is located slightly outside the town limits to the south. A town of close to 11,000 inhabitants, besides horses, I would guess civic interests focus on football, hurling and possibly St Bridgid. There is the Cathedral of…
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There were Giants…
Saturday August 10 2024 The Giant’s Causeway was the main reason for my trip to Northern Ireland. It’s approximately an hour and a half drive from where I was staying to its location on the northern coastline of the island. I booked my entry ticket online which included an arrival time, parking and a group…
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Irish castles, a hidden beach, a tragedy
Friday August 09 2024 What would a road trip be without a sudden unscripted detour for no apparent reason? I was travelling north from Galway towards Strabane and was in total awe of the countryside. There was nowhere to stop and get a good shot of the scenery on the two lane highway I was…
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Galway: music, poetry, rain…
Thursday August 08 2024 Galway City is a modern, bustling metropolis with a population of close to 80,000 inhabitants plus tourists. It has a lively music and arts scene and has put time, effort and money into preserving its history and telling its own story. Perhaps Galway’s most famous writer : Pádraic Ó Conaire (28 February…
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Of tiny roads and sheep
Tuesday August 06 2024 It was road trip day, again. The destination being Galway City with a major detour into the Dingle Peninsula and the town of the same name. I knew it would be a drive filled with dramatic views and roadside vistas. What I was unprepared for was an accidental left hand turn…
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Ouvane Falls and Ilnacullin/Garinish Island
Sunday August 04 & Monday August 05 2024 Having followed a somewhat circuitous route after the turn mishap near Cork, I arrived at the Ouvane Falls Hotel not far from Bantry. It was yet daylight and I was hoping the kitchen would still be open. I had phoned to let them know I would be…
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Blarney Stone, Castle and gardens
Sunday August 04 2024 The first weekend in August is a bank holiday meaning most everyone get’s a three day weekend. So. everyone and their next door neighbour were out and about. I was up early with an evening destination of the Ouvane Falls Hotel near Bantry. So, I decided to stop at Blarney castle…
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Waterford: a city of history and crystal
An unfinished Waterford Crystal reproduction of the Brian Boru harp Saturday, August 03, 2024 There’s lots to see and do on a sunny summer Saturday in Waterford. In fact, the city was in the midst of holding an outdoor interactive science fair in the central part of town. The crowds were beginning to gather as…
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My Ireland adventure continues…
New Ross: Dunbrody Famine ship The time has come to catch-up on what has been happening on this great Irish adventure. One thing is for certain: access to the internet can be rather feeble in places especially when advertised as free! I’m currently in Northern Ireland in a town called Strabane situated south of Derry…
Five Feet, Nine Inches Above Ground 