Monthly Archives: September 2014

Ireland – Last Day 8 – Newgrange and Monasterboice

Early start on the final day to ‘beat the rush’ at the World Heritage site at Newgrange. Actually there turned out to be two sites, the first at Knowth being the better (in my view!)

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and then on the more famous Newgrange. Note the reconstructed huge front wall. Most of the site people had a view that the professor in charge of the rebuild had got it badly wrong. I agree.

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And then on to Slane for lunch. Unfortunately the Castle was closed. Still, great fun at the cafe where the waitress went to the pub accross the road to get me a pint of Guinness to go with my lunch.

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A walk by the Boyne to see Slane Castle from afar

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Then to Monasterboice to see the biggest Celtic crosses in Ireland.

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And then dropped in at Drogheda for a quick look

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….and then back to the airport….

Ireland Day 6 – Adare, Bunratty and to Limerick

Started with a drive up from Killarney and a short stop in Adare.

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Then a real suprise at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park – which turned out to be an active Open Air Museum.

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Lunch at the pub in the village

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Finally a drop into Limerick and a look at the St Johns Castle

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and and St Mary Cathedral

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and finally, a beer at The Mill, Annacotty

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Ireland Day 5 – Blarney Castle & Bantry House and Killarney Lakes

So, to the famous Blarney Castle, much better than expected, unspoiled as a tourist jaunt.

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In the grounds were some very odd stones and follys

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After Castle Blarney, a beautiful cross country drive through the mountains and Pass of Keighmoneigh through to Bantry.

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Lunch at ‘Tractors’ Cafe (no pictures !) before a visit to Bantry House, overlooking Bantry Bay

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Then a drive round part of the Ring Of Kerry, most beautiful, with a stop in Kenmare – possibly the most prosperous small town we have visited

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In particular we stopped at Kenmare for a walk round and a beer.

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To complete a splendid day we had our evening meal at Foleys restaurant. Oysters and Avocado baked with Smoked Salmon and Cheese Sauce

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followed by Lobster and Monkfish

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then Chocolate Mouse and Cheesecake

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Ireland Day 4 – Waterford, Cashel & Cork

A visit to Waterford, and the world famous Crystal Factory

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Lunch at a Feehans Pub in Cashel

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Then on to the Rock Of Cashel – site of a siege and bloody massacre by Cromwell forces.

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As short trip to buy a scarf for a special person 🙂

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Finally to Cobh, site of a relatively modern Cathedral and port with links to the White Star Line

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Evening meal in Middleton at a very quirky Bistro

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Ireland Day 2 – Dubin

So, from the hotel at Dun Loaghaire we wisely took the train into Dublin.

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Started with an early bird ticket to the Guinness Brewery

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with of course a sample in the panoramic bar

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Then on to Kilmainham Gaol, only after lunch at The Patriot Inn

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and then back to the Jamiesons distillery:

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a visit to the decorative arts museum

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…yes, you would never guess.. and then a walk round Dublin…for the best Guinnes in Dublin

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Evening meal in the Hard Rock Cafe

Autumn holiday to Ireland. Flight from Southampton to Dublin, and a hire car to get us around.

Walk around to begin with – the river, Temple Bar pubs, Trinity College,

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Then a park

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To the Cathedral

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Museum Of Archaeology – not as dull as you might expect – one of the best collection of prehistoric gold you will ever see

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Evening meal at the Eire Pizza Express equivalent on Dun Loughaire promenade.