"Go n'eiri an bother leat"
"May the road rise before you"
Why yes, I speak Gaelic, doesn't everyone?!
Today, in the beautiful Emerald Isle, the road did indeed rise before us as we traveled South out of Dublin into Wicklow County among the Wicklow Mountains. Peter was our driver and Breda (short for Bridget) was our guide. Another happy set of Irishmen, full of good humor. Breda showed us one of the many houses that James Joyce lived in as a child. She said he lived in a great many houses about town as his father thought it easier to move than pay rent! They do look at life in such a sweet, happy way!
Our first stop along the way was at Glendalouch, the site of an early medieval monastic settlement founded by St. Kevin in the 6th century. Kevin, a member of the ruling family in Leinster, left his home of education and wealth to found a monastery. He was a famous holy man, actually somewhat of a hermit, once living in a hollowed out tree! Even so, he attracted a great many followers. The monastery lasted into the 11th and 12th centuries. It was a lovely place over looking a beautiful valley of 2 lakes, which is what Glendalough means. Many people are buried there, sometimes as many as 7 or more to 1 grave. It is considered a very sacred place and people are dying to get in (I know, bad joke!) This is a picture of the bell tower, about 30 m tall that was used to call the monks to service and as a storage facility as well.
There are grave stones everywhere, many being ancient and some, relatively current. Here I am standing between 2 that are leaning, making an archway.
The view from the hilltop down into the valley of the lakes is just gorgeous.
Blooming Lilac grows freely everywhere, making St. Kevin's very peaceful.
After a nice visit at the monastery, we got on the bus to travel to an Inn for a huge lunch. They do not give us time to even get hungry. This inn had the very best pear tart. I could have done with just that and a good cup of coffee (Irish, that is!)
Traveling in Ireland is sometimes a little hair raising! Here we are, in this huge tour bus, going around hair pin turns on VERY narrow streets. I try to sit where I can only see out the side. It also worries me when the guide thanks the driver for not having his pint today! Today we passed through gates at our next stop, Powerscourt Estates and Gardens that must have only been 6-8 inches from each side of the bus.
The house, originally a 13th century castle, was extensively altered during the 18th century by a German architect starting in 1731 and finishined in 1741. A fire in 1974 completely gutted the beautiful house until it was partially restored in 1996.Much of the original property has been sold off for golf courses and a Ritz-Carlton but the 42 acres of beautiful terraced gardens remain. It took over 100 men 12 years to dig out the terraced land. The gardens were laid out in the 1840's and that the original gardener liked his sherry, and would determine the end of the working day when his bottle became empty.
The estate of Powerscourt. Now only 1 wing is occupied by the Slazenger family, former owners of a famous sports company. The rest of the estate is comprised of gift shops and a bit of the estate history.
But the 42 acres of gardens are another story! They are beautifully maintained (don't think this gardener drinks his Sherry, but I could be wrong!) and display many imported fountains and statues. I was so tempted to break off a cutting of this and that, but signs warned me not to, so I obeyed! Many plants and trees here that I have not seen before.
You can see how the land is terraced, but I am sure that the picture, as always does not do it justice!
This pool is at the bottom of the steps. The many garden areas surround the pool.
This is a view of the Japanese gardens. So pretty. Our guide, Breda told us of a Fairy tree today. Bad luck to cut down such a tree. If you do, the Fairies might come and take your children away! So, you can see these trees standing in the middle of plowed fields. She told us that once they were building a new road near the airport and there was a Fairy Tree. No one would cut it down, so they slightly diverted the road to miss the tree! Gotta love those Irish!
Tonight we have dinner at the Guiness Storehouse where Breda tells us we will be partaking of a bit of Mother's Milk. I might try a sip with Blackberry currant, but, I am not much of a beer drinker as many of you know...now a bit of Baily's or a cup of Irish coffee on the other hand is an entirely different story!
Tomorrow we are on our own for most of the day. We plan to hop on and off the bus to see: Trinity College and the Book of Kells, Dublin Castle, Christ Church, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Kilmainham Goal (an old jail), and the Old Jameson Distillery. Full day ahead!
A bit of advice for my sister Dorothy....if she is still reading this delightful blog! LOL! If you click on a picture I think it enlarges it! Just so you can see better!
I will sign off from the beautiful Emerald Isle now, with just one more bit of trivia. Did you know that Johnny Cash often visited the Emerald Isle and even wrote a song about it, "40 Shades of Green" Breda sang it to us today! I was not familiar with the song, but must now try to download it! Breda said that it was ok that she could not sing, because Johnny Cash couldn't either! Love this sense of humor!
Think of me tonight in the Guiness Storehouse...hope these battery people don't drink it dry. Otherwise, they may cause the price of Guiness to rise, creating a national emergency!
from the Emerald Isle....d
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