Pictures of Dublin

Dublin

What can I say to even describe the beauty of this city?! Of course it is very large and the traffic is rather scary - we're still getting used to looking right rather than left to cross the street! The drivers are daredevils and the streets are very narrow. We've learned to follow the locals when it comes to crossings! We've walk the city yesterday and did some shopping. The tour was the Guinness Storehouse which has been in Dublin since 1759. Cobblestone streets, old trolley tracks to the river where horses were used to transport to the docks. We had a VIP tour courtesy of Bernie Fechtel - Thank You Bernie! Water, barley and hops - the only three ingredients used to make the stout. The tour ended at the very top of the storehouse which is the tallest building in the city. Incredible view! Ken and I also wandered the grounds of Trinity College yesterday morning - what history. Oh how I would love to be young again knowing what I now know. I would have loved to studied here.
We've had traditional food most every day as well. Fish and chips, bacon and cabbage (my favorite so far) and Shepard's pie. We've also gotten to hear traditional music the last two evenings which Ken and I enjoy so much. Last night we visited with a young man from Dublin who is coming to the US next week to work for a year. He was so much fun and gave us some good tips on what we should see today - our last day in Dublin.
Dinner and show tonight at the Brazen Head Pub - JFK's favorite pub and also the oldest pub in Ireland. It has been in existence since Viking times. Flight home tomorrow morning leaves Dublin at 9 am. We're ready to come home but sad to leave as well. Anyone up for spending a month or two during the summer in a couple of years? We've discussed it!!!

Wicklow Mountains & Glendalough Monastic Site

The view of the mountains from the valley was incredible. The weather has been perfect so we had a good, clear view. Because of the sunlight, the colors are so vibrant that the pictures simply do not do them justice. Glendalough was beautiful as well even though somewhat somber. Centuries old graves and tombs. Glendalough means two lakes. We walked to one of the lakes which took as through vegatatioin that we just don't see at home. For example, the fushia plant grows wild and some are quite large. I'm always happy if I can get my little hanging pot on the porch to last the summer!!

Waterford

Hooks Head and scenery

Hooks Head was beautiful! We saw seals off the point but wasn't able to get a clear picture.

Waterford, Hooks Head and Wexford

The last two days have been amazing. The weather is gorgeous! Sunny and about 70. Yesterday morning we left Kilkenny for shopping in Waterford, a visit to Hooks Head and arrived in Wexford in the evening. Traditional Irish music in the pub last night was amazing. Ken and I have walked around Wexford today and had a lunch of fish and chips on the waterfront.

A few more pictures

Or not! The connection seems to be really weak tonight. I'll try again tomorrow morning before we leave.