The Emerald Isle - First Few Days

 We made it to Ireland! We got very little sleep on our overnight flight from Dallas. I am thinking that those airline seats with extra leg room might be worth the extra cost.  We are traveling with E.F. Go Ahead tours. Our tour begins in Dublin, Republic of Ireland and eventually ending in Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom. 

 

Photo highlights from two day stay in Dublin:

Our home for the next two nights - Cassidy’s Hotel in the heart of Dublin.  Rooms are small compared to American hotels.

 

Dessert at Welcome Dinner 

Low profile river boats on the Liffey river

Rows and rows of  brick townhouses that all look alike except for the character of front entries and windows. This was one of the most ornate entrances.

 

Street Cafe for some fish and chips

At the Garden of Remembrance. Dedicated to all those who gave their lives in the cause of Irish freedom.

St Patrick's Cathedral built in 1220. St Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland and lived in Ireland during the 5th century. This Cathedral is believed to be built on the spot where St Patrick baptized many converts to Christianity during the 5th century. When we celebrate St Patrick's Day(March 17th), we are celebrating his life on the anniversary of his death.

The stone that covered the well that is believed to be the well whose waters were used by St Patrick to baptize converts to Christianity. 

Magnificent St Patrick's Cathedral 

The Door of Reconciliation once hung on the entrance to the Cathedral Chapter House

In 1492, two feuding families were battling and one family retreated to the Chapter House. To get those that were held up in the Chapter House to leave, the leader of the outside group demonstrated his sincerity to let them leave peacefully by cutting a hole in the door and offering his hand through the hole. His hand might have been cut off but instead the hand was accepted as proof of his sincerity and the peace offering was accepted.  This is the origin of the Irish saying, "Chance your arm.".

St Patrick's Cathedral 

St Patrick's Cathedral - fine example of Celtic Cross

Papal  Cross in Phoenix Park erected in 1979 for the visit of Pope John Paul ll to Dublin

Dinner and Irish singing, dancing and  story telling

Guinness Stew

Irish singers and dancers

They sang "Molly Malone" (Cockles and Mussels) and other Irish songs.

He jumped up and was dancing on our table.... those feet were flying

Photo highlights of Waterford area, staying at Dooley's Hotel for two nights:

Avonmore river at Glendalough

Glendalough (Glen of Two lakes) was an early Monastic Settlement founded in the sixth century by St Kevin

Round Tower was built about 1000 years ago by monks of St Kevin monastery

 

 Glendalough Cemetery

Window in ruins of Glendalough Cathedral

St Kevin's Church and Bell Tower

 

Common Gorse

St Kevin's Cross 

Round Tower, Avonmare River and blooming Gorse

These little plants growing out of the rock walls were fascinating

 

 

The best bowl of seafood chowder ever!

 

 

Kilkenny Castle was built 1200s at an important crossing of the river Nore

Kilkenny Castle

Kilkenny Castle garden

 

 

 

On the grounds of the Kilkenny Castle, this young boy gave me some pointers on hurling. This is the national sport of Ireland.

River Nore  

Most Waterford Crystal is still done by hand

Waterford manufacturing tour

Waterford tour - glass being marked for etching

Fine example of the custom glass work

Our guide Jack took us through the history of Waterford which was settled by Vikings.

 

Replica of a Viking ship. Hard to understand how the Vikings could cross the open ocean in vessel this size.

Fascinating Cashel of the Kings. Built on a hilltop in 1200s. 

Voices still echo in the halls

From Cashel of the Kings, looking out at Tipperary Plain

 

Also referred to as "Rock of Cashel"