R Daniel and Terri Lynn shared their photos, short videos and stories of their recent trip to Ireland.
Their flight left Toronto about midnight, and got them in to Dublin about 11am the next morning. They stayed in a nice hotel in Dublin the first two nights.
They attended a dinner and show with Irish dancing where Terri Lynn was asked and participated on stage. Very well done.
During their time in Ireland they rented a car and made a large counter clockwise trek of the country. From Dublin they headed to Northern Ireland first.
They visited a lot of pubs, and stayed in a variety of Bed and Breakfast homes as well as hotels.
They got their car locked behind a gated parking area but a local women named Flora, after advising that the local public works were on strike, it was the start of the weekend etc. she was able to make some calls and acquired the keys to the lock and they were able to get their car back. Thanks to Flora who seemed to know everyone.
One of their B&B's was a 400 year old building. We got a tour.
They saw old medieval castles
In Belfast their first weekend in Ireland they stayed at the Europa Hotel. The most bombed hotel in Europe. During the IRA days, the British had office on the top floor so the hotel and area was a favourite target for the IRA. When Terri Lynn asked when the last bombing occurred, their host at the previous B&B told them 6 months ago (as a joke). Really 30 years ago.
Ireland is very green, with lots of cows and sheep.
They saw the country and a lot of small, narrow winding roads. Daniel often road the curb and drove slower then locals.
Some of the sites included the Giants Causeway and Dunluce Castle (inspiration for C.S. Lewis's Narnia scene).
They saw the oldest operating whiskey distillery still in operation.
They saw a Church of Ireland in New Town Gore.
Dan sat on a literary bench between a very large Oscar Wilde and another author.
They were several 'Tower House' castles such as Bally Port Castle.
Visited the beach at Kilkee and saw the cliffs of Kilkee.
They took a ferry toward Kilarney that saved them a couple hours driving. In Kilarney they took a horse and buggy ride in a huge park, 8,000 acres donated to the people that was part of a large estate.
Another Tower house 'Ross Castle' from the 1,400's
A two hour horse ride and a tour of a Japanee's garden.
There last night in Dublin they stayed in a 1172 Castle. This was the second castle they stayed in during their trip. Very fancy.
A fantastic trip.