We both slept in this morning, all the way until 7:30 am, when there was a sound at the door. I jumped up and headed to the door, soon realizing that 1) I was in my birthday suit and 2) Mary was about to swing the door open.
Not wanting to terrify the help, I jumped into bed head first and threw the covers over my gloriously naked body. Dang, that was a close one.
We had a delightful breakfast and proceeded to pack up our belongings.
We called for our car, but the chap did not believe we had a Rolls Royce, so we settled for the Pew-Got.
We made it in about one hour and forty minutes.
We headed out of the Mount Juliet Estate at 11:00 am, and using the iPhone GPS, we were fine, except the roundabouts were complex.
Leaving the estate was sad; we wanted more.
The first ten miles were on narrow country roads (more narrow than the one below). I did not take pictures as both hands were on the grab handles, my eyes were closed, and I was saying my prayers.
Did we say narrow?
As we departed, Becky texted us. She and Dan took the remaining wedding flowers, which were beautiful, and placed them in the local cemetery. They were very thoughtful.
Please pay it forward.
Before entering the motorway (their equivalent of our freeways), we saw a sign and had to stop!
Clever, these Irishmen.
It is definitely The Emerald Isle.
Greenery and flowers everywhere.
Mary’s driving was amazing. She swerved in and out of the silly Irishmen going the speed limit. She went through two red lights, and unfortunately, they were on top of police cars.
This is the before picture.
We got out of the car as soon as the steam stopped exiting what was the front of the vehicle. Exiting was easy since the tires were all flat and the car was lower to the ground. I have never seen anyone drive on two rims after the rubber tires fell off. We looked like the Beverly Hillbillys coming into Beverly Hills.
After (the tow truck just departed)
SERIOUS NOTE: Mary was a superb driver, and I had no worries, but I will have to see the hand doctor to get my fingers uncrossed.
We dropped off what was left of our car at the airport and picked up a cab. We had him go to the midtown Hilton to pick up Mary’s coat, which I had left last week.
Our cabby loved Elvis!
We drove for an hour and a half and saw a lot of the city. Our cabby/tour guide was excellent.
The waterway into Dublin.
We were hungry, so we went to the Hilton restaurant. It was nothing to yell about, but it served its purpose.
Sometimes, my ordering skills need work.
Mary did the soup and I went for a Ceasar salad. We had reservations in about two hours to dine again and have our one last Irish coffee.
Dessert before we hit the sack!
Returning to our room, we examined our suitcases. The dirty clothes are certainly stacking up.
We looked for a laundry, but no luck.
We went downstairs to have a pizza before going to bed. Mary found the ladies lounge and took a picture of the potty. Now we have to get one at home.
Mary wants one of these at home.
We finally returned to our room at 8:00 p.m. and set up all the “wireless” wiring, which meant charging everything for tomorrow’s trip. He said there were a total of eight HDMI circuits in use.
We must be up and moving at 4:30 am to catch the bus at 6:00 am to get to the airport. The first flight is 90 minutes from Dublin to Heathrow, and then the twelve-hour leg from Heathrow to LAX.
Later in the day, we’re going to 1757 for a farewell BBQ, so we lounged around this morning and did a bit of packing.
We had breakfast in the main dining room (Lady Helen), and it was pretty good.
Mary had the famous Irish Boxty Potatoes and said they were excellent. We both had tea, you know, when in Paris….
Did You Know? Boxty is a traditional Irish potato pancake. The dish is mostly associated with the north midlands, north Connacht, and southern Ulster, in particular the counties of Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo, Fermanagh, Longford, and Cavan. There are many recipes, but all contain finely grated, raw potatoes and are served fried.
An old Irish rhyme is: “Boxty on the griddle; boxty on the pan. If you can’t make boxty, you’ll never get a man!”
I chose the traditional kippers with eggs.
Smoked kipper brunch with scrambled egg and tomatoes
Did You Know? A kipper is a whole herring, a small, oily fish that has been split in a butterfly fashion from tail to head along the dorsal ridge, gutted, salted, or pickled, and cold-smoked over smoldering wood chips.
We then went for a wee walk, looking for the wee people. After two cups of coffee and two glasses of orange juice, I had to wee-wee. We followed the wee signs. They write pretty big for the creators, who are so wee.
The Wee Folk of Ireland came about when the Milesians attacked and won a war against the Tuatha de Danann, eventually driving them underground. The Tuatha de Danann used their innate magic to become the Sidhe (pronounced Shee) – today is known as the “fairies,” “little people,” or the “wee folk.”
This way!
The thistles were in full blossom. In Celtic countries, the associations are positive, and the flower symbolizes resilience, strength, determination, protection, and pride. The flower’s purple and pink colors represent royalty. In Victorian England, the thistle signified pain, aggression, and intrusion.
The wildflowers were most beautiful.
The Queen Anne’s Lace grew wild all over the country, especially by the side of the roads.
Queen Anne’s Lace was all about.
The lacey white umbel of a Queen Anne’s lace flower usually has a dark purple spot in the center, purportedly representing the drop of blood that fell when the queen, an accomplished lace-maker, pricked her finger!
We found the village.
With humans coming to Ireland, these magical beings retreated underground to another realm, residing in mounds and fairy forts around the island. They wished to keep to themselves and watch over the land and animals.
But they are also well known for playing tricks on humans who cross their path for fun, sport, or even to show their superiority.
Who lives there?
The fairies were sleeping, and we let them rest. There is no use asking for trouble.
Friendly little folks
The grounds are divided into areas separated by walls, and then there is a wall; there has to be a gate.
The gate guards kept the place lit at night.
We saw this gate from the wedding tent yesterday. Becky walked through it to get to the tent.
Mary’s version of mooning.
We had yet to learn how Becky got through the gate carrying flowers and wearing a long dress, but she did it.
The Moon Wall, we meet again.
It was a good adventure so now we will go back to the hotel and rest for the BBQ this afternoon.
After our walk we went to the room and rested. The stairway had a magnificent sitting area half way up. The flowers are real!
Back to the hotel to rest before the BBQ.
We got dressed a little early and headed downstairs to Club 1757 where we had a greyhound using grapefruit soda instead of regular grapefruit. It worked out just fine.
The recently refurbished, 1757 bar is located in the original cellar of Manor House. We enjoyed the sense of history as we relaxed amongst the vaulted ceilings, thick stone walls and atmospheric black and white photographs. The elegant 1757 bar, located down one level, enjoys a private terrace overlooking the River Nore and Ballylinch Stud.
The patio was covered in white roses and the weather held. The people gathered both inside and outside as the breeze began to get stronger around 5:00 pm. Many people opted to dine inside due to the cold.
The wedding flowers decorated the patio.
After dinner we visited outside until the wind came up. Mary got to see the family and old friends she had known since they went to school with Becky.
It was beginning to get cold.
Since we have to pack tonight, we selected weak greyhounds and an occasional wine. There was a nice fireplace to warm us up.
Mary visits with Geoff.
We found the nearest fireplace to othe bar and stayed close warming ourselves up.
Fireplaces existed in almost every room in the manor.
The 1757 Lounge was a long facility complete with a small theater, a fishing room, and several nicely padded dining areas. Either end of the hallway opens onto a great patio with a river view.
The BBQ was at the end of this passage.
The flags were flapping in the stiff breeze.
We loved seeing the American flag flying.
The grandkids were so cute, we enjoyed visiting with them.
Katy and the grandsons.
The BBQ and had many delicious choices but Mary and I, being traditionalists, went for the hamburder along with a huge baked potato. The head chef was serving and we commented on how delicious the food was during is last several days. He also noticed by themed shirt.
Enjoying the BBQ.
I allowed myself to rest me eyes and Mary accused me of napping.
Notice I was dressed for the occasion?
We could see rain clouds coming our direction and within five minutes it was pouring. There is no wonder why they call it the Emerald Isle as it rains quite often and this is the dry season.
The weather was great until 6:00 pm when it rained.
The boys performed on the grass just for us.
We see show business in their future.
We headed upstairs around 6:30 pm and began packing as we are heading to Dublin at 11:00 am tomorrow. We heard noise from the window and the kids were running around having a ball. The pathway had dried and the Sun was trying to peak out.
[wpcode id=”76760″] It was a beautiful Irish morning with the sun shining and not a rain cloud in the sky. We had breakfast in our room and then got ready about an hour ahead of schedule. We wanted just to sit and watch the cows graze in the fields.
We are ready!
We decided to add some color to our surroundings.
Color us in love!
Mary watches the doggy reels on Facebook, and I can tell when she comes across a good reel—the whole room lights up!
Someone has the giggles.
See what I mean! Her laughter was contagious, so the whole room was giggling with her.
Her Facebook Dashounds had Mary in stitches.
The view is very soothing to the soul. It makes you want to wander the field with the cows.
Did you hear about the cow that tried to jump a barbwire fence? It was an udder disaster.
Enjoying a glass of wine and watching the pasture.
At 2:00 pm, Mary went upstairs to assist Becky in getting ready. They visited for a while, and then Mary returned to the lounge, where we met up with Geoff.
We polished off one more drink before heading to the bus that will take us to the wedding site.
Mom helped Becky get ready at 2:00 pm
We met Dan’s folks, who turned out to be delightful and funny! Patty and I took a load of pictures on our way to the bus.
Patty, the groom’s mother, was a kick in the pants!
At 2:20 pm, we were all bussed out to the lawn where the Moon Gate is located. It was a short ride and that made sure everyone was in place and ready for the ceremony to begin!
Last minute coordination was underway! Dan’s son did the officiating which was a nice touch!
Dan, his two sons Liam and Connor, and the wedding coordinator are in serious discussions.
Becky made her way to her intended via the Moon Gate. The gate was designed to frame the setting sun, giving it a magical appearance, ever changing as the seasons progress.
It was a stunning entrance.
As the bagpipes played in the background, Becky came to the front of the tent where Dan and his son were waiting.
We were bussed to the wedding site.
The wedding party requested no pictures during the ceremony (a good idea) so we honored their request and put the iPhones away!
When they exchanged their vows, there was not a dry eye in the house!
After the ceremony and short bus ride to the Manor House, we had champagne in the front lawn and awaited the arrival of the bride and groom (who were taking some photo ops).
Geoff and David, Mary’s two sons.
The happy couple arrives to a thunderous applause.
The bride and groom arrive.
The picture of happiness.
Looking good.
The wedding was a black-tie event, and everyone was dressed to the nines.
May you both live as long as you want, and never want as long as you live.
A more handsome group you will not find.
Dan’s children were out in full force.
Dan’s children were there. Liam, Emma, and Connor.
The moms were partying heartily!
The moms were also celebrating.
As everyone enjoyed their dinner, the newlyweds were beaming at the front of the hall, basking in the joy of the moment.
Dinner room.was served in the Lady Helen dining.
The moms discovered Becky right before the dancing commenced.
Ladies!
This afternoon, Dan’s family was absolutely ecstatic!
Dan’s parents.
After our delightful dinner, we made our way into the adjacent room where lively dance music filled the air. We couldn’t resist the temptation and decided to join in for a couple of dances. However, we soon realized that the music was so loud that it almost overwhelmed our hearing aids, making it quite a challenge to fully enjoy the experience.
Dancing got underway right after dinner.
We went to the 1757 Lounge and joined a group of older individuals who wanted the noise level reduced. After having a couple of drinks, we went upstairs around midnight.
We escaped into the relative quiet of the 1757 patio.
After last night’s celebration, we started moving at 10:00 am. At 11:00 am, the phone rang, and it was Amy and Lar who were downstairs and wanted to have some tea and say goodbye.
We threw on our cleanest, dirty clothes and headed to the Manor House front lawn, where we had tea, laughed, and giggled some more. We sat there for an hour, and at the end, the two guys from last night came looking for a jacket they had left last night. We wondered how we got that jacket this morning.
Tea is served!
Returning to our room, we cleaned up because a get-together of the participants was planned at the local pub. The departure is scheduled at 4:45 p.m., so I had to get something to eat or celebrate on an empty stomach; it’s not a great idea.
Oh My! After the eighty-four-year-old lady finished her annual physical examination, Doc Murphy said to her, “You are in fine shape for your age, Mrs. Sullivan, but tell me, do you still have intercourse?” “Just a minute, I’ll have to ask my husband.” Mrs. Sullivan stepped out into the crowded waiting room and yelled out loud, “Sean dear, do we still have intercourse?” Suddenly, there was a hush in the waiting room. It was literally so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Sean answered impatiently, “If I have told you once, Kathleen, I have told you a hundred times. What we have is Blue Cross!”
We wandered down to the dining area and picked a seat near the window. Mary ordered soup, and I ordered a pastrami sandwich. Of course, we had a glass of wine to wash it down.
A fantastic view of the grounds.
We studied the map so in case we missed the bus, we could get to O’Grady’s pub.
I just read an article about the dangers of drinking, and it really scared me. I decided right then and there, that’s it, no more reading!
We ate a bite, and we did not want to drink on an empty tummy.
While we ate, the sky went from bright to rainy grey and back to glowing.
The view from the Manor House dining area.
Mary asked, “Paul, why don’t you give up the drinking?” I replied, “It’s much too late for me.” The virtuous Mary assured me, “It’s never too late.” I smiled and said, “Well, there’s no rush then.”
We hopped on the bus and took a short ride to the pub. It’s not just a pub; it is a family affair.
Did you happen to know? Dating back to 1789, the Malzard’s -O’Gradys Pub has been in the family of its current owner- Fred Malzard- for over five generations and 200 plus years. Initially, the business was started by James (“The Boss”) O’Grady on the main street of Stonyford Village, County Kilkenny, to service a population that had risen locally due to the opening of a large woolen mill. In 1894, Fred’s great-grandmother married a Malzard from the Channel Islands.
When Fred’s grandfather- Alfie Malzard- returned to Stonyford to manage the pub, the Malzard name was added to the pub front. Intriguing history aside, this pub is all about family and community. To this day, Fred’s parents live behind the pub, while Fred’s family (including his wife and three daughters) live on the same street, just a few doors away.
Passionately proud of his local village, Fred grew up on this street, went to school locally, played hurling (an ancient Gaelic game) in the local fields, and counted his neighbors as his friends. At the heart of this village is the Malzard-O’Gradys Pub, and at the heart of this pub is Fred Malzard, a man who knows how to bring together a local community in a lively celebration of storytellers, musicians, hurling enthusiasts (young and old), and experienced pint pullers.
In an atmosphere of pure fun—and in the presence of local people who happen to pop in for a chat and a drink—visitors are treated to an experience that compels them to become true Stonyford locals as they learn how to puck a hurl, pull a pint, sing-along, and dance with sheer delight and abandonment!
As we walked in, the pub was ready for us. Twenty-five pints of Guinness and a table full of appetizers waited for us.
The bus took us the two miles to Stoneybrook and the O’Grady Pub!
Mary met up with her two sons and two grandsons. The little fellas (grandsons) are as cute as can be. Her sons David and Geoff watched all the goings on. It was great fun.
Mary visits the grandkids.
The drink of the day was posted. Mary tried one, and I took a sip or two.
It was a lot of fun having Mary’s kids together at once. Now we can really call her Shorty!
David, Becky, Mary, and Geoff together again.
Dan and Becky were getting warmed up for the forthcoming sing-a-long.
The party is underway!
When in a new pub, you must try something new. Green Spot whiskey.
Did You Know? Green Spot is a single-pot still Irish whiskey produced specifically for Mitchell & Son of Dublin by Irish Distillers at the Midleton Distillery in Cork, Ireland. Green Spot is among the few remaining bonded Irish whiskeys, along with Mitchell’s three older offerings, Yellow Spot, Red Spot, and Blue Spot. It is one of only four whiskeys specifically produced for and sold by an independent wine merchant in Ireland.
Whiskey is required.
Two sips, and she was hammered!
Silly Mommy!
Adam is doing a great job of filling the beer glasses.
They are starting young.
I gave Dan some sage advice, seeing how I outnumber him by thirty years! The advice came from a book I had just finished.
STANDBY – The music now begins, and we all sing. Warning: ear protection might be necessary.
It is nice to be together with family.
Lots of visiting going on.
Mom and Daughter time is always special.
Becky and Mom
We left the pub around 9:00 p.m. and headed to 1757 for cocktails. About half the group joined us, and we finally hit the sack around midnight.
Posted inAdventures|Comments Off on Day 8 – Let The Celebrations Begin
Bright and early, we awoke to a beautiful Irish morning. It was so pretty the birds flew backward to see where they had been! Today, we moved from the Hunter’s Lodge to the Manor House. We packed up and called the bellman who lugged all the suitcases and clothes down the street to the Manor House.
Somerset Butler, 1st Earl of Carrick, constructed the Mount Juliet Estate between 1768 and 71 and named it after his wife, Juliet. The Georgian house sits on a hill overlooking the River Nore, surrounded by over 1,500 acres (6.1 km2) of land.
The five-minute walk turned out to be ten; the Irish have longer legs than us Americans.
The directions were well-marked.
Our suite was ready, and we learned the house had no lift (i.e., elevator), so we planned well ahead to avoid making multiple trips up and down. The weather changes every few minutes from slight rain to bright sunshine.
The manor house was magnificent.
The view from our room was indeed a “river view.” Although hard to see, horses and cows were in the pastures.
Too bad I didn’t bring the fishing pole!
Being reasonably intelligent, we called a taxi instead of driving, and after walking in Kilkenny, we decided it was a wise choice. Kilkenny is a small town of about 27,000 people, and the streets were designed for horse traffic only. They are one-way and difficult to navigate.
We had to go to Kilkenny because a) I forgot my tuxedo shirt and b) we left Mary’s jackets at the Hilton in Dublin. We went to David Hughes Formal Wear on Johns Street, thanks to the Internet.
I was measured for a shirt by the owner, who was very kind. Unfortunately, he didn’t have a shirt in my neck size of 19″. However, he did sell me one of his rental shirts, which happened to be the right size. So, we’ve made some progress.
Our cabby dropped us off right in front of the establishment.
The proprietor gave us directions to Dunn’s, which had ladies’ wear. We walked over the bridge and around the corner and made our purchase. Mary now has a new waterproof coat, which was perfect as it was raining when we departed the store.
Kilkenny Castle overlooks the town of Kilkenny and the River Nore.
The Kilkenny Castle is on the water’s edge.
When you gaze upstream, you’ll see charming residences nestled along the riverbank. On the opposite side, there’s a bustling shopping plaza.
We walked back to Johns Street and then decided to visit the castle.
Our visit was short, as the castle closes at 5:00 p.m., so we had about an hour—plus, we were getting hungry!
FYI: Ireland’s highest officially recognized air temperature, 33.3 °C (91.9 °F), was measured at Kilkenny Castle on 26 June 1887
It was an imposing edifice.
Kilkenny Castle is a castle in Kilkenny, Ireland, built in 1260 to control a fording point of the River Nore and the junction of several waterways.
It was a symbol of the Norman occupation. In its original 13th-century condition, it would have formed an essential element of the town’s defenses with four large circular corner towers and a massive ditch, part of which can still be seen today on the Parade.
In 1967, Arthur Butler, 6th Marquess of Ormonde, sold the castle for £50 to the Castle Restoration Committee for the people of Kilkenny. The Office of Public Works now manages the castle and grounds, and the gardens and parkland are open to the public. Parade Tower is a conference venue.
We did the self-guided tour, which was quite interesting.
We first had to climb the Grand Staircase. Most of the wood imported came from the Jamaican Plantations, which were cleared to plant sugar cane and cotton.
We were absolutely exhausted when we finally made it to the summit!
The castle was surrounded by impeccably maintained grounds.
Thanks to the constant rain, everything was green.
Upon seeing the formal dining room, we attempted to make dinner reservations, but our request needed to be approved. We have to settle for Italian across the street from the castle.
The furniture dates back to the early 1800s.
Up two flights of stairs was “The Blue Hall.” The name was entirely appropriate. This hallway provided access to the many bedrooms and a grand sitting area.
We headed downstairs to see a recent addition to the castle.
Of course, a drawing room was necessary as they enjoyed entertaining and afternoon tea.
The Drawing Room is typically the room in a house where guests and visitors are entertained. Drawing rooms were previously known as ‘withdrawing rooms’ or ‘withdrawing chambers,’ which originated in the sixteenth century.
The Picture Gallery was added to the castle during the American Civil War. The occupants wanted to show off their art collection.
The roof allowed the room to have perfect lighting for viewing the portraits.
The last room we visited was the kitchen, which reminded us we had yet to eat today!
Can you imagine cooking on this thing? The stove weighed in at 2000 pounds and was a wood burner.
Two burgers, please!
Our tuxedo shirt purchase also included recommendations for dining. As we departed the store, the owner told us that Ristorante Rinuccini was directly across from the castle entrance. Having an Italian restaurant this close must have been handly for the castle owners to go to dinner 900 years ago!
The castle was about one block away!
Ristorante Rinuccini is a refined Italian choice. In a formal dining room, tuxedoed waiters serve homemade pasta. The menu was exciting, with a selection of prime beef and seafood. We opted to share a plate so we could fit into our wedding clothes.
We lucked out as they had one table remaining!
The restaurant was beautiful on the inside. As we sat, a busload of gardeners showed up, and they went into another private dining area.
Our waiter was also a wine specialist!
We had a magnificent meal and topped it off with a most interesting Irish whiskey. We could have made a dinner from the appetizer.
We ate too fast, so the pasta dishes disappeared before the camera could come out.
The taxi stand was a few doors down the street, and thirty minutes later, we were at the Manor House and visiting friends at 1757.
Amy and Lar came over from the Hunter’s Lodge and joined us. I invited the other two guys to join us, too. We laughed and giggled until well after midnight.
We drank Guinness and whiskey for a couple of hours.
Amy and Lar ensured we got to our room safely, as we had a couple of drinks and two flights of stairs to navigate.
We celebrated by drinking a fine whiskey. The first and only whiskey of its kind, The Taoscán is the world’s first Port and chestnut-finished whiskey, a unique blend of barrels brought together in perfect harmony.
After we celebrated, I discovered the whiskey sells for $2189 / 750ml.
Yummy!
Amen!
Posted inAdventures, Friends|Comments Off on Day 7 – The Manor House, We Have Arrived!
We were up at the crack of noon! We must have been tired because my eyes did not open until 8:00 am. Perhaps I have discovered the secret: whiskey sours make you sleep!
We opened the curtains and saw a magnificent Irish morning.
What is a huge Irish spider called? Paddy long legs.
It was a wonderful day with spots of rain here and there.
We got ready, and I thoroughly enjoyed the shower with the overhead rain fixture and the heated tile floors. We then had the hotel’s complimentary breakfast and headed downstairs to the Hound at 9:15 am. We need our strength for Mr. Road’s Wild Ride Part III.
Just like at Disneyland, we were off in a cloud of dust.
Waterford was about 30 miles from the estate. The House of Waterford is in Waterford, Ireland, a Viking city built in 914 AD. This esteemed factory is the beating heart of the world’s luxury crystal manufacture and is where our most intricate, authentic, and masterful crystal pieces come to life.
Thirty-three minutes as the crow flies, 90 minutes as we drive!
Before going on the road, we had breakfast at the Hound.
Breakfast at the Hound.
We hit the road at 10:00 am with an 11:00 am appointment at Waterford. We got the GPS to work with the car, so it was easy to get there.
On the road again.
Mary was an excellent driver, although I had to notify her when the speedometer exceeded the indicated speed limit.
Mary was serious for 33 minutes and had a death grip on the steering wheel.
We rolled into Waterford with 15 minutes to spare. Some friendly folks pointed us to the parking lot, and we checked in at 10:58, right on time. We had a private tour with our docent, who I kept in stitches during the tour.
The first stop was an all-crystal grandfather clock.
We took a VIP tour with our docent.
We passed through two sets of security doors and entered the manufacturing area. The crystal had just come out of the oven at 2000 degrees.
The molds are made from local beechwood. The insides of the molds are burnt where the hot glass touches them. The wood is soaked in water between uses and lasts just a few days before it has to be replaced with a new mold.
The crystal is formed using beechwood molds held by the glassblower. The glass is shaped and then expanded by blowing into the pipe. After that, the glass is reshaped and reheated. This entire process takes almost 30 minutes. The glassblower must undergo five years of training and pass a strict test.
The molds last about five days before they are tossed.
The crystal is prepared for the glass cutter.
The artwork is hand-ground.
The glass cutter also has to have at least five years of training. Many of these workers have been with the company for 30-50 years! The glass is cut by hand, and the cutters must know about fifty types of cutes.
The cutting machine has embedded diamonds.
For Robin, we asked for the price and decided we would go for a plastic one instead.
For Robin.
Some examples were available to examine. By the way, each real Waterford piece has the name WATERFORD engraved somewhere on it.
The work gets pretty detailed.
We scoured the gift shop because it was Miss Mary’s birthday, and she found what she wanted. We bought two and had them shipped back home; no suitcases for these puppies!
Mary got her birthday present: Irish coffee mugs.
As part of the VIP tour, we had tea. This was our lunch, and we munched our way through it while sipping tea and watching people on the street.
We had tea in the adjoining tea room.
Hey, why not try a new shot? I was outside looking for Mary to come out of the Loo and decided the reflection in the glass was interesting (the buildings, not me).
Mary used the facilities, and I experimented.
We crossed the street and went to the Medieval Museum. It was quite well done. Below is an actual room circa 1200s. The stonework is pretty impressive, considering it is a thousand years old. Note: the lighting is new!
In the basement of the Medieval Museum, it was dark and dank.
They recreated the clothes of the medieval folks and had an extensive collection of vestments used by the clergy.
Regular clothes of the 12th century.
We like to dress for any occasion.
We dressed for the occasion.
We only had time to visit one of the five museums, but we could have stayed there all day.
There were five museums in the complex; we went to one.
Heading home, we traveled M9, a freeway like those we have at home. Once we leave the freeway, the roads narrow, and we slow down to a crawl when anyone comes in the other direction.
It rained on the way home, and some streets were narrow.
Paul needed a drink (or two) back at the estate after we had the car valet parked. Mary inspected the left-hand side of the car, and it was OK, even though a lot of Saint Anne’s Lace was trimmed along the way.
We are entering the estate.
Being in-country required us to become more Irish, so we transformed ourselves with some help from AI.
Mary got into this Irish thing.
I loved the leatherwork as it was warm and waterproof. I traded my cane for a sword, ran into the pub, and hoisted a pint of brew.
Sir Paul is here to slay the dragon.
The Dragon Lady went to freshen up after the harrowing experience of driving. She returned with her evening finery.
We dressed for dinner.
We stayed at the Hound from 4:30 p.m. until 10:30 p.m., partaking in various libations and having dinner with new friends Amy and Larry. They are from Northern Ireland and are on holiday.
Amy and Mary are new friends.
Larry and I joked all evening long and kept the ladies in stitches. We even had the barkeep make us a Greyhound! He found some grapefruit soda in the back room, and it worked.
Amy and Lar were a fun couple, and we had dinner with them at the Hound.
You know what they say:
Posted inAdventures, Friends|Comments Off on Day 6 – Happy Birthday Mary; To Waterford!
That’s why I always recommend a good BM in the morning – Bloody Mary!
I once submitted ten puns to a joke competition. I really thought with that many, one was sure to win. Sadly, no pun in ten did.
At 7:30 am, I was summoned by the boss and requested to go downstairs and bring her a latte. What was my choice? I complied, promptly put on some clothes, and headed to the ground floor and the breakfast area. I retrieved the latte and got myself a hot chocolate and a donut!
I was soon alerted that I had forgotten the straw! All men make mistakes, but married men find out about them sooner.
Try it; it’s fun. I know Vibrant O’Goofy, Cheerful McNoodles, and Itchy O’Wacky will enjoy it.
Breakfast was grand, and we stayed for quite a while, filling up on fresh berries and other goodies for the upcoming highway adventure.
My doctor said I look like a million dollars – green and wrinkled.
We packed up, loaded the car, and went on “Mr. Toad ‘s Wild Ride, Part II.”
Hang on, here we go!
We made the trip in 55 minutes. Mary got confused between kilometers and miles. No wonder the telephone poles looked like picket fences. We stopped twice so I could throw water on the glowing red rubber tires. I kept yelling the current speed, but finally, the speedometer broke with the needle pegged up against the “danger” sign.
Zoom was an understatement.
The roads kept narrowing as we approached the estate. Mary made me walk the last mile ahead of the car carrying a red lantern. I looked like a big fat Bo Peep bringing in a large grey sheep.
The facility was immaculate (and clean also!). The clouds were threatening, and the temperature hovered in the low 50s.
The facade was amazing.
She walked into the lobby and requested that I follow behind her by five paces with my head facing down. I implicitly followed her instructions.
Mary carried the piano bench while I had the remaining sixteen suitcases.
I overheard the conversation and immediately thought about the trunk at midnight being 42 degrees. Maybe I can request a bath towel to keep me warm (if it does not cost extra)?
Why me???
After we found our room and freshened up, we headed to the bar but decided we needed to eat. The Hound was a five-star dining experience; the food presentations were marvelous. We met a lovely couple from Northern Ireland and spent the afternoon doing what Irish people do! hic!
A magnificent view of the range.
When our room was finally ready, we returned to the lobby to get the key and directions; Mary visited the security pheasant. His name was Woody!
Mary tried her language skills on the bird.
When we found our suite, I decided to test the bed. I fell asleep within 45 seconds of entering the room. Mary covered me up, said a few words (which will not be repeated here), and waited two hours to dare wake me up!
Being the reigning champ of no hangovers, I popped up, straightened up my clothes, and assisted Mary to the Hound for a light dinner and a boggle of wine.
The rain keeps coming.
The roofs were all slate. Hard slate, such as purple or grayish-black Buckingham slate, can last 150 to 200 years. However, you must keep the slate clean, or you could get moss buildup.
Slate roofs last forever.
We had one more bottle of wine (it sounds like an excellent name for a country western song). Mary had the soup special, and I had a Waldorf salad and a salmon appetizer.
Dinner at The Hound!
The presentations were terrific. This beauty is salmon sitting on a diced onion with a beautiful sauce.
Salmon for dinner!
So, at the end of dinner, we were both shot! Mary did her famous “Mary Grin,” which meant it was time to go home. After paying the bill, we both headed to the room, which was like the blind leading the blind. After several wrong turns, we found the room.
The evening was perfect; I did NOT have to go to the car and sleep. I did find the linen closet a little cramped.
We called Dianne, Robin, and Colleen but only talked to Colleen and Mark since it was noon on Saturday and everybody was out and about.
Mary, after her second glass of wine.
We crashed at 11:00 pm as tomorrow we are going to Waterford Crystal Factory and then to a formal high tea where I have promised to behave (fat chance!). BTW, tomorrow is Mary’s birthday.
[wpcode id=”76760″]Our day started with the loud blare of the 6:00 am alarm. We sprang out of bed and quickly prepared ourselves for the day’s exciting adventure!
We showered, put on our cleanest dirty clothes, and went to have breakfast at our hotel.
The breakfast options were great. I had dry toast, and Mary had a little of everything.
To catch the bus at bus stop #6, we had to be at the bus stop by 9:18 am. Despite the heavy drizzle, everyone seemed to ignore it as we walked.
As I age, I remember all the people I lost along the way, and I wonder if a career as a tour guide was the right choice.
If everything goes according to plan, we should arrive at Guinness about 30 minutes before our scheduled time.
The light rain/heavy drizzle was good because it allowed us to cool off from our speed walking activity. We walked to stop #6 again, this time without a map. Eight stops later, the bus dropped us off at Guinness.
Hello Guinness!
It was lightly misting, so we hurried inside upon our arrival. I looked drenched, so they let us in early. Plus, it was time for a beer!
The black stuff, Irish champagne, ebony nectar, black custard, and a pint of plain are all nicknames for this much-loved Irish institution. There’s no doubt that Guinness is one of the most famous beers in the world.
We are ready to go inside.
Guinness converted its huge building into an area that told the whole story of Guinness, complete with merchandise on the first floor, three floors of how they make beer, two floors for food and drink, and viewing the city on the seventh floor. It is called The Guinness Storehouse.
The Guinness Storehouse was built in 1904 as a St. James’ Gate Brewery fermentation plant. It was closed in 1988, and a decade later, in 2000, it was transformed into a seven-floor storehouse open to the general public.
There were seven floors to explore.
How did Guinness get a 9,000-year lease? The owner of St. James’s Gate Brewery asked for £100 as a deposit and £ 45 rent per month. On December 31, 1759, Arthur Guinness succeeded in getting the owner to sign a lease for a maximum of 9,000 years. Under these conditions, Guinness beer is still brewed at St. James Gate, and the company pays loyalty every month £ 45!
Did I say the building was built well? Look at all that steel initially used to support the enormous copper vats containing the beer.
The building is old but built well.
The barley display had amazing three-D effects and a sky that changed from summertime to winter as we stood there. It emphasized the relationship with the local farmers over the centuries.
Did You Know? Barley (Hordeum vulgare), a member of the grass family, is a major cereal grain grown in temperate climates globally. It was one of the first cultivated grains, domesticated in the Fertile Crescent around 9000 BC, giving it nonshattering spikelets and making it much easier to harvest. Its use then spread throughout Eurasia by 2000 BC. Barley prefers relatively low temperatures and well-drained soil to grow. It is relatively tolerant of drought and soil salinity but is less winter-hardy than wheat or rye.
In 2022, barley was fourth among grains in quantity produced, 155 million tonnes, behind maize, wheat, and rice. Globally, 70% of barley production is used as animal feed. In comparison, 30% is used as a source of fermentable material for beer, or further distilled into whisky, and as a component of various foods.
Everything is grown fresh in Ireland for Guinness beers.
Beer is 92% water, so the quality of the water is essential. The display was fantastic, with the water being controlled to show beer bottles and signage.
Even the water comes from the local mountains.
The manufacturing has to be precise to ensure consistency in the beer. Guinness has it down to a science these days!
We enjoyed several tastes as we progressed through the displays. In dog beers, I’ve only had one.
Roasting the ingredients is a trick. That is 449.6 degrees Fahrenheit!
There were AV displays everywhere, and we looked at old pictures of how it was made one hundred years ago. It was backbreaking work, from bringing the ingredients to making the barrels. Guinness was ahead of his time as he provided housing for his workers, complete with hot and cold running water.
Their AV displays are fabulous.
They had been advertising for 100+ years, so part of the tour included a visit to all the campaigns that had taken place during that time.
Remember, “Beer makes you feel the way you ought to feel without beer.”
They have old advertising displays available to view.
A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle – a campaign from 70 years ago!
Enough said.
At the end of the tour, we climbed two more stories. Above us were several restaurants, and finally, on the top floor, was a 360-degree enclosed observation deck. Perched atop the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin, Ireland, the Gravity Bar is an iconic spot that offers breathtaking 360-degree views of the city while you savor a pint of the world-renowned Guinness stout.
View from seven floors up.
Without question, beer is the greatest invention in mankind’s history. Oh, I grant you that the wheel was also a fine invention, but the wheel does not go nearly as well with pizza.
We dined on the 6th floor and had Irish stew and a glass of the brew! But I digress.
It’s the best stew we have had so far, probably because it was made with Guinness!
After a power nap, we took a taxi to the Westbury Hotel’s dining room called Wilde for a delightful dinner.
To the Westbury Hotel for drinks and dinner.
The ambiance and service were superb. We sat on the enclosed patio surrounded by greenery. It was a fantastic meal with attentive, friendly staff.
It was named after Oscar Wilde!
We shared a bottle of excellent champagne!
She is about to get a surprise.
While dining, we met a couple from San Francisco. Doing what I do, I ordered a “surprise” from the bartender, and it was excellent. Then I ordered two more: one for me and one for the next table over. The bartender did not have a name for the drink, so after some discussions, we called him over and told him the name!
It was named “Gender Reveal.”
Why, you ask? Well, it looked like a female drink because of the color. It tasted like a male drink because of the spicy, smokey taste!
We had a delicious meal, and to top it off, we shared a baked Alaska.
REAL baked Alaska.
The waiter sang Happy Birthday to M’Lady, which she had NOT expected.
We celebrated Mary’s birthday early.
After such a meal, we wanted to walk. Since returning to our hotel by foot was out of the question, we ambled up and down the shopping area, enjoying the sights.
We strolled the shopping district for 30 minutes after dinner.
We hopped on an electric taxi. The driver loved the car, and it was a quiet ride.
We did NOT drive in the city.
Our hotel features live music from 9:00 pm until late. The musician played several danceable songs, and we enjoyed them. Yes, we had another small drink before heading to the elevator.
It was a good time. It was only a 15-minute walk to get there, but the walk home took 45 minutes; the difference was staggering.
We returned to our hotel and danced until 11:30 pm.
With help from my doctor, we made it to the fourth floor, where we crashed. We are driving to Mount Juliet tomorrow, where we will stay for a week before returning home.
BTW we were the only folks dancing, and we got a standing ovation!
We have returned to normal. We were up and moving at 5:30 am, so we have adjusted to the new time zone.
We got ready and dressed in our exploring attire. First, we had a light breakfast at the hotel, and then we went off to see Dublin on the Jump-On/Jump-Off bus. For $40, you can spend all day on the bus, getting on and off at the various sights within the city. Such a deal!
It was cold so we sat up top in front, enclosed but had a magnificent view.
We do not JUMP! We carefully board and un-board!
Nobody knows where we go, not even us! The only requirement was that we must return to our hotel by 5:00 p.m. to prepare for the dinner show at 6:30 pm .
We saw everything! (Click for a full-sized map)
We walked to the nearest pickup point, #6. Although the online app said it would take 9 minutes, it took us almost 25 minutes. We did stop and take pictures.
Walk, walk, walk!
The walk took us by the “Grand Canal”. There were barges on the canal with people living inside.
The canal can be used by barges up to 12 feet in the beam. The canal passes through 36 locks and crosses the River Liffey near Sallins on the Leinster Aqueduct, a stone structure of four arches designed by Richard Evans. Commercial navigation ceased in 1960, but the main line remains open for recreational use.
Walking down the Grand Canal.
They control the canal level using 36 different locks along its path.
Amazing water control.
We waited for the bus to arrive. It was right on time and also very empty. We sat in the first seat at the top near the windshield. It was scary as the bus weaved in and out of traffic at a top speed of Warp Seven! The smell of burning tires lingered in the air, and the screeching sounds of rubber hitting the road were almost deafening. But we made it.
We were awaiting the bus as Mary studied the signage.
Being upstairs right over the driver’s head was an eerie feeling. We both stomped on the floor as if to hit the brakes but it didn’t work. The driver wondered what was going on. Since they drive these big vehicles daily, the drivers know what they can and cannot do.
We could see everything. We are about to enter Warp One!
Riding upstairs, we could see the effect of electronics on the city. The buildings are “old” and completed before even radio came into being. They placed wires and cables needed in this digital age along the sides of the buildings. Does the term “rat’s nest” come to mind?
Wires everywhere.
Always clean your fireplaces and chimneys, or you will get gardens sprouting up. Between the soot and bird droppings, the chimneys had rich soil on top. Most of the chimneys had weed and flower gardens growing at the top.
Clean your chimneys.
We jumped off at the Guinness Distillery since we had a noon reservation. We then discovered our tickets were for Jameson Distillery! It was already busy.
We were ready to go!
Then we looked at the tickets, and they were for tomorrow! We had no tickets for Guinness at all; the tickets we had were for Jameson Whiskey Distillery! Oops!
We told the bus driver about the situation, and he checked. Using this online app, he found nothing open today or tomorrow.
After a few minutes of Mary crying alligator tears and me weeping, he went inside the Guinness building and motioned us inside.
It’s going to be OK, Mary!
He had “pulled” a few strings, and we could buy tickets for tomorrow! We did and moma’s happy! He got a good tip!!
We then headed to the Jameson facility and took the tour (we had tickets for Jameson). It was founded by John Jameson in 1780, and today, the former factory is a monument to Irish whiskey.
It was like Disneyland; we ran through the front entrance like two little kids!
Remember, “There is no bad whiskey. There are only some whiskeys that aren’t as good as others.”
We are entering Jameson sober.
We got a history lesson first and then entered the science room, where we learned about making whiskey.
I was getting the lowdown on making whiskey.
The tasting room was our favorite. Ask Mary about “the leg man.” We tasted three types of whiskey, and as usual, we decided on the best one.
Loads of interesting facts.
We looked all over for the medical prescription glasses but alas, we will have to order them from Amazon!
BAck on the bus, we completed the route and returned to #6. We returned to the hotel from the #6 stop (where we began today’s journey).
The burritos were great. We shared one burrito, which was plenty for each of us.
The cooks did a great job, and the burritos were super!
We returned to the hotel at 2:00 pm. and at 4:00 pm, we went to have a drink before catching a cab to the Celtic Nights Show at the Arlington Hotel.
We arrived a tad early and went to the pub next door before the performance.
The bar was part of the hotel, but when the theater doors opened, we had to go outside to enter the basement theater.
Decisions decision.
At 6:30 sharp, the doors opened, and 150 of our closest friends joined us for the two-hour romp through Irish folk music. I might add that we carried the remaining wine with us—without spilling a single drop!
We had good seats, far enough away not to go deaf but close enough to see the action.
In the basement of the hotel, the atmosphere was perfect.
Jameson was working on us before we got there! We thought of Jeff all during dinner.
Jameson was here in spirit.
I could not resist this photo!
I love this picture.
We ordered bread and immediately thought of Dianne Reidy. We brought the remaining pieces home to the hotel with us.
The Irish bread was fantastic.
Mary did the Irish stew.
Official Irish Stew. BTW, Mary’s is much better!!
I went for the excellent lamb stew.
Dinner will be served.
During the two-hour performance, we consumed a bottle of champagne and then took a taxi to the hotel. The doorman at the bar where we first stopped saw us exit the theater and stopped a taxi for us.
The city was not quiet at 10:30 pm. The buildings were nicely lit up. So were we!
We were tired, so we went straight to our rooms and crashed. The lights were off at 11:30 pm; we didn’t even read!
[wpcode id=”76760″]Jet Blue and Aer Lingus did a great job getting us to our destination after American canceled the flight. Traveling First/Business is the only way to go. We had excellent meals, and the seating was superb. There were as many knobs and controls at our seats as a car. The entertainment center had everything, and the seat could fold into a bed.
I was having trouble falling asleep, so I decided to have a glass of wine every 45 minutes to help me relax. Surprisingly, the wine didn’t seem to have any effect on me, which I found quite amusing. On the bright side, my decision to consume less wine also meant that I was reducing the weight of the airplane, ultimately saving on fuel. Meanwhile, I took the opportunity to watch movies while my companion, who I fondly refer to as Sleeping Beauty, dozed off and snored soundly for the entirety of the last 4,000 miles of our journey.
There is a fantastic amount of room!
After a challenging but successful journey, we completed a six-hour flight through the night, while also adapting to a five-hour time change. Despite the long and tiring journey, we were able to reach our destination by 8:30 am.
The airport was easy to navigate since they had Gaelic signs everywhere! English is the most widely spoken language, with over 80% of the population using it as their first language. Irish is the official first language of the country and is spoken by a little over 40% of the population. Polish is the third most common language, spoken by over 3% of the population.
Green airplanes are everywhere.
Before getting the car, I exchanged currency at the store near the car pickup. Mary got bags from the airplane. Mary has hidden talents! She and the other five bags came toward the currency exchange area. My Girl Friday does a wonderful job.
Standing in line, I almost yelled, “Over here Friday, and hurry it up!” But common sense and my desire for self-preservation kicked in, and I refrained from such a self-destructive outburst.
The words “Hurry up, Friday!” were never spoken.
We’re about to have some fun now that we’ve rented a (Pew-Got) Peugeot, a French car. It was a hatchback and quite spacious.
We had trouble connecting the iPhone to the car’s onboard system because our cables didn’t match. After leaving the car park, we went straight to Circle-K, about two blocks away, and bought 50 euros worth of cables. Finally, we got the iPhone GPS connected to the car.
I must admit I was a bit scared as Mary was driving, not because of her but because we had to drive on the wrong side of the road. We spent about an hour driving 33 minutes because we were getting used to the street signage and missed several off ramps/turns.
As expected, Mary adapted and did an EXCELLENT job. I felt safe and secure since I was locked in the trunk, wrapped in fireproof blankets, hugging my fire extinguisher and first aid kit, having my cell phone speed dial settings ready to call the police and local hospital, and strapped to the floor with a five-point racing car harness.
Tomorrow, if we drive, I will sit in the back seat and have Mary wear a bidet and gloves to look like my driver. Oops, beret—I keep forgetting.
We are located in the center of town!
We found a spot to park underground and unloaded it in preparation for going to the room. All eighteen bags surrounded the car, and this lovely lady came over and said hello in Galic. I responded with, “Dia duit ann. Nílimid ach ar cuairt ar feadh cúpla lá. Thug Mary a cnuasach culaith leis.” After being slapped a few times, she offered to help us.
OK, here is the truth: we only had five bags. The lady grabbed two and went to the lobby. She then came back and got the last big bag. Mary and I soon followed, hoping she wasn’t a homeless person making off with our clothes. With our carry-ons in tow, after Mary repacked hers after “the big cable search,” we headed to the lobby.
We asked the front desk person who this masked hero/homeless person was, and it turned out it was the hotel’s General Manager!! Wow, talk about service. We are going to write Hilton about her helping us.
Check-in was easy, and we were on our way to the room in minutes.
We were on the 4th floor with a scenic view of the next-door hotel. Oh well, we just wanted to take our pills and have a drink—well deserved, I might add. We had a better room reserved, but it was not ready. We didn’t care; we needed to freshen up after thirty-six hours of traveling. I was eyeing the firehose outside but decided to wait another ten minutes.
After freshening up (and changing my underwear after Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride), we went downstairs to the Bistro. We enjoyed a mouthwatering pastrami sandwich paired with a delightful glass of wine. And to top it off, I indulged in a refreshing whiskey sour.
When we returned to our room, I was exhausted. I decided to take a relaxing shower before climbing into bed, hoping to sleep straight through until Thursday morning. To my dismay, I woke up at 7:00 pm feeling wide awake and ready for action.We studied the local brochures. Mary took a shower, and we went downstairs for something to eat and a libation. You know what they say, “Nuair atá tú in Éirinn, déan mar a dhéanann na hÉireannaigh!”
It’s time for dinner.
The Bistro was open, and soccer was playing on every TV. We found a little area with two tables and no TV, yeah!!
We sat down and had dinner; six people came in a few minutes later. It was a “family” of six, three of whom were Irish and three from Venezuela! It’s a long story; ask us! Wonderful people!
Mary introduced us using her Spanish skills.
New friends.
They speak English, Spanish, and German. Mary had a holiday!! I assisted in the translations! My efforts did result in some raised eyebrows and two orders of fried grasshoppers?
Spanish is spoken here.
We will see them again tomorrow and celebrate again! It will be great fun! Mary and I ordered a round of Jameson Eighteen for the guys.
Fun with friends.
I made the toast after swigging down the Jameson. Burn baby burn!
The German-speaking person and Mary exchanged email/text numbers to coordinate tomorrow’s meeting.
They were speaking German and sharing numbers.
At 11:42 pm, we turned off the lights and fell asleep quickly. We were out like a light!
Tomorrow, Jameson Distillery and the On-And-Off Bus will be there before going to the Celtic Nights performance.
Time to celebrate!
We crashed at m night! Just before my glass slippers turned into moccasins!
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