Fabulous place, Dublin is.

Dublin.... Dublin, Dublin, Dublin....

Okay, let me be completely honest - there isn't really anything I NEED to see there. >_> I thought I wouldn't have enough time, but looking through my book... there are really only 2 things in the city that I want to check out.

Hmm... well anyway, here's my plan:

~*~ April 14, Tuesday ~*~

After visiting Mullingar, I will arrive in Dublin. First order of business - check into the hotel. Second thing is...

Garden of Remembrance:

It's a small, peaceful park North of the Liffy (a river... my hotel is above it also). It's dedicated to the men and women who lost their lives in pursuit of Irish freedom. (open daily, dawn until dusk)






Then I don't know - shop - eat - nothing major.




~*~ April 15, Wednesday ~*~

County Clare (check back next week^^)




~*~ April 16, Thursday ~*~

A Tour of the Military Road:
The road was built by the British to flush out Irish rebels after an uprising in 1798. It's 60 miles long and has the following "attractions" to see along the way -

Glencree - former British barraks
Sally Gap - a remote pass surrounded by a vast expanse of blanket bog with pools and steams
Glenmacnass - (after Sally Gap) it drops down into a deep glen with a waterfall spilling over rocks
Glendalough - an ancient lakeside monastery enclosed by wooded slopes (the prime historical sight of the Wicklow Mountains)
Vale of Clara - wooded valley that follows the river Avonmore (contains the tiny village Clara which has 2 houses, a school, and a church)
Roundwood - highest village in Ireland. it's main street has cafes, pubs, and craft shops
Lough Tay - "stark, rocky slopes plunge into the dark waters of Lough Tay" (book quote) the lake is accessible to walkers even though the land is owned by Guinness.
Great Sugar Loaf - you can climb the granite cone of Sugar Loaf Mountain in under an hour from the car park on the south side (I won't be climbing it, by the way - I don't climb mountains alone and I think Nonny would K-I-L-L me haha. I'll take photos from the car)
Powerscourt Waterfall - The River Dargle cascades over granite, making Ireland's biggest waterfall at 425 feet.











(By the way, Judy, if I remember correctly that movie you love (P.S. I love you)... she was in Wicklow National Park when she met Gerard Butler! lol)

So... 60 miles... I don't know how long it will take but it doesn't matter because I have nothing else planned for the day. If I have time when I get back to Dublin I'll meander.


~*~ April 17, Friday ~*~

County Cork (check back in 2 weeks^^)


~*~ April 18, Saturday ~*~


Malahide Castle:
This is about 10 miles outside of Dublin. It was the home of the Talbot family until 1973. They were supporters of James II and "on the day of the Battle of the Boyne in 1690, 14 members of the family had breakfast there - none came back for supper." DUN DUN DUN! (open 10am-5pm, there is an admission charge)





When I get back I'll finish some shopping... eat... blah blah... free time


~*~ April 19, Sunday ~*~

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