Blogs from Ireland, Europe - page 377

....in my tent....in a shelter....on the wicklow way. so after waking up (which is a bit deceptive, because that would imply that i slept, which didn't happen because of the drunk snoring man that stumbled to bed at 4:30 in the hostel) and asking how to work the shower, had breakfast and down to the bus station to get to glendalough (glen da loch in gaelic, valley of the two lakes). it's about an hour south of dublin, one of the oldest monastic centers in ireland, dates from 10th and 11th century. there were some chapels and a graveyard, very peaceful and "irish." there was even a guy playing a flute on the way in, stereotypical irish in a very good way. we had lunch by the upper lake, eating our soda bread and water. quite ... read more

so...this is just a short one...it's amazing weather in dublin and i'm going out to see the sights. i picked up my cousin from the airport (figured out how to ride the bus to and from the airport like a big girl, and spent the day in dublin walking and napping, and napping some more...napped in trinity college, st. stephens green, and christchurch) and we searched for a hostel. big planner that i am, we didn't know where we were staying that night. fortunately it stays light until 10ish, so walking late at night is no big deal. found the best hostel in ireland (former U2 recording studio for 11 euro! which is potentially the highlight of my trip), dropped our bags and went to the temple bar area, where bono and edge own the clarence ... read more

We're driving today..... trying to get to the next spot. It's hard to find anything open on a bank holiday like it was yesterday.... Will put up more hopefully later.. if not... when we get back...... read more

Finally found out why part of Ireland is with the UK and the other part is with the EU...apparently a long time ago with the IRA (Irish Republican Army) wanted to break completely away from the UK, but the UK would only agree if they got to keep 6 provinces...so... there ya have it! Picking up from Wales... I took the megabus from Cardiff to London, but the megabus had broken down, so I had to take a metro (around town sort of bus) to London! Luckily no one sa next to me so it wasn't that uncomfortable. I arrived in London at 6:30pm and I was so tired so I took a 2 hour nap and then wandered around to get some food. I ate at this Aussie cafe and had an Aussie meat pie!! ... read more

url='/Videos/3714.html' onclick='dialog("/Videos/3714.html?popped=1","tbvideo",600,600);return false;'Driving in Ireland Another rainy day. We decided on the caves at Michelstown or Caher Castle. It ended up being Caher because the caves tour was in another hour and also everyone was worried that, because of the rain, the caves would be dripping wet. (more than likely) Caher Castle (1142) offers tours but we chose to just wander around and feel the atmosphere of the place. It is a very impressive river -island castle and if ever you wanted to see a castle on a rock, surrounded by a moat, (well river actually) full of turrets, towers, massive walls, defences and dungeons, this is it. The inside has not been done up like nearby Rock of Cashel and is smaller but it wins hands down for allowing you to wander around freely and ... read more