Sunday we took a leisurely walk along the river. Meryl & Trevor have been delightful hosts. They are also proprietors of an adjoining inn, Hanover House, where we took our main meal each day. Sunday they had a carvery buffet that did not disappoint. Our Sunday afternoon drive started at Lough Neagh, the third largest lake in Europe. Spoiled swans and ducks expected treats; they were so aggressive that it startled several of the small children who were trying to share bread crumbs.
On to the north east coast, a land of glens. Glenariff is the Queen of the glens and she reigns over a glacier carved, u-shaped valley with dramatic red cliffs melting into fertile meadows all the way to the Irish Sea. Yes, we could see Scotland!
Monday was our last day of shopping/sight-seeing as we headed toward Dublin. Outlet mall; check. We stopped at the historical site of the Battle of the Boyne, a seventeenth century Irish rebellion against the English, and I realized I was about done.
I had looked forward to seeing Newgrange, a 7,000 year old passage tomb the whole trip. It is the largest of a number of megalithic tombs in County Meath. Taking holiday off season has meant that we rarely have been in crowds or had to wait in lines. We did not realize that Monday was a national holiday, and by the time we arrived, all tours to Newgrange were booked. We took the next to Knowth, a smaller but just as fascinating tomb, and saw Newgrange from a distance.
It had turned off cold and we had tickets to The Merry Ploughboys for dinner theater so Hill of Tara got scratched from the itinerary. Arrived at Castle Contarf in time to freshen up then off to the show. Dad LOVES Riverdance. During the summer, several counties have music/dance shows...but we had not found one anywhere we stayed. Susan found the Ploughboys on line and it was perfect. Food was good. Moved dad’s chair next to the stage and he clapped and smiled himself silly. Says it was the highlight of his trip (and he LOVED a lot of things along the way).
Tuesday as all things Dublin; HOHO, Book of Kells, Trinity College, one last pub, shopping. That’s all folks!
A few observations: signal lights bleed from red to yellow to green and vice versus so you can anticipate change either way. Round-a-bouts are the norm rather than the exception at intersections. Greg will NOT miss shifting and driving on the “wrong” side. The people we met were all kind and welcoming. I’m bringing back a couple of menu additions to my repertoire: cottage pie, true Irish stew, and lamb for sure. It sounds corny but I think seeing sheep (almost) every day really does give you a warm, fuzzy feeling.
Ireland, you are an emerald jewel, and we thoroughly enjoyed our time together. Thanks for the memories to last a lifetime! K. Let’s go home.
The photo album here.
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