17. The Wicklow Mountains into Dublin

Friday, May 31

We left the seashore in a gray mist and worked our way to Waterford. I thought it was just a crystal factory, but it was a very nice harbor city.

Crystal is no longer made there as the manufacturing of crystal has moved to Czechoslovakia. However, a showroom is still there where you can learn the history of their crystal. Many of the craftsmen are still in the area and you can buy from them, but it won't say Waterford.

 Daryl in the showroom.

We walked around town, and along the river where we took a picture of the Viking Monument. It has been so interesting on this whole trip to see the influence of the Vikings and the Romans.

The shops gradually opened and we wandered into one. Everyone was so nice and welcoming and I could listen to them talk all day. One very sweet young lady looked for a t-shirt size for me and found they were out of it. She suggested another and she could tell I wasn't interested. No pressure at all as she said, "Aw, you had your heart set on it now didn't cha." Read that with a strong Irish accent. Too cute! We had the nicest conversation. Everyone wants to know where we're from and what we're doing. Great people.

There is a lifelike monument to John F. Kennedy in Waterford and we stopped to get pictures of shaking his hand. The Irish people were very fond of him as he was an inspiration to Irish Immigrants and the U.S. recognized Irish independence before other countries. The whole country went into mourning when he was assassinated.

As we drove on we noticed it was more populated, but there were still beautiful rolling hills with fabulous shades of green fields and woods. Henry had been telling us this was a strawberry capital, when we saw a stand beside the road. Andy actually whipped to the side of the road and several piled off the bus to buy small containers of strawberries. We all shared and drove off happily munching deliciously sweet strawberries.

Our next stop was Avoca, Ireland's oldest weaving mill dated 1723. We walked through the very pleasant buildings and watched them work. It was all very casual and interesting. We saw them cutting and folding brightly colored blankets as they came off the looms. They also had lovely gardens and a tea room. The whole atmosphere was very peaceful.

As we left the mill, we traveled through a long stretch of steep hills of dark woods with tangled vines and ferns. The road followed a winding river through a canopy of trees. Beautiful. Henry said this area looked like Scotland and that much of Braveheart, which is supposed to be Scotland, was actually filmed here. Love of this kind of country must be buried in our genes as we both purr with contentment.

We pass occasional quaint, delightful, Victorian houses that set back in the woods and were used for Gatekeepers on estates. They are stone with high roof peaks and criss cross panes on the window.

In Glendolough, we stopped at the Monestary ruins and nature area. What a treat. Henry told us that monestaries were more than religious orders, they were working farms. They were easy prey for raiding Vikings and tribes from Dublin. They developed round stone towers with only a narrow opening. They would hide in there, taking only valuable manuscripts, etc. Meanwhile, their farms would be wiped out, but they would remain safe.

This Monestary operated during the 8th, 9th, or 10th century. We walked through the ruins and around the graveyard. One often used symbol was a Celtic High Cross with a ring which depicted the seasons. We walked about two miles through the woods and fields and around the little lake with Joe and Judie. It was a delight.

 

From here we gradually came into the city of Dublin.  As we passed the Church of Ireland that was right on the highway, I noticed their sign that said, "Jesus is my rock and I'm ready to roll!"

Dublin is the Capitol of Ireland and houses all of the government buildings and embassies. On the outskirts, it could have been any city with multiple lanes of traffic, high rises, businesses, and crowds. I was reminded of a scene from the movie "Brigadoon" with Gene Kelly, where I hazed out for a moment  lost in a dream of Scottish ballads and clean, flowering mountains.

We settled into our hotel near the city center on the River Lithy and met back on the bus to go off to a dinner theater. What a treat. We had a great meal topped off with Irish Coffee followed by a grand show of music, singing, dancers and a fabulous comedian that had us laughing till we hurt.

We drove home through the city and Henry pointed out some interesting land marks. In some places, historic buildings were torn down in the 60's and replaced by lifeless, ugly buildings. Again, Henry said, poor planning, and he called it (and I love this) "Government Sponcered Vandalism."

On the way up to our room, I stopped to ask for Internet. The service cost 10 Euros. The tall, very Irish looking, desk clerk asked where I was from and when I said the states, it sparked a lively conversation. He had family in Chicago. He ended up giving me Internet for free for his "new friend from the states." I was soon to find out that this was just one example of the delightful people we met in this fun city.