Streets of Dublin

Carol Freshley October 25, 2015

We saw so little of Dublin . . . meaning I want to go back. I was not expecting the diversity we found. From what we could learn, when joining the EU, Ireland welcomed many immigrants from all over Europe. It also has very open work study visa programs that allow people to come, study and then stay and work. Dublin offers a mix of old architecture on cobblestone streets with new buildings with glass facades and bright lights. Regardless of where you are in Dublin, the Liffey River is a central focal point. Many bridges date back over a hundred years!

What an incredible trip! Thank you for joining us.

A Beer and a Church

Carol Freshley October 25, 2015

We took the train from the outskirts of Dublin into the center of town. Our lofty goal was to check out St. Patrick's Cathedral, Christ Church and if time permitted the Guinness Storehouse. All were listed as 'must sees'. As it turned out, the Guinness Storehouse was very close to the train station so we decided to do it first and hope we could walk fast enough to both churches and get the train back to our hotel at a reasonable hour.

Guinness built this high entertainment information venue in what was once part of their fermentation plant.  Their goal was to educate the public about making brew and most especially about what makes Guinness so special.  The cost of admi… — Guinness built this high entertainment information venue in what was once part of their fermentation plant. Their goal was to educate the public about making brew and most especially about what makes Guinness so special. The cost of admission include a free pint of the good stuff which you are welcome to have after you go through a short introduction on how to taste beer. In this image, the blue blur is caused by a video being played demonstrating how oak barrels are made. Very interesting!

There is a huge waterfall that represents the importance of good water.  It is back lit with blue lights. — There is a huge waterfall that represents the importance of good water. It is back lit with blue lights.

The seven story venue is highly interactive with examples of Irish grown barley, hops and pieces of machinery to illustrate how complex brewing beer is . . . and of course how good Guinness beer is!

The pieces of machinery took on the role of being 'art' and when the descriptions are read they become testimony to man's ingenuity.

Sometimes the art was simply a geometric collection of pipes that seemed to go nowhere!  But, they are what has been creatively left of the old brewery.  The seven story atrium, complete with escalators and hanging art had points of intere… — Sometimes the art was simply a geometric collection of pipes that seemed to go nowhere! But, they are what has been creatively left of the old brewery. The seven story atrium, complete with escalators and hanging art had points of interest at every turn. Best of all, photographers and their tripods are welcome!

The toucan first appeared in Guinness advertising in 1935. It was dropped in the 60s.

This is a 12 foot tall, 2 ton wooden sculpture created to look like a pint of Guinness.  There is a great video on site showing how it was designed and built. — This is a 12 foot tall, 2 ton wooden sculpture created to look like a pint of Guinness. There is a great video on site showing how it was designed and built.

From the Gravity Bar at the top of Guinness Storehouse.  It is the highest place in Dublin the public can go to see a great panorama of the city. It felt a bit odd being in a bar with Guinness on all the tables and kids running around baby carr… — From the Gravity Bar at the top of Guinness Storehouse. It is the highest place in Dublin the public can go to see a great panorama of the city. It felt a bit odd being in a bar with Guinness on all the tables and kids running around baby carriages parked next to tables!

The Storehouse is located in the brewery's original neighborhood.  The cobblestone streets as they were over a century ago. — The Storehouse is located in the brewery's original neighborhood. The cobblestone streets as they were over a century ago.

We considered a ride to the churches.  Nah, we were up to walking, even with heavy gear. — We considered a ride to the churches. Nah, we were up to walking, even with heavy gear.

This is a side view of St. Patrick's Cathedral.  It was impossible to get even a shred of a decent shot of the front.  And, the Cathedral was closed!!  A graduation was to take place inside, the excited students and their friends and … — This is a side view of St. Patrick's Cathedral. It was impossible to get even a shred of a decent shot of the front. And, the Cathedral was closed!! A graduation was to take place inside, the excited students and their friends and family were all in traditional garb and cameras were everywhere. We were disappointed that we could not go in but walked around to the side and captured this image. Then it was off to Christ Church.

At first it looks as though Christ Church is actually two big structures.  But the actual church is on the right.  The bridge across the street is closed.  The structure on the left is a museum.  This church is worthy of some inv… — At first it looks as though Christ Church is actually two big structures. But the actual church is on the right. The bridge across the street is closed. The structure on the left is a museum. This church is worthy of some investigation if you like Irish history, church politics and architecture. Too much to include here in the blog but fascinating reading on your own.

There was a crowd around the church.  It was difficult to find an entrance! — There was a crowd around the church. It was difficult to find an entrance!

Talk about 'bright'!!  Christ Church allows photography and tripods.  A nice change for us. — Talk about 'bright'!! Christ Church allows photography and tripods. A nice change for us.

The stained glass windows were gorgeously detailed. Unfortunately, protective screens have been placed on the outside of each one and the mesh can be seen through the window.

This is the crypt under ground.  It includes a gift shop, lot of art and sculpture and an occasional crypt of some important person. — This is the crypt under ground. It includes a gift shop, lot of art and sculpture and an occasional crypt of some important person.

We walked back to the train station, realizing just how far we had walked!! Long hike! Of course, we were shooting along the way. We arrived back at the hotel just in time for a good night's sleep before heading home the next day. We agreed, it had been an incredible trip.

Glendalough's Monastery

Carol Freshley October 23, 2015

We took the St. Kevin's Bus from Dublin to Glendalough, a nice trip of just over an hour in a nice coach. We arrived late and it was not until the next day that we realized that we could see the entrance to the monastery from our bedroom window! The site, containing the remains of seven churches, a round tower, priests house, and numerous other structures is a photographer's delight. I found the site fascinating and encourage you to search for more information on its history and relevance.

St. Kevin's Church or 'Kitchen' in the foreground with the Round Tower in the background.

The Cathedral, the largest structure, built between the 10th and 13th centuries.

A closer look at the gorgeous rocks that were used to build the cathedral.  The gravestones along the side were once laid in the church's floor. — A closer look at the gorgeous rocks that were used to build the cathedral. The gravestones along the side were once laid in the church's floor.

The walls of these structures are thick.  Their nooks and crannies now offer a place for small plants, moss and even birds to call home. — The walls of these structures are thick. Their nooks and crannies now offer a place for small plants, moss and even birds to call home.

We really appreciated how the changing character of light affected the structures and graveyard as a whole.  As the sun came and went through cloud openings and as the day progressed the Tower, for example would change dramatically.  Early… — We really appreciated how the changing character of light affected the structures and graveyard as a whole. As the sun came and went through cloud openings and as the day progressed the Tower, for example would change dramatically. Early sunrise.

Flat light.  Clouds overhead.  We were waiting, waiting, waiting for a sun breakout. — Flat light. Clouds overhead. We were waiting, waiting, waiting for a sun breakout.

Another view across the creek on our way to the Visitor's Center.

Gaelic is still taught in schools and is found on just about every sign in Ireland.  While the Irish have fully embraced English, they treasure their culture and history in Gaelic.  What was fun was to listen to people speaking Gaelic and … — Gaelic is still taught in schools and is found on just about every sign in Ireland. While the Irish have fully embraced English, they treasure their culture and history in Gaelic. What was fun was to listen to people speaking Gaelic and often it was mixed up with English words, just as we hear people speaking Spanish with English.

The two lakes, the monastery and the surrounding hills could have kept us clicking away for several more days.  It  was beautiful and serene. — The two lakes, the monastery and the surrounding hills could have kept us clicking away for several more days. It was beautiful and serene.

The exit or entrance . . . we left to catch our bus back to Dublin.  At the end of the gate you can see the hotel we stayed at. — The exit or entrance . . . we left to catch our bus back to Dublin. At the end of the gate you can see the hotel we stayed at.

We hope you enjoyed our walk-about of the grounds. If you ever get to Ireland, make sure you include Glendalough in your itinerary. The drive from Dublin is short and cheap and on a very nice coach. You can walk to the hotel and wake up looking at the entrance! The hike to the Upper Lake is short enough, and well worth a sunrise shot.