Craig Collins' Portfolio R. Craig Collins > Web Page Design > Portfolio > Ireland

Christmas 2011, Republic of Ireland/N. Ireland (UK) © R. Craig Collins, 2011/2
To Dublin, 2007

Skip to the pictures and travel Blog to Monday 12/26 to Tuesday 12/27(Dublin) to Wednesday 12/28 (Belfast) to Thursday 12/29 (Blarney) to Friday 12/30 (Kilkenny)

The plan:

Monday December 26 to Monday 12/26
Aer Lingus # 6261 Operated by: UNITED -- UA 5392
Austin-Chicago O'Hare
Departure (AUS): December 26, 2:35 PM CST (afternoon)
Arrival (ORD): December 26, 5:10 PM CST (evening)
Seats: 4A,4B, 3C, 3D
December 31
Aer Lingus #125
Dublin (DUB) to Chicago O'Hare International (ORD)
Departure (DUB): December 31, 1:00 PM GMT (afternoon)
Arrival (ORD): December 31, 3:30 PM CST (afternoon)
Seats: 16 FG HK window

Aer Lingus # 124
Chicago O'Hare International (ORD) to Dublin (DUB)
Departure (ORD): December 26, 7:15 PM CST (evening)
Arrival (DUB): December 27, 9:00 AM GMT (morning)
Seats: 15 FG HK window

American #335 AA record locator: BAIPFD
Chicago O'Hare International (ORD) to Austin-Bergstrom Int'l (AUS)
Departure (ORD): December 31, 5:45 PM CST (evening)
Arrival (AUS): December 31, 8:25 PM CST (evening)
Changed Nov. 6, Seats: 24 B,  D, E, F window

Map of ireland

was
Aer Lingus # 6257 Operated by: UNITED -- UA 3674
Chicago O'Hare International (ORD) to Austin-Bergstrom Int'l (AUS)
Departure (ORD): December 31, 8:05 PM CST (evening)
Arrival (AUS): December 31, 10:52 PM CST (evening)
Flight Cancelled





Aer Lingus record locator: 26L5LS
Orbitz record locator: AP1101013P3DSMGZ
Airline ticket number(s): 0538697545713-716
United Mileage Plus #03073162873

Airport Transfer,
Suntransfers.com: 111121...Uz9 (SUNTR_AJ5540)


Tuesday, December 27
Ripley Court Hotel
www.ripleycourt.com
37 Talbot Street
Dublin 1, Dublin, Dublin 1
Ireland
Tel: +353 1 836 5892

was
Charles Stewart Guesthouse
www.charlesstewart.ie
5-6 Parnell Square East
Dublin 1, Dublin, Dublin 1
Ireland
Tel: +353 1 8780350
E-mail: info@charlesstewart.ie
helen@charlesstewart.ie
hotel closed Dec. 26

Dublin Writer's Museum to Tuesday 12/27(Dublin)
http://www.writersmuseum.com/

Dublinia
http://www.dublinia.ie/

Wednesday, December 28: Transaction Code: VZVA3A1D97B6 Order ID# 1111353, pick up Dublin Tourism, Suffolk Street
Belfast, Drogheda, Monasterboice to Wednesday 12/28 (Belfast)
8:00 am - 7:00pm (11 hours) $63.70/each with Dublin Tours
http://www.dublintours.net/?event=offer.type&productType=AREA&mpt=9231

Thursday, December 29: VIATOR36464406, pick up Dublin Tourism, Suffolk Street
Cork, Blarney Castle, Rock of Cashel to Thursday 12/29 (Blarney)
6:50am - 7:00 pm (~12 hours) $90 each with Viator
http://www.viator.com/tours/Dublin/Blarney-Castle-and-Cork-Day-Trip-from-Dublin/d503-5299CORK

Friday, December 30: Landmark Tours 01 6770837, pick up Abbey Street LUAS Red Station
Glendalough, Wicklow Mountains, Kilkenny City, Kilkenny Castle to Friday 12/30 (Kilkenny)
8:45 am - 6:00pm (~9 hours) (€30) $43.08 each with Collins Day Tours
http://www.collinsdaytours.com/itinerary.html

Saturday, December 31

December 31
Aer Lingus #125
Dublin (DUB) to Chicago O'Hare International (ORD)
Departure (DUB): December 31, 1:00 PM GMT (afternoon)
Arrival (ORD): December 31, 3:30 PM CST (afternoon)
16 fg hk window

American #335
Chicago O'Hare International (ORD) to Austin-Bergstrom Int'l (AUS)
Departure (ORD): December 31, 5:45 PM CST (evening)
Arrival (AUS): December 31, 8:25 PM CST (evening)
Changed Nov. 6
Seat: 24B, 24D, 24E, 24F

Pictures and TravelBlog to Tuesday 12/27(Dublin) to Wednesday 12/28 (Belfast) to Thursday 12/29 (Blarney) to Friday 12/30 (Kilkenny)

Monday, December 26, 2011  

9:00 am Left the house, stopping at Shipley's to get the girls donuts.
11:00 am Stopped by Gracie's apartment
11:30 am Arrived at Austin Airport Fast Park and Relax, spot G54
12:00 pm At the United desk to check in for our flight. The agent noticed we had to transfer in O'Hare, and gave us seats as close to the front of the plane as she could, right behind first class. We got our boarding passes and got through security in a decent time.
We had food from Waterloo ice House, Wok and Roll, and Ruta Maya as we waited at the gate.
2:35 pm Our plane had arrived on time, but as SkyWest, the operator of our flight had only one ground crew, it was stuck on the tarmac until the plane at the gate could sort out bumped customers and luggage in order to leave. So not only did our flight not depart on time, we couldn't even board by the departure time. Time issues were compounded as we had to gate check our carry on bags... the overhead bins wouldn't even hold our restrictive Aer Lingus sized luggage... 22x14x8.
3:15 pm In the regional jet's seats 4A, 4B, 3C, and 3D, our flight takes off about 40 minutes late... which is not a good thing when headed to O'Hare in Chicago.
5:15 pm Missed our gate arrival time; we were about to land... but wound up with a long taxi to the terminal

5:35 pm Arrive at gate, but had to wait a few minutes for our gate check luggage before we could start our mad sprint from Terminal 2 to Terminal 5... which involved another security blockade, as O'Hare's train between terminals is not only outside the security area... but it is across the street from the terminals.
6:20 pm After getting through security, we arrived at Aer Lingus gate M5, and boarded shortly thereafter, taking seats 15 F-K on the right of IE 124's Airbus 330
7:15 pm On time departure

We had a wonderful flight crew, a great entertainment system, and a good flight. They served chicken or ravioli for dinner, and a ham and cheese croissant for breakfast.

    Boarding Passes
Tuesday, December 27, 2011  

8:08 We landed almost an hour early, due to a great tailwind. We got through customs very easily, and arrived early in the arrivals hall, so we had to wait a bit for our driver.
9:05 The driver we arranged with Suntransfers.com arrives, and gets us to his Hyundai van, and off to the City Center.
9:50 Arrived at the Ripley Court hotel only to find that they had not yet opened after the holiday. But the driver pounded the door and we were let in and allowed to drop our luggage and use the rest rooms, which the Irish call toilets. We bundled up, and walked down Talbot to O'Connell, and up toward our first stop. We passed by the Bed and Breakfast we were originally scheduled to stay in, the Charles Stewart House, and decided providence had been on our side when they transferred our reservation to the higher ranked sister property Ripley Court.
10:14 Arrived at Dublin Writer's Museum. The house was as grand as the displays, and admission included a great audio tour. €29.00


Dublin Writer's Museum
 
Dublin Writer's Museum

The Dublin Writer's Museum opened in November 1991 at No 18, Parnell Square; the museum occupies an original eighteenth-century house, which accommodates the museum rooms, library, gallery and administration area. The annex behind it has a coffee shop and book shop on the ground floor and exhibition and lecture rooms on the floors above.

In the two Museum Rooms is presented a history of Irish literature from its beginnings up to recent times. The panels describe the various phases, movements and notable names, while the showcases and pictures illustrate the lives and works of individual writers. Room 1 takes the story through to the end of the nineteenth century and the beginning of the Literary Revival. Room 2 is entirely devoted to the great writers of the twentieth century.

At the top of the grand staircase is the Gorham Library with its Stapleton ceiling. Here is kept the Museum's reserve of books, including rare and first editions and critical works. There are also displays of volumes from special collections.

   

11:45 Walked across the street to Candy Cafe for Mince pies and drinks. €10.80
12:15 Walked back to the hotel and checked into room 238.
Ripley Court room 238
You had to follow an odd passage on the 2nd floor to a little stairway with the door at the top. And while the room faced the street, and the train trestle with regular trains and trams, it was a great room with one double and three single bed, kettle, hair dryer, and TV.
We all unpacked, and having been up for 30 some hours, we took took a 2 hour nap before loading on the coats and heading out again.
15:00 We walked the half mile (1 km) to O'Connell and boarded the bus to Christ Church. I was handing the driver a €5.00 note for the €4.80 fare but was told they only took coins... but he took pity on we 'lost yanks' and he told us to jump on anyway.
15:30 Arrived at Dublinia, a Viking exhibit housed in an old church that is an annex to Christ Church.
We visited Dublinia in 2007, but this is an area of interest to Gracie, so we went again, and enjoyed the exhibits. €29.00


Dublinia and Christ Church, Dublin, Ireland
 
Dublinia, Christ Church, Dublin Girls at Dublinia, Dublin

Dublina closed at 16:30, and it was already dark, so we wandered north to the Liffey, crossed the Millennium Bridge, and walked to Four Courts... admiring the view of the Courts, the River, and the Grattan bridge, before heading back to the Ha'Penny Bridge.
Just north of the Ha'Penny bridge is a food court where we grabbed some fish and chips from Leo Burdock's, and Gracie got a stuffed potato from Lily O'Grady's. €22.85
Then we walked up to Lower Abbey Street, over to O'Connell and up to the Millennium Spire, where we crossed to Talbot street on our way to the hotel. We stopped at a Tesco Express and got some cookies and milk, and got back to the hotel. After the snacks and a bit of BBC tele, we hit the hay about 19:30.

River Liffey, and Four Courts

Christmas Decorations, and the food court were we had dinner.
River Liffey, Four Courts Dublin sites
   
Wednesday, December 28, 2011  
 
5:30 Full breakfast service didn't open until 7:00, so the hotel arranged a continental breakfast of juice, milk, cereal, and bread. we headed back to the room, bundled up, and struck out for Belfast.
6:20 We walked the mile (2 km) to the Tourist Office at 2 Suffolk street, arriving about 6:40.
6:50 The driver, quite a character who went by Cat, arrived in his Extreme Ireland 15 seat van.
We stopped after about an hour at a huge truck stop operated by Applegreen, for snacks and a toilet break.
Drum Castle
Drum Castle

After a bit, we arrived in Drogheda, passing an old battlement on a hill as we headed to see the head of St. Oliver Plunkett, enshrined in St. Peter's. But the church was closed, so off we went to Monasterboice.

We had been to Monasterboice in 2007, but it was well worth a return trip.

Monasterboice was founded in the late 5th century by Saint Buithe.
The site houses two churches built in the 14th century and an earlier round tower, but it is most famous for its 10th century high crosses.

The round tower is about 120 feet tall, but over time layers of earth accumulated so now the doorway is almost at ground level.

The 18 foot Muiredach's High Cross is regarded as the finest high cross in the whole of Ireland, named after an abbot, Muiredach mac Domhnaill, who died in 923 and features biblical carvings of both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible.

   
Monasterboice Monasterboice, near Drogheda, Ireland
Monasterboice, near Drogheda, Ireland Monasterboice, near Drogheda, Ireland Monasterboice, near Drogheda, Ireland
  Our driver, "Cat"
Monasterboice, near Drogheda, Ireland Cat, our driver, at Monasterboice, near Drogheda, Ireland

We had another toilet and snack break at a near identical Applegreen, and headed to the ProLeek Dolmen. A dolmen is like Stonehenge, a headstone over supporting stones.

Portal tombs date from around 3000 BC, and were built by Neolithic farming communities. Burials, usually cremated, were placed in the tomb and often accompanied by flint and stone implements, bone beads and pins, and fragments of coarse hand-made pottery. It is now considered good luck if you can land a stone on the top of the dolmen... and Gracie managed to do it.

Different sources give different estimations for the weight of the capstone, from 30 to 46 tons, and experts are still at a loss to explain how the ancients moved such a huge stone into position. While not as large as Stonehenge, it was worth the 40 minute round trip hike across a golf course (!) to get to it. Again it is not huge, but the age and mystery of moving such large stones was interesting.

ProLeek Dolmen ProLeek Dolmen

It was then off to Belfast, still part of the UK, where Cat drove us around the town. Cat pointing out the Catholic and Protestant strongholds, the Peace Wall, fences and gate that can be closed to divide the residents if unrest returns, the home of the now disbanded Ulster Constabulary, the headquarters of the English Army when in occupation, the graffiti walls, the Belfast Black Cabs, the Harland and Wolffe shipyards, the soon to open Titanic museum and Titanic tender ship, the art installations, the Opera House, Europa Hotel (the most bombed hotel in Europe, during the unrest) and the Crown Liquor Saloon. The Crown was a very ornate place in the 19th century, and still has the gas lamps and all the old fittings. We had lunch there, sharing Fish and Chips. Guiness Beef Pie, and Irish Stew in a private stall, off to the side of the throng. £29.85
Crown Liquor Saloon, Belfast Ireland
This picture from Crown Liquor Saloon
Crown Liquor Saloon, Belfast Ireland

Scenes from our lunch in the Crown, Belfast, No. Ireland, UK
Crown Liquor Saloon, Belfast Ireland Crown Liquor Saloon, Belfast Ireland
Crown Liquor Saloon, Belfast Ireland Crown Liquor Saloon, Belfast Ireland
Crown Liquor Saloon, Belfast Ireland Crown Liquor Saloon, Belfast Ireland
Above, gas lights and stained glass; Below, the Europa Hotel Above, exterior of the Crown; Below, Belfast Opera House
Europa Hotel, Belfast Ireland Opera House, Belfast Ireland
Examples of Belfast Graffiti, some is permanent, some gets painted over, and over, and over
Belfast Graffiti
Images from http://irishstreetart.com/2010/08/23/belfast-graffiti/ and http://weburbanist.com/2007/08/03/beyond-the-troubles-murals-of-belfast-northern-ireland/

Belfast Art, the scales are made of Belfast historical news stories

Harmony of Belfast
Belfast Art
Image from http://www.irishviews.com/belfast-waterfront-fish-sculpture.html

Harmony of Belfast
Image from http://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/publicart/default2.aspx?id=89


After lunch, in a stout rain and wind, we walked around City Hall in search of souvenirs, then returned to the bus.
City Hall Prince Albert Tower, the Leaning Tower of Belfast
Belfast, Ireland Belfast, Ireland

Our driver Cat was obviously bitter about the events of the past, commenting on atrocities by both sides, lamenting the continuing division but thankful for the fragile peace that was in place. But now it was late, so it was back to the Republic of Ireland, and St. Peter's in Drogheda.
Gracie on the bus Diane on the bus

About St. Peter's Church, Drogheda Ireland

 

St. Peter's Church, Drogheda

St. Peter's, Drogheda Ireland

Relic head of
St. Oliver Plunkett
St. Peter's, Drogheda Ireland
St. Peter's, Drogheda Ireland            The wonderful organ St. Peter's, Drogheda Ireland

Exterior of St. Peter's, Drogheda

Christmas Decorations in Drogheda, Ireland
St. Peter's, Drogheda Ireland Christmas Decorations in Drogheda, Ireland


After returning to the Tourist Information center near Trinity College and the former Parliament (now the Bank of Ireland), we walked to O'Brien's for a Toasy or four. €29.00
O'Brien's in Dublin

Then we walked to the SuperValu store on Talbot to get food for breakfast... as we had a really early start the next day.
Then onto the hotel for snacks and tele.

Former Parliament, now the Bank of Ireland

Thursday, December 29, 2011
Breakfast in room
6:15 Walk to Tourist Office
6:40 Board Extreme Ireland 18 passenger bus with Jarrod, a crew cut gent who could pass for a footballer, and a much more pronounced Irish lilt. A much more jovial guy, he still had a lot of great info during our trip.
8:45 snacks and toilet break at a rural gas station in Urlingford
10:30 Arrive Blarney Castle, a fairy tale setting that greeted us with a light rain.
Blarney Castle's history goes back to 1210 AD, but the present keep dates from about 1446.
The castle is now just the shell, but at the top is the Blarney Stone. Diane kissed it by laying down, grabbing bars, and leaning backward over a sheer drop of over 100 feet.... I don't think the thin iron bars they installed made here feel any more secure about falling.
This was the one time we wished we had more time... to tour the grounds more, but the time we had at the Castle was perfect.
Blarney Castle, County Cork Ireland Blarney Castle, County Cork Ireland
Blarney Castle, County Cork Ireland Blarney Castle, County Cork Ireland
Blarney Castle, County Cork Ireland Blarney Castle, County Cork Ireland
Blarney Castle, County Cork Ireland Blarney Castle, County Cork Ireland
Blarney Castle, County Cork Ireland Blarney Castle, County Cork Ireland Blarney Castle, County Cork Ireland
Blarney Castle, County Cork Ireland Blarney Castle, County Cork Ireland
Blarney Castle, County Cork Ireland Blarney Castle, County Cork Ireland
Blarney Castle, County Cork Ireland Blarney Castle, County Cork Ireland

The Blarney Stone

Blarney Castle, County Cork Ireland Blarney Castle, County Cork Ireland
Blarney Castle, County Cork Ireland Blarney Castle, County Cork Ireland
Blarney Castle, County Cork Ireland Blarney Castle, County Cork Ireland
Blarney Castle, County Cork Ireland Blarney Castle, County Cork Ireland
Blarney Castle, County Cork Ireland Blarney Castle, County Cork Ireland
Blarney Castle, County Cork Ireland
We then drove back into Cork, and walked the streets for a bit, looking for lunch.
 Cork, Ireland  Cork, Ireland
We grabbed Shepherd's Pie, Lasagna, and an Irish Breakfast at Kelly's. €47.40
 Cork, Ireland  Cork, Ireland
Then back to the bus. While quaint, Cork was easily seen in a short time..
 Cork, Ireland  Cork, Ireland
 Cork, Ireland  Cork, Ireland
14:10 Wait in the bus until 2:30, when the last two stragglers finally arrived... the driver said "the difference between a passenger and a hitch hiker is 10 minutes" as he was about to leave them. It was getting stormy, but it was time for our small bus to head to the Rock of Cashel.
On the mini bus On the mini bus

15:30 It was a full blown gale when we got to the rock in County Tipperary... horizontal rain and ominous skies. Jarrod said it could be quite serene on the rock, but in a way the weather was the perfect setting for this hill top church and defensive battlements. The monks gave it up after centuries, probably because of the weather and isolation.

The State is working to restore parts, but the huge walls without a roof stand as a reminder of times past. The site itself was the seat of the Munster kings starting around 370 AD, but the lands were granted to the church around 1101. The building of the cathedral, now in ruins, was started in the 13th century. We saw a nice audio video presentation out of the weather, but had to wander in spite of the elements.
Rock of Cashel, Ireland Rock of Cashel, Ireland
Rock of Cashel, Ireland Rock of Cashel, Ireland
Rock of Cashel, Ireland Rock of Cashel, Ireland
Rock of Cashel, Ireland
Rock of Cashel, Ireland Rock of Cashel, Ireland


The Rock of Cashel closed at 16:30, so we boarded the bus and headed across the bogs to Dublin.

18:30 Arrived in Dublin, and as we got off the bus near the Tourist Center, we noticed they were projecting 3D images on Trinity College, probably in advance of some New Years Eve bash.

Very odd sight seeing the white College now red, with gears turning and giant birds flying against the building.

19:00 Into Alikaboba for Donner kabobs €11.60

19:30 A quick stop at Tesco on the way back to the hotel, and we watched the tele and had snack as we wound down.

Friday, December 30
7:00 Irish breakfast, including fried eggs, hashbrown potato wedges, beans, sausages, and Canadian/Irish bacon, with juice, bread, cheeses, milk, cereal, and toast.
8:00 Walk to the Collins Bus Stop on Lower Abbey near O'Connell, to join the Collins Day Tour bus
Collins Bus Stop, Dublin Ireland


8:35 board the big tour bus, driven by Joe. Michael was our guide.

We made several stops working our way south, picking up passengers at other stops.

9:15 We were headed out of town, toward County Wicklow, the garden county of Ireland.

Our next stop was Glendalough, literally glen of two lakes, a beautiful area.

There was heather and bog everywhere, and the rain had started... a bog is soil over granite, so it cannot drain... so waterfalls were erupting everywhere.

The trees were covered with moss, and the mist made it seem like Brigadoon, with an old village appearing out of time... in this case founded in the 6th century. In the 10th and 12 century, they added a round tower, and the ancient St. Kevin's kitchen, still there to today..

Glendalough, Co. Wilklow Ireland Glendalough, Co. Wilklow Ireland
Glendalough, Co. Wilklow Ireland
Glendalough, Co. Wilklow Ireland Glendalough, Co. Wilklow Ireland
Glendalough, Co. Wilklow Ireland Glendalough, Co. Wilklow Ireland
Glendalough, Co. Wilklow Ireland Glendalough, Co. Wilklow Ireland
Glendalough, Co. Wilklow Ireland Glendalough, Co. Wilklow Ireland

St. Kevin's Kitchen, and Round Tower
 
Glendalough, Co. Wilklow Ireland Glendalough, Co. Wilklow Ireland
Glendalough, Co. Wilklow Ireland Glendalough, Co. Wilklow Ireland
Glendalough, Co. Wilklow Ireland Glendalough, Co. Wilklow Ireland
Glendalough, Co. Wilklow Ireland Glendalough, Co. Wilklow Ireland
Glendalough, Co. Wilklow Ireland


We were soaking wet, so we headed into the hotel and the girls had hot drinks.

After loading the bus, it was off into the changing countryside to Kilkenny. Kilkenny is situated on both banks of the River Nore in the province of Leinster, in the south-east of Ireland.

Kilkenny's heritage is evident in the city including the historic buildings such as Kilkenny Castle, Black Abbey, and the Kilkenny Town Hall.

Kilkenny began in the early sixth century; following Norman invasion of Ireland, Kilkenny Castle and a series of walls were built to protect the burghers of what became a Norman merchant town. William Marshall, Lord of Leinster, gave Kilkenny a charter as a town in 1207.

Cromwell knocked down one wall of Kilkenny Castle in the 1640's; since then galleries have been added on the inside for more living and entertaining space, but it still is missing one drum tower and that wall.

Kilkenny Ireland Kilkenny Ireland
We wandered down the medieval streets and found Lanigan's for lunch... where we shared bar snacks and a sandwich. €11.60
Kilkenny Ireland Lanagan's, Kilkenny Ireland
Lanagan's, Kilkenny Ireland Lanagan's, Kilkenny Ireland
Lanagan's, Kilkenny Ireland


We then headed back to the center, past old butcher shops down the winding streets, where we joined the guide at the Castle. He took us past the Parade Cross through the streets, past the Court House that used to be a jail, the City Hall, Market Cross, and then down the Butter Slip. In the days of the old market, this alley was shaded, and was a better route to move butter during the hotter seasons.

We passed through one of the old city gates and visited the Black Abbey, home of the largest Stained Glass windows in Ireland. Our guide then left us to our own devices, and we wandered the streets, finally heading back to the Castle; once there some of us watched a video on the castle, and others went shopping.

Kilkenny Castle is now in the hands of the Office of Public Works, and it is slowly regaining it's former glory.

Kilkenny Castle, Kilkenny Ireland Kilkenny Castle, Kilkenny Ireland

The castle viewed from the local of the missing wall. The interior rockwork is newer than the exterior and drum towers.
Kilkenny Castle, Kilkenny Ireland

The old stables are now a Design Center
Old Stables, now Design house, Kilkenny Ireland

Kilkenny Castle, Kilkenny Ireland

Kilkenny Castle, Kilkenny Ireland

The moat used to be connected to the river... it is mostly filled in by gardens but there are a few places where it still exists.

Old City, Kilkenny Ireland Old City, Kilkenny Ireland
Old City, Kilkenny Ireland Old City, Kilkenny Ireland
Old City, Kilkenny Ireland Old City, Kilkenny Ireland
Old City, Kilkenny Ireland Old City, Kilkenny Ireland
Old City, Kilkenny Ireland Old City, Kilkenny Ireland
Old City, Kilkenny IrelandOld City Gate
Old City, Kilkenny Ireland Old City, Kilkenny Ireland


Black Abbey
Old City, Kilkenny Ireland


St. Mary's
Old City, Kilkenny Ireland
Old City, Kilkenny Ireland Old Town Hall Map of, Kilkenny Ireland

Some of the places we wandered in Kilkenny

Ripley Court, our room would be just to the left of the Hotel sign
 

 

16:00 The bus left Kilkenny, heading for Dublin. Each bus tour ended the same way, an hour or three drive back to the city, and to pass the time they all played Irish pub music. By now, we were a bit tire of the same songs being played over and over..

17:45 Back in Dublin. We stopped to get a few more souvenirs at Carroll's, and had pizzas at Toto's on Talbot. €36.55

One last stop at Tesco, and we packed as had snacks and watched the tele.

We didn't have a lot of options on the TV, so our favorite shows at night were the game shows.


Saturday, December 31
 
 
7:30 Irish breakfast
Last minute gathering of stuff, and cramming bags shut.
9:50 Picked up by the same driver, this time in a Honda van.
10:15 At Dublin Airport. We went to the self serve machine and it spit out all but one boarding pass, so I had to go to the counter.
Cleared Irish security and spend our remaining Euros on snacks.
11:15 Cleared American Security and Passport control
13:00 Our Aer Lingus Airbus flight 125 took off, with us one row back of where we had been on the trip over... crew not quite as nice, and we all had trouble with the seat back system, but a non-eventful flight.
We had chicken for lunch and a scone for a snack prior to arrival in
Chicago.

3:15 pm arrive O'Hare, terminal 5, a few minutes early.
Off the the races, as we left the secure area to take the train to Terminal 3.

Not too much trouble with security, though Diane and Susann were pulled over... we go to the gate with more than an hour to spare... we again thanked providence for the change in flight... we originally had a 5 hour layover!
Boarding Passes
5:20 pm Board the AA Super 80, seats on row 24  
8:25 pm Heading for Fast Park, and some dinner. We saw some fireworks near the river in Downtown Austin as we headed to Magnolia in SoCo for some 3 Alarm tacos, etc. After dropping off Gracie at her place, we headed to the nearby Holiday Inn Express on I-35, dead tired.
11:00 pm we toasted the New York New Year with Dick Clark and some sparkling grape juice, and stirred just a bit as the new year hit Texas.

What a great trip.