Day 3: Glendalough, Dublin and Abbey Tavern
Trip Start
May 11, 2007
1
3
9
Trip End
May 19, 2007
Glendalough, Leinster, Ireland
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Once there we were taken inside the guest center where we saw a quick film and were able to walk around and look at some of the informative displays. Some of Glendalough's original high crosses are kept inside the display center to slow the deterioration process and models of the crosses are outside in the origional's place.
Afterwards we were taken on a narrated tour of the site where a nice guide told us about the history of Glendalough and pointed out some of the most famous crosses on the site.
We were then left to explore on our own for a time. I really love the old high crosses and took tons of pictures of them. The countryside surrounding Glendalough was also very pretty and there were sheep roaming around. We spent atleast another hour walking around and taking pictures.
Afterwards we were taken back to Dublin where the rest of the afternoon was at leisure. We got dropped off in city center. We walked around Dublin and did some more souvenir shopping. We also went to find the Purcell street since that is our last name. It took quite a bit of time to find the street. Its a tiny alley near the shopping center on Grafton Street. We walked in circles trying to find it and even had trouble with a map. Once we found it we took some pictures and then headed back toward the Temple Bar district for a bit.
We went to St. Patrick's Cathedral to take a walk around the grounds and take some pictures of the church. When we got there a mass was going on so we didn't get to go inside.
Afterwards we went back to the hotel to take a nap and shower before going to the Abbey Tavern for dinner. The ride from Dublin to Howth takes about half an hour to forty minutes depending on traffic and goes through some pretty sea-side landscapes. We had been to the Abbey Tavern on our last C.I.E. tour and thought the show was amazing.
Just as before they had a fire going inside the pub burning peat-logs that has a wonderful smell. We were seated as a group right upfront near the stage. Our first course was Cashel Blue Cheese salad. I really love their salad and the house dressing isn't bad either. For the tours a selected meal is prepared, it was a fish dish. I do not like fish so I was able to ask for the vegetarian option which was Cheese Ravioli. The restaurant was very accommodating in that respect. Everyone was enjoying their meal. For dessert there was Baked Apple Pie and Fresh Cream.
After everyone had eaten and the dishes cleared away the show began. I have to say that this show was not as good as the first one we saw at the Abbey Tavern. There were the usual step dancers and house band that performed but they show didn't have as much lively music to it. It featured more singing and slower songs. Overall it was a good dinner and show, I just liked the first show I saw there better.
