Back to Dublin

Saturday, 26-Sep
Today was a sad day indeed, it was goodbye to Arnold's Hotel and Dunfanaghy, and off to Dublin.

Before I detail our Dublin day, I do need to update from last night. Derek and Gerarda Arnold, the owners and operator's of Arnold's hosted drinks and dinner for us, Helen, Niamh and Clair last night. It was a wonderful evening of talking, and stories, and friendship. Derek told us how Helen came to be running the stables (for the last 12 years!). He also told the tale of Paddy Dan Rogers - the King of Tory Island. Yes - the Tory Island you may or may not be able to get to or from has its own king.

Back to Saturday. The McGinnley bus ride was uneventful other than the cows being herded across the road, and then up the other side.

We said goodbye to Maureen, Cyndi and Liane at the Dublin airport and continued on into the city. We caught a cab to our new Dublin residence - Staunton's on the Green. Its a beautiful old Georgian era townhouse - and the room is huge and backs onto a garden, with St. Stephen's Green directly across.

We dumped the luggage and went walking, ending up at the National Museum (archeology). Thank goodness we did, as it is closed Monday, and tomorrow we are going to the races! We say Neolithic, Bronze and Iron age Irish history and pieces, as well as the Bog Men. These are bodies ranging from 400BC to about 400AD found preserved in Irish bogs. Apparently the acidity, temperature and other conditions are perfect for preservation.

We are now back at our hotel for an early night (we were up at 6a) and some Strictly Come Dancing. Tomorrow we are off for Ireland's richest day of racing at The Curragh!