Irish Trip Part Deux

Friday, 18-Sep
I decided to take the DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit) out to see Malahide Castle. First I had to hit Starbucks...the right size coffee and a straw!

Malahide Castle was originally built in the 12th century by the Talbot originally granted the lands by Henry II. The Talbot family lived there for almost 800 years, adding on to the Norman tower, and only briefly displaced during the Cromwell era. The last Talbots was Milo, who died unexpectedly in 1973 without issue as they say, and his sister Rose, who sold the estate to the Irish National Parks Board in 1975 and retired to another family estate in Tasmania. She never married or reproduced, and died at age 93 in February of this year.

The castle grounds are huge, with footpaths through the park, and jogging trails, playgrounds, GAA and cricket fields. It was really cool, and worth the trip out. In fact, Malahide won an award for 'Tidy Town'.

Once back in Dublin, I realized that I may have severely underestimated my need for Euros, so tried to get more at the National Bank of Ireland, where I was essentially met with blank stares. What-ev. Dinner, an evening stroll, shopping, and on the way back to the hotel, overheard this exchange between a man and woman at the bus stop 'here we go...fighting in public again'. LOL!

Saturday, 19-Sep
Finally off to Dunfanaghy. Essentially a 5 hour bus ride from the SE to the NW of Ireland, with lots of beautiful scenary along the way. Brief rain squall in the middle, but sun upon arrival.

Dunfanaghy is just like any of the sleepy seaside tourist towns you've read about. 1 main street with a few shops. I of course, headed straight for the stables. I am currently scheduled to ride 'Voodoo', but have also been offered the ride on 'Big Trevor'. We'll find out tomorrow, when we ride for the first time.

I'm very excited to finally (!) get to ride...I am having severe horse withdrawals. One additional note: the all Irish Championship for GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association - Irish football) is Sunday - Kerry vs Cork. Its huge everywhere you go here, people and places in one set of colors or the other. I believe I am rooting for Cork...the red and white!

Now that I know we have net access here, I'll try to update daily.

MB