British Isles Tour - Day Eight Dublin, Ireland

Dublin is both the largest city and the capital of the Republic of Ireland.  We started our day by visiting Avoca Village and Avoca Woolen Mills, which is the Ireland’s oldest weaving mill founded in 1723.  

We took a tour of the mill where they first showed us many of their beautiful and colorful items made in this mill. 

 Larry and Doug look so dapper in their woolen caps.

 

We then took a tour through the mill where they showed us how the gorgeously dyed wool yarn is hand woven. 

 It was amazing seeing all the strings and set up they go through before they start the weaving.

 Then the weaver uses both the paddle with his hands and the pedals with his feet to make the whole process happen.

The whole place is whirling with activity.  Think about this all going on since 1723!

This woman has been working here for years.  Her job is to fix any flaws in the fabric.  Every square inch goes across these lighted tables so that nothing goes out that isn't perfect.

We all thought this was so interesting.  This sign has five clocks from different part of the world.  It says:  "From this little village of Avoca, nestled in the Wicklow mountains, in a mill that has been running since 1723, we ship to every continent in the world.  America, Canada, Mexico, Australia, Russia, India, Japan, China, South Africa, Middle East, and of course, all of Europe."  Amazing!

 

 We all got a kick out of this.  The woman who took us through the mill sat outside after our tour, and Doug sat down beside her.  He noticed she had a rash on her arm, so he started trying to help her and give her suggestions.  So thoughtful!

 We next started our drive to Glendalough (the glen of two lakes) National Park.  Along the way, we saw beautiful immaculately kept farms.

 We arrived at St. Kevin’s Monastery, which has extensive ruins with a stunning natural setting in the Wicklow Mountains.  The beauty and tranquility of the lakes and glacial-carved valley no doubt appealed to St. Kevin, a hermit monk, who founded the monastic site near the Lower Lake in the 6^th Century.  Most of the buildings that survive today at Glendalough date from the 10^th through the 12^th centuries. 

 

 Our guide showed us the cross indented into the rocks.

 Remnants of the old cathedral.

Headstones and grave markers

This cutout area actually contains a basin where they washed the sacred vessels.

 Joyce beside a basin used for religious ceremonies.

 

 Many more headstones surrounded the cathedral.

 

 Note the Celtic Cross.  Our guide informed us that the Christian monks combined the sun-god idea with the Christian cross to broaden the appeal to Irish pagans.

 

 St. Kevin's Church.

Walking up the path to the Round Tower of Glendalough.

 This is considered by many to be the most finely constructed and beautiful towers in Ireland.  

 The tower is divided internally into seven stories by timber floors, connected by ladders.    

 

In medieval Ireland, round towers served as beacon/landmarks to guide pilgrims from afar.  They served as bell towers, storehouses, lookouts, and places of refuge in times of attack.  

The door (which is straight above Beverly's head and looks like a large rounded window) is about 11 1/2 feet from the ground, which is commonly believed to be a defensive practice where those being attacked raised the ladder from within.  It would then be pretty difficult for attackers to get that high up to enter after the ladder was pulled up inside.

It is still in near perfect condition even though it is almost 1,000 years old. 

After we visited the ruins, we then walked and then drove to see the upper lake and lower lake.

 

It was a steep climb, combined with a lot of wind to get to the top of the mountain where we could overlook the valley and lake below, but was it ever worth it!

On our climb up, we walked through fields of heather which reminded Joyce of her daughter, Heather.

The greens on the one side of the mountain cannot even be described except through a picture.   This is one of the most photographed locations in Ireland.

 The beach on the northern side is bright white sand imported by the Guinness family whose estate runs through part of the Lough Tay area.  

This is hysterical and knowing Doug as I do, he won't mind me posting this (which by the way, I didn't take--it was my husband's doing!)

Doug had to go to the bathroom so badly which made our tour guide exclaim, "There are no facilities around here!"  That didn't bother Doug at all.  He just hopped out of our van and headed for the bushes.  It's funny that the yellow lights are marking the exact spot where he is standing.

 No, he's not praying.  He's just saying, "Hallelujah!  Relief at last!"  So funny!

We then drove to Powerscourt Estate, which is a large country estate noted for its house and landscaped gardens, today occupying 47 acres.  The house, originally a 13^th-century castle (had at least 68 rooms), is now a popular tourist attraction.

 

  The scene where Edmond Dantes hosts a part of his inauguration as a Count was filmed at Powerscourt Estate in the movie, The Count of Monte Cristo.” 

 

 We toured some of the rooms, but spent most of the time in the gardens. 

 

Powerscourt House and Gardens (particularly the woodlands) were used extensively to shoot the film Ella Enchanted.

We especially loved the Japanese Gardens.

After again having a fantastic day, we headed back to the ship.  The show that evening, after our dinner, was “Boogie Wonderland,” with the Stars of Infinity Singers and Dancers.  We were sad to leave Ireland!

Tomorrow:  My favorite day!   Visiting Liverpool, England