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We arrived early Friday morning and spent the day strolling the area and seeing Ireland for the first time. It was a very nice day but we had a bad case of jetlag, so we didn't to take our camera with us. We saw Bunratty Castle and ate at Durty Nelly's Pub for lunch and dinner. We woke up from our nap and were hungry. It was sunny outside and we asked the hotel desk where to get something to eat. She said many things were closed but pointed out Durty Nelly's, among other places, where we could eat. We checked the time and it was after 10pm and still broad daylight.
| (No Friday Photos) |
| Saturday Photos |
| Today
we visit Bunratty Castle and Folk Park. Folk Park
is a reconstructed 19th century village with thatch
roof houses, farm animals and much more. Bunratty
Castle was originally built in 1425 and faithfully
restored in 1954. Particularly interesting were the
tight spiral stairs as the only means of moving
room to room and the deep dark pit which was the
dungeon. We explored the castle on our own, and
came back later in the evening for an authentic
medieval banquet complete with fair maidens singing
and dancing to medieval music and serving us guests
mead and food.
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Sunday Photos
Today the rest of the group arrives and we meet them at the Shannon airport. We take a bus to Killarney, check into our rooms at the Great Southern Hotel where are baggage awaits us in our rooms. We take a trip out to the Muckross House and Gardens, built in 1843, which is now the centerpiece of Killarney National Park. We got a very good look into what 19th century life was like for the very rich people who owned this house.
Sunday night there was a reception and dinner at the Killarney Park Hotel. It was a very fancy evening, starting with appetizers and drinks for us in the private library/lounge rooms. Then a four course dinner was served in a private room of the restaurant.
Monday Photos
Our day started with breakfast in the hotel, then we climbed aboard the tour bus around 9:00 a.m. Our guide, Deirdre, told us history, current events, and described the sights along our trip to the Beara Peninsula. The scenery was beautiful... ten times as beautiful as the photos show.
When we reached the sea, we boarded a boat and took a ride around the area, ending at Garinish Island.
This island was owned by a wealthy family who later turned it into a public garden. It was fun exploring and seeing the beautiful plants and flowers.
We enjoyed a pleasant lunch at the posh Sheen Falls Lodge. After lunch, we relaxed in the beautiful area behind the hotel, where a peaceful waterfall flowed.
After lunch, we stopped at the village of Kenmare, where we enjoyed strolling around the shops. Back in Killarney, we enjoyed great food at Gaby's Seafood Restaurant, and the usual late-night Summit Group gathering for chat after that.
Tuesday Photos
Daytime Tuesday was an "open" day for everyone to do as they pleased and the Summit Group members took a trip to visit Blarney Castle, site of the famous Blarney Stone. The stone is believed to have the power to bestow eloquence on all those who kiss it. The stone is built into the battlements at the top of the castle, and you must lay on your back in order to kiss it.
Tuesday night was a reception dinner for some later arriving Watkins Associates. As part of the dinner, Watkins honored associates Bob & Doris Battern and Doreen & Jim Marxen---both couples were using the trip to celebrate reaching their 50th Wedding Anniversaries during 2003.
After dinner, we were entertained by Irish dancers accompanied by two young men playing fiddle and accordian.
Wednesday Photos
After breakfast Wednesday, we enjoyed a fun day on a tour of the Gap of Dunloe, among the mountains of southwest Ireland. Even though we had been told that it rained almost every day in the Killarney area, we somehow missed it completely. We rode in horse-drawn jaunting carts over the mountains through the Gap of Dunloe, then had a barbeque lunch, and then rode in skiffs through three lakes to Ross Castle. Later that night we had an impromptu party in the hotel bar with Jerry on the piano and everyone joining in for song and dance. The bar quickly filled and everyone had a great time.
Thursday Photos
Thursday was jammed packed, starting with an early morning train ride to Dublin---the train station was right next to our hotel, so we had no bus ride to start the day! In Dublin, our tour guides showed us Trinity College including the historic illustrated manuscript called the Book of Kells and the amazing library which words can't describe (and no photos were allowed). We then toured the Guiness Brewery storehouse, followed by a fantastic lunch and a tour at the Jameson Whiskey distillery.
Then we had a little time to relax in our rooms at the Westbury Hotel, a five-star hotel in the heart of Dublin's shopping and entertainment district. Like the hotel in Killarney, this was clearly top-notch (it's on the list of the Leading Hotels of the World, and the rooms in which some of us stayed were listed at approximately $500 U.S. per night). For example, instead of the plastic drinking cups you get with Motel 6 kind of lodging, the Westbury had a shelf of cut-glass crystal.
But, in case anyone thought that wasn't elegant enough... we then had dinner at Luttrellstown Castle which Watkins had rented just for us for the entire evening!
Friday Photos
Friday during the day was "open" for all of us to do as we pleased. Some of us went on an optional tour to gardens at Wicklow, several hours away. A large group of Summit Group associates ate lunch at a pizzeria. Then some of us walked around Dublin and visited several historic churches while other enjoyed shopping near the hotel. Jan and I, along with Kelly and Jenny, strolled the streets and did some shopping.
In the evening, we went on a mini-pub crawl. A "pub crawl" in Ireland is where you go to one pub and have one drink, then go to the next pub for the second drink, and so on. We were introduced to two pubs by a couple of great Irish musicians. They played songs for us at each pub, and explained the history of Irish music while we enjoyed drinks and appetizers. They were great fun!
(No Saturday Photos)
Saturday it was time to go home..... everyone was too busy saying their Goodbyes to take pictures.... but we're all left with excellent memories of the vacation of a lifetime.
We hope to see you along on future Destiny Builders Trips! It is something you'll never forget.