that looked like we should turn right and instead wanted us to go straight. So, made a u-turn and found the correct turn and the parking lot.
Got a pleasant surprise when we arrived at the ticket counter - today entry was free! Nothing is free in Ireland! And, we had the services of a tour guide. Nice man, made the experience worth it. He had some really interesting information about the history of the rock and St. Patrick's Cathedral located there. A lot of rennovations are going on as water has damaged much of the stone work.
The way back also found us missing a turn again. I wanted to take the southern route into Thurles so we could stop at their shopping plaza to see what might be there. Another u-turn and we were headed to town. The plaza has a free parking garage (wow, 2 free things in one day!), that's quite a nice feature in a country where there is a premium on parking. The plaza was basically two long corridors with about 30 shops.
We had a nice lunch of seafood chowder and brown bread. Quite a large size portion as well. Tried a few shops and didn't really see too much. Then off to Upperchurch and the pub for some wi-fi time. And who did we see there? Maggie had called Kasey and Eric and they and 2 of Maggie's local relatives were at the pub just finishing lunch. So we had a nice visit and spent some time on the computer.
Kasey and Eric had found out that a local hurling club was having practice and that they could join in. They were very excited to give this new sport a try. Also a bit apprehensive as the skill level looks to be quite high to be decent at the sport. They were then going to Kinnane's afterward to play some cards and drink. We stayed at home, got some more clothes washed and had a nice dinner. I also took time to download all the Ireland pictures we've taken from both my camera and Cindy's iPhone onto my laptop computer. Now they are all in 2 places. I also went through and found about 100 images for which it would be nice to have pictures made up right away to share with people. I think tomorrow after we check in at the airport hotel I'll upload them to my Wal-Mart account and have them printed. Hopefully they will be ready when we get home Friday evening.
We leave Dublin at 11:00 a.m. local time Friday and arrive in Boston 7 hours later at 1:00 p.m. local time.
Then we have a layover which is good since we have to clear customs. Our flight to Rochester leaves at about 4:55 p.m. and arrives in Rochester at 6:20 p.m. For us, it will seem like 11:20 p.m.!
I would like to get to Wal-Mart that evening after we get home if the pictures are ready. We'll see how tired we are. We will probably be too excited to sleep for a while. Oh, then there's that driving thing. I'm OK with driving on the left, waiting to make a right turn, and figuring out round-a-bouts. I just have to be much more tuned in to what I'm doing. On the round-a-bouts, they have so much information displayed including showing you which exit you need to use to follow your route. Most times if you are continuing straight on, it's the 2nd exit. A left turn would be the 1st exit and a right turn the 3rd. And they are quite convenient if you have to make a u-turn. Just go to the 4th exit! The trouble comes when there are more than 4 exits or 2 round-a-bouts back to back. Then, someone watching the signs is a must.
Shown here are various shots from the Rock of Cashel and, at the end, a typical round-a-bout sign.
All for now. Next up, Clarion Hotel at the Dublin Airport. The plan is to leave about 9 a.m. tomorrow. I'll drive since Kasey and Eric will still be tired from a long night out....again! No problems until we get near the Airport. It's all interstate until then. Finding the Clarion might be the tough part. Kasey and Eric still have almost a week left in Ireland with lots of plans.
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