County Kildare, The Irish National STUD Gardens

 Colonel William Hall Walker established The National Stud Gardens in the 1900's.  He believe you could tell how successful a horse could become on the racetrack by knowing their birthdate.  The grounds are quite pretty with flower gardens, water falls, serene bridges and lots of places to just sit and enjoy the countryside.

 Our tour explained how important breeding (covering) was throughout Irish history.  Currently their top stallion is Invincible Spirit.  Invincible Spirit was seeking protection from the rain so not in the picture.  He has fathered many champion racehorses around the globe.  At auction his offsprings can sell for millions!

 I'm sure the gardens would be prettier if you were lucky enough to visit on a day when it wasn't windy and rainy...though that's quite a trick in Ireland.  Though I did see a fairly sunny day in pictures when Queen Elizabeth was visiting.  She's a lover of horses, has been her whole life and has been here multiple times.

There's a nice gift shop and tea house to enjoy after your tour.  The hot pot of tea was just the ticket in an effort to dry off and warm up before heading back to our Insight Tour Coach.

St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin Ireland

 Eli Dillion

 George Bernard Shaw, known for many things, but I especially like several of his quotes:
"Life isn't about finding yourself, life is about creating yourself."
"Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds can't change anything."

 James Clarence Mangan

 Jonathan Swift

 And more

 Honored in St. Patrick's Park (Cathedral).  So many gorgeous old cathedrals throughout the country.

 Oscar Wilde

 Yates........so many influential people.  What a lovely way to honor and remember them in this pretty park.

A bit dark, chilly and windy as you can see how wind blown I am in the foreground.  Some of my travel companions walking about behind me.  We managed a few minutes here between the rain drops.  Would have been nice to spend a bit more time and read all the memorials, and enjoy the flowers on a prettier day.

Map of Travels, Dublin post I
Trinity College, Dublin and The Book of Kells

Trinity College, Dublin Ireland

Despite our being on The Trinity College Campus in Dublin, Ireland as part of a tour group with Insight Vacations and a local guide, there were really campus type activities going on.  These tent areas are for what they call Freshers Week.  Each area was set up so student could learn about activities and social clubs on campus.

I thought the students must think it odd, to see so many tourists day after day on their campus.  But, I suppose you get used to it after awhile.

The top of the gate/arch.  Gorgeous old buildings.

The arch, as you can see is quite large.  AND look how green the grass is, we were in Ireland after all.  A cool, windy day, as you can see from the sky.  Weather doesn't seem to stop people in Ireland from being out and about.  After leaving the campus area, we walked and toured more in the area via our coach. 

Pop back in, as we tour a beautiful park that pays homage to some of the Literary Giants who hail from Ireland.  And if you missed the previous posts about this Irish adventure, please click Here for a Map of the entire tour.

Trinity College, Dublin and the Book of Kells, part I

 The Brian Boru Harp or Celtic Harp which is the official emblem of Ireland.  This is taken in the long room at Trinity College in Dublin.  Trinity College was founded by charter by Queen Elizabeth in 1592.  The oldest part of the library was built between 1712 and 1732.  This is one of the world's great research libraries holding the largest collection of manuscripts and printed books in Ireland.  This harp is the oldest to survive from Ireland and they believe it dates from the fifteenth century.

 The ceiling looks like a ship.  Each section is marked by a bust.  The books are not filed alphabetically by title or by author, but by size.  Since the shelves go floor to ceiling the largest books are the first layer and with each new layer/shelf the books become smaller with the very smallest at the top.  You can see how that gives them the ability to house more books.

 One view of the very tall shelf unit.  You could get a noise bleed climbing the ladder to get a book at the top.

Another view of the books.  Can you smell how musty the place is?

The library and campus get lots of visitors.  Tickets are required.  Prior to our touring the library, we had a local guide (a student) give us a tour of the campus.  The local tour guide was lined up by our tour company, Insight Vacations.

Touring Ireland and Scotland

This is a map of our travels through Ireland, North Ireland and Scotland.  Counting the day to travel there, and the day to travel back, this was a 15 day tour with Insight Tours.  The tour started in Dublin, then went south and then traveled along the coast, upward through the Ring of Kerry, northward again on the coast, inland a bit to Limerick and back to the coast, northward to Sligo Bay.

On day 9, we left Ireland crossed into Northern Ireland only briefly though.  Spent one night there and then across to Scotland via a ferry from the Port of Larne, docking in Cairnryan, Scotland.

In Scotland you can follow the path northward, along the coast often up to Inverness before heading southward to Edinburgh.

We traveled approximately 6,925 air miles, 25 ferry miles from Northern Ireland to Scotland and if the map I plotted on line is right maybe 4,000 ish in our jaunting around?  I need someone better with maps than me to look at it.

Our tour guide, Robbie with Insight Vacations is a walking encyclopedia with information.  So much history, hard to absorb it all.  Really enjoyed ourselves.

We book our airfair using rewards points to help with the cost, and didn't fly business class.  I would have preferred to do that.  Hubby can sleep anywhere, I find it hard.  Plus would have been nice to get feet up, but...we thought we'd give it a try.  Might also have been nicer to arrive a day early to rest before starting the tour, but when you do that, you don't get your transportation from the airport to the hotel.

Trying to re-start my travel blog, it's been soooooooooo long since I've posted.

Vacationing Could be a Walk Away.

 Been ages since I've posted on this blog, life has been entirely too busy.  A little kick start from a mini type of travel.  Over The Labor Day Weekend we attended the annual UA Arts Festival.  Spotted this unusual flower that requires no watering, no fertilizers, and no weeding!  AND it's made of re-cycled stuff.  Click to enlarge and take a look.  I love how at a time when things are turning drab in the yard with flowers gone I can still have a flower blooming.

Last year, at the same Arts Festrival I added the little bird sitting on a robin blue egg, and the year before that....my Martini Drinking Toad.  These are positioned such that I can see them well from my kitchen window over the sink so I get lots of enjoyment from them.  One lone yellow Stella De Ora trying to photo bomb my yard trash...lol

There are many different types of travels, some are close at hand, right in your own neighborhood.  Look up your cities calendar of events and take in these little mini vacations.  This art festival is within walking distance to our house, so we got exercise (anyone else a fitbit junky like me?), saw neighbors, supported our local arts department and brighten up our garden.

Basilica De La Sagrada Familia, Barcelona Spain

 Hubby and I in Barcelona, Spain sitting in the park in front of the famous Basilicia De La Sagrada Familia.  La Sagrada Familia translates into "The Holy Family".  The gorgeous church/cathedral was consecrated on November 7th, 2010 by Pope Benedict XVI and declared a minor Basilica.

In 1882 this phenomenal project was begun by architect  Francisco de Paula del Villar.  He was replaced just 1 and half years later by Antoni Gaudi'.  Gaudi' worked on, rather dedicated his life from that point forward, until his death in 1926 to his "client, God".  At the time of his death in 1926, when he was hit by a tram, it was only 1/4 completed.

There have been slow and slower periods in it's completion.  Though work has always continued following Gaudi's plans and designs there many obstacles in the way.  The church has been totally funded by donations, which weren't always in abundance.

 There were very slow periods due to lack of understanding of Gaudi's theroy's.  He believe all art should mimic nature and be without straight lines and right angles.  There was sabotage during The Spanish Civil War, which broke out in 1936.  Revolutionists set fire to the crypt and burned the temporary schools, destroyed the workshops, plans, drawings, and some of the models used to carry on Gaudi's work.

 After The Civil War ended in 1939, areas destroyed were restored and work continued.  Click to enlarge and notice the different shapes, sizes, and colors of columns.  They are to resemble trees and a canopy above letting sunlight in. Again, the importance of nature.  The crucifix hangs as if suspended above all, lifting towards heaven.

 In the years since Gaudi's death there have many architects and sculptors involved with the continuation of the work.  This has caused some speculation and controversy that they maybe following their designs and not Gaudi's.  Experts are divided on that point.

 There have been controversy's regarding a proposed high speed rail from Barcelona to France, and or Barcelona to Madrid.  I list both, as I found articles regarding both.  The high speed underground rail could interfere with the stability of the Basilica due to it's proximity stated as one concern.

 Gaudi' was a very devote man, once going 40 days without food during lent.  He is buried here at The Basilica, where he devoted so much of his life.  Though difficult to see, if you look towards the middle of the picture where the candles are on the floor; that is his grave.

 A plaque showing a close up of his final resting place.  He has such a following, there is movement to have him made a Saint.

The story of Christ's life is depicted in very detail sculptures around the outside of facility.  Front and center is The Nativity, the story of his birth.  Gaudi' was so passionate about his work, it is said he once had a donkey hoisted on a crane up beside the area being worked on, so the sculpture could truly be accurate.  Another story indicates he visited the hospital and watched deaths, not to be morbid; but to capture when the soul left this earth and met The Holy Family.  He used passions such as these to create.  This is one of the examples why some feel his work cannot truly be carried forward; others are interpreting his passion.   This lush Nativity Facade

is in stark contrast to newest, very modern, Star Wars/comic and grim Passion Facade.  This cause perhaps the biggest controversy of all.  Thinking of pictures, sculptures you've seen throughout your life of Jesus on the Cross, has he not always been covered?  And yet, The Bible tells us he was stripped of his garments.  Some felt this vulgar and disrespectful.  If you scroll back to The Crucifix inside the Basilica, you'll note while Jesus is in-fact uncovered, Gaudi' had his knee's bent.  It's believed that was his way to show his respect.  This Passion Facade was completed by Josep Maria Subiraehs.

I've read "Art" at it's core should cause people to talk.  With that in mind, perhaps the controversy isn't a negative component.

"A church is the only thing worthy of representing the feelings of a people, for religion is the highest thing in people", Antoni Gaudi'

The grounds are open without charge, while entrance tickets are needed.  Many people pass by the opportunity due to the lines, and or the cost.  I encourage you to take the time, spend the money and do tour both the grounds and the inside.  We went yet a step further and had a private guide, Patrick Ducher; whom I highly recommend.  He got us to the front of the lines, knew how to get in and out of the traffic of people.  His driver dropped us in front and collected us when Patrick called to say we were departing.  Driving there, or trying to park truly isn't possible.  Don't short change yourself.  It is breathtaking, both spiritually  and architecturally. (I've linked to awesome reviews of this tour service, and the webpage).

Tickets were 12.50 Euro's a piece when we were there.  Around $18.00 US and worth every penny!  2 Million people visit annually, these funds along with donations keep this marvelous project going.  Currently, the projected completion date is 2026.

Blogging a-z in May, my focus is Spain Click the drop down box to leave your name and url of your blog post, not profile page.