ST. PATRICK'S CATHEDRAL

St. Patrick is one of the best known people in Ireland. There's a lot of churches and cathedrals dedicated to him. Also in Dublin and that's the one we wanted to visit - St. Patrick's Cathedral.

I came with my friend Tomaz. We waited for one more friend from Extreme Ireland, Dewald. When we entered the Cathedral we were nicely accepted by our guide Shaun. He's very friendly and very educated and informed about the Cathedral. Of course he told us about the history of cathedral first and then he took us around. He explained the history of each interesting artefact and it's history behind. We could see that he really enjoys in his work. He was explaining with such an enthusiasm that was fun to listening him. One of the funniest stories was about Jonathan Swift who was a dean in this cathedral. He wrote a book "A sermon upon sleeping in Church" and you can imagine to whom was it dedicated to.

He also showed us his grave and after that were accepted by the person who took us to the cathedral tower. We felt really important because lots of people don't have a chance to go there. We were walking in narrow corridors where Jonathan Swift used to walk. We saw all the places under the roof and finally also the tower, from where you have a great view to all the city.

I would like to thank Shaun for a great guiding. St. Patrick's Cathedral is one you have to visit.

Andrej

Visit Passage Tombs co. Meath Ireland

Visit Passage Tombs co. Meath Ireland

ST. PATRICK'S CATHEDRAL

St. Patrick is one of the best known people in Ireland. There's a lot of churches and cathedrals dedicated to him. Also in Dublin and that's the one we wanted to visit - St. Patrick's Cathedral.

I came with my friend Tomaz. We waited for one more friend from Extreme Ireland, Dewald. When we entered the Cathedral we were nicely accepted by our guide Shaun. He's very friendly and very educated and informed about the Cathedral. Of course he told us about the history of cathedral first and then he took us around. He explained the history of each interesting artefact and it's history behind. We could see that he really enjoys in his work. He was explaining with such an enthusiasm that was fun to listening him. One of the funniest stories was about Jonathan Swift who was a dean in this cathedral. He wrote a book "A sermon upon sleeping in Church" and you can imagine to whom was it dedicated to.

He also showed us his grave and after that were accepted by the person who took us to the cathedral tower. We felt really important because lots of people don't have a chance to go there. We were walking in narrow corridors where Jonathan Swift used to walk. We saw all the places under the roof and finally also the tower, from where you have a great view to all the city.

I would like to thank Shaun for a great guiding. St. Patrick's Cathedral is one you have to visit.

Andrej

CORK AND BLARNEY

Our journey to Cork started at 6:50 when we met on the cosy bus. Our driver Joey amused us all the time with Irish songs, stories and different comments. Maybe a leprechaun was tickling him all the time?

After a short coffee break we stopped at The Rock of Cashel where we had 40 minutes to discover it. It is really breathtaking building, where you can see St. Patrick's cross, Hall of Vicars, Cormac’s chapel, Celtic Cathedral and the round tower.

At 12:30 we came to Blarney castle which is surrounded with beautiful gardens. Castle is very big and it gives you good opportunity to discover it. It has many rooms and of course famous stone. I kissed it and received Gift of the Gab. I also didn't forget about the caves under it. After 1hour and 40 minutes we went to Cork.

In Cork we spent an hour and a half. I visited The English Market where I bought something to eat and went to Saint Finbar's Gothic Cathedral. I decided to enter although I don't like to pay entrance fee for churches. I wanted to visit also St. Anne's Church but I didn't have time anymore. I'll visit it next time. It's good to leave a reason to come back again.

                                     

It was 7pm and we came back in Dublin - right on time. I'll remember this day for the castles and singing Joey :)  www.irishdaytours.ie

BELFAST

At 8am, not so early in the morning, we met on the bus for Belfast. Around two hours later we came in Belfast where we stopped to see "The Peace Wall". We made some nice pictures of graffiti where each tells its own story. Of course we had to sign our own name on it as well. Then we continued our way to the Republican Museum. After all the stories we heard on the way to Belfast this was the strongest one, because we could also see prison artefacts and prisoner’s handy craft.

We went to visit Harland and Wolf shipyard where is also the museum dedicated to famous Titanic. Then we had an hour and a half to visit city centre, City Hall and Belfast Christmas Market where we could see and buy various things.

Our next stop was Downpatrick where we visited St. Patrick's grave, Down Cathedral and Saint Patrick Centre where we saw a short film about his life. We stopped also in Dundrum, where an amazing Norman Castle from 13th century is located. We climbed on its tower and enjoyed the really great view.

Last stop was at The Mourne Mountains where our guide showed us gravity hill, which is a very perplexing thing to see.

Tired from a long and interesting day we came back at 7pm, where we all went our own direction.

www.irishdaytours.ie

GIANT’S CAUSEWAY

This tour started already at 6:30 am, so we all came still quite sleepy. Our driver introduced himself and told us the itinerary for the day. After a long drive we came in Northern-  Ireland, where we had our first coffee break.

 Next stop was at Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, which was unfortunately closed because of too strong wind. We decided to go to take a look at it anyway and we didn’t regret it. The bridge is magnificent. I still wanted to go over it, even though the wind was too strong!

Then we finally arrived to Giant’s Causeway, where I spent all the time we had to take pictures. I know that nature is amazing, but it still amazes me.

On the way to Belfast we had a quick stop at Dunluce Castle for pictures. When we arrived we had an hour to explore Belfast city. Most of us visited Belfast Christmas Market and tried out some goodies.

After two hours of driving we came back in Dublin at 7:45 pm. A trip was amazing, even though it was a long day with strong wind. I would say this is one of the “must see” tours.

CELTIC TOUR BLOG: Hill of Tara, Trim Castle, Loughcrew tombs, Drogheda

After a nice chilly bike ride from Clontarf we arrived at St. Andrews church a bit before 8 am. Our tour guide Jim welcomed us and shortly there-after we departed from Dublin for our first stop at the Hill of Tara, where the Irish High Kings have had their ritual gatherings. Just next to the place one can see a tree with decorations which point out a still living superstition among the Irish people, called a fairy tree.

At Trim Castle we got to know that cleaning your masters ass after… wasn’t hardest job in medieval times. Our tour guide at the castle welcomed us in the full metal jacket of a medieval soldier!  Only his chain mail weighs 22 kg already!

From the site of the ancient passage tombs of Loughcrew we have enjoyed a beautiful view on abandoned potato fields which lied on neighbouring hills.

On the way to Drogheda we stopped at Slane Castle for a picture. Within the castle there is a place where since the early 80’s famous rock concerts are being held. 

Our last stop was Drogheda where we got to know more about Oliver Plunkett and the infamous Crommwell’s Irish campaign of 1649.

It was a short day out, but full of historical sites.