Glenmacnass Waterfall
Posted by groo on 19 Aug 2010 | Tagged as: Fishy
On Tuesday, after Glendalough we drove through the mountain pass roads, until we came upon the mighty Glenmacnass waterfall. There were some people gathered at the top, and some whisky barrels, but no evidence of people going over the falls in them.
“It’s not Niagra, but it’s the best we can do for you, Bill.”
–Tommy
Brittas Bay
Posted by groo on 18 Aug 2010 | Tagged as: Fishy
Martine and I had a couple of hours to ourselves on Tuesday, so we headed out to Brittas Bay, just north of Arklow.
We also took a quick video of the beach. Watch closely, there’s something at the end you might miss.
Tuesday
Posted by groo on 18 Aug 2010 | Tagged as: Luck of the Irish
With weather prediction skills like this, how could they have missed the coming of the potato famine?
FINALLY, we’re at Glendalough
Posted by groo on 18 Aug 2010 | Tagged as: Pillaging
Apparently Irish eyes are always smiling. Tommy invites me to step back into the 6th century at Glendalough. Martine argued it was the 8th century, but teh interwebs say otherwise.
Early medieval monks settled this picturesque area in preparation for being beaten and killed by wave after wave of Vikings.
We wandered the grounds during a light drizzle. Seeking the occasional 6th century comforts.
Such as soft-serve ice cream.
Besides the Round Tower, St. Kevin’s Church (above) is one of the main sites of interest.
When the Vikings would attack, monks would hide in either the Round Tower (above) or other structures throughout the site. Considering how often this occurred, this makes either the monks or the Vikings very, very stupid.
“Hooray for Cillin Chaoimhín” just doesn’t have the same ring to it
Posted by groo on 18 Aug 2010 | Tagged as: It SOUNDS Gaelic
Then again, you might counter, it also doesn’t have Mel Gibson. Alas, that sign’s in nearly the exact spot they filmed Braveheart.
Later, on the way to Glendalough…
Posted by groo on 18 Aug 2010 | Tagged as: Luck of the Irish
On the way to Glendalough
Posted by groo on 18 Aug 2010 | Tagged as: Fishy
We began our Sunday journey north to Glendalough (GLEN-duh-LOCK for you ‘mericuns) with a brief stop at a holiday home for some anonymous Dubliner. Tommy insisted it was named the Fairy Castle, but I didn’t ask, and it didn’t tell. Not even when I walked around the property snapping photographs. Tommy generously offered to drive away without me should the Gardaí come along.
The traditional gift for the 59th wedding anniversary is…
Posted by groo on 17 Aug 2010 | Tagged as: Marital Bliss
…a scruffy foreigner.
The happy couple celebrated with two of their granddaughters.
The President of the club was gracious enough to strike a presidential pose during the event, notwithstanding his relation to the husband and wife.
Three Wixted Women. Okay, one had a choice.
A Walk on the Beach
Posted by groo on 17 Aug 2010 | Tagged as: Exercise, Fishy
(click on images to see a larger size)
Sanie and I took an ambling southerly walk from the South Quay.
These three fishing boats have been abandoned long enough that a notice has been put in the local paper announcing that unless they’re claimed, the town will have them destroyed.
These three are still in use.
We continued our stroll down the south beach, which is fairly rocky. In the distance you can see a RoadStone quarry, beyond which lies Clogga beach.
As you can see, there’s very little sand on the beach the day we were out, but it varies from this to sandy depending on the tides and the time of year.
After hiking south around the RoadStone quarry, we arrived at Clogga Beach and a view that practically screams “Ireland”.
We sat on rocks and watched the Irish Sea before heading back north towards Arklow Golf Club, which stretches out along the south beach.
Once inside the secret back gate we walked the length of the course to the club house and enjoyed a pint.
