Ireland
What comes to your mind?
Famous for: Guiness, shamrocks, Westlife, potatoes, the Nolans, leprechauns, Ryanair, Primark (as Penneys) The Corrs, etc It is also about division, as we think about Northern Ireland and Eire and the troubles.
Excursion 1 - Here we are in Northern Ireland, after another early start at The Giant's Causeway which we can tour. The first tour is an American led tour designed for children, but I think gives some good information.
This second viewing gives a bit more information.
It was a bit blustery down at The Giant's Causeway, but hope you have recovered your puff after a steep decline and pull back up the hill.
Anyway here we are at Belfast. This is an up and coming place with lots to inspire you. The tours here are many so you are free to select whatever you want to see and enjoy either walk throughs or 360 degree tours:
After travelling a bit more let us stop here at the craft and folk museum, Glencolmcille Folk Village, and explore a little of Irish life, history and enjoy its remote coves and the sea.
Seamus Justin Heaney was an Irish poet, playwright and translator. he is now widely studied by students of English literature at degree, A-level and GCSE levels. He received the 1995 Nobel Prize in Literature. Among his best-known works is Death of a Naturalist, his first major published volume. Heaney is very much recognised as one of the principal contributors to poetry during his lifetime. It can be a love it hate it relationship but as teh student studies mores and passion for learning increases Heaney opens a door on to life, particularly Irish Catholic life.
There are so many famous and well known Irish bands, so I have chosen Westlife and this catchy, You raise me up. I am sure you will enjoy it.
Finally, we arrive in Cork, Molly Malone's city:
Cork is a beautiful ands walkable city where I am told you will find everything. I hope your appetite is whet!
Before we adjourn and put our feet up for a while enjoy a close encounter withe city gaol.
Evening Entertainment
We could not leave Eire without Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance, a modern take on Irish dancing, so sit back and enjoy our trip to the theatre.
On that high, may be some calmer Irish harp music before we retire for our final night. It will be another early start as we make our way back to Wales and eventually home.
The Celtic harp is a square harp traditional to Ireland and Scotland. It is known as cláirseach in Irish and clàrsach in Scottish Gaelic. In Ireland and Scotland, it was a wire-strung instrument requiring great skill and long practice to play, and was associated with the Gaelic ruling class. The harp was always the symbol of Irish people of their country and of their pride.
Creator God,
We have seen so much rugged beauty today,
We have heard such lyrical sounds and defiant beats today,
We have known the scents of Spring,
We have heard the sea rhymatically drawing in and out, out and in.
Father, Son and Holy Spirit who loves us so very deeply.
May there always be work for your hands to do.
May your purse always hold a coin or two.
May the sun always shine upon your window pane.
May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
May the hand of a friend always be near to you and
May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you. AMEN (traditional Irish blessing)
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