The Streets of Dublin, Ireland....A Vibrant City

Gelato....I love this city.

I won't lie.  I wasn't too excited about heading to Dublin.  After the incredible time we had in Galway, with a comfortable small city ambiance, I didn't want to get lost in a big city.

But Dublin is not 'just' a big city.  It has a great vibe.  With street performers, music, double decker buses, funky people and a great hostel....Abigail's.

We have had the great opportunities to meet other travels here from Spain, France, (a lot of French speaking people in Dublin), Mexico and Canada.  Incredible.

A family of talented street performers.  I believe it was their Mom who was doing some Celtic dancing while the kids played.  We didn't get a great shot of her...but the kids were fun to watch.

I am imagining the statue in front of the huge oblique is saying "Are you serious.....5 million Euros it costs us and it isn't dedicated or significant in any way?  I am throwing up my hands!"

The Pedestrian only street....flower markets.  We don't have enough of these great streets in Ontario.  No worries about cars or the sounds or smells of cars.  Just people walking around, shopping, visiting, playing, or just enjoying the fresh air.

Hmmmm.....what do you think he might be saying?  "I need a gelato."

A Michael Jackson look-a-like?  No it is Phil Lynott, an Irish singer and musician.  He was with a group called 'Thin Lizzy.'  One of his famous songs, was his 70's version of a Traditional Irish folk song, "Whisky in the Jar."  But his hit in 1976 with his band, Thin Lizzy, was "The Boys Are Back in Town."  He is remembered here in Dublin, his hometown.

We came upon a photo shoot on one of the less busy streets.  Is it Miranda Kerr?  No...but very pretty with incredible cars to hang out in?

Irish Whiskey shop....for those who would.  It is huge.

There was a great little cafe on the pedestrian only street.  It only looked little.  Inside it was very spacious.  With two levels and was quite crowded when we arrived.  We were fortunate enough to get a wee table for two on the street side with a view of the happens down below.  Fantastic.

Yummo desserts too.

Of course Deb would have the Bailey's Irish Cream cheesecake....we are in Ireland you know.

Pear and apple tart.....I have no words.

Artistry in the Flat White Coffee.....steamed milk with one shot of expresso.  Possibly better than a cappuccino.  But check out the creature drawn on the whipped milk.  A dragon?

Street performers enjoying playing as much as we enjoyed listening.

"In Dublin's Fair city,

Where the girls are so pretty,

I first set my eyes on sweet Molly Malone,

As she wheel'd her wheel barrow,

Through the streets broad and narrow,

Crying cockles and mussels alive, alive o!"

Molly Malone sold cockles and mussels from her wheel barrow in the 17th century in Dublin.  Her song has become Dublin city's unofficial anthem.

James Joyce a Dubliner was a very famous novelist and poet.  His famous works included 'Ulysses.'  He was considered one of the most influential writers of the 20th century.

My very own little 'famous' Leprachaun...wee Deb and her onsie's.  

All Aboard!!

Sad to say good-bye to the beautiful island of Inishmore.  Back on the ferry, which I hadn't noticed was shaped more like a speed boat.  After a bit of a wavy trip back to the mainland, we are back in Galway until we head to Dublin.  Our last stop in Ireland.

Beautiful sunset begins on the bay.

The Incredible Grey Heron in Ireland

As we were hiking up to see the cliffs, we spotted some white birds in the ivy that was overhanging on a rock face a ways from where we were.  Again, neither Deb nor I have great zoom in capabilities on our cameras but we did manage to capture some magnificent Grey Herons who are nesting on this island.

We could see probably 10 at least.  They tend to nest in February in Britain and they were definitely paired up.

When it is resting, a heron will stand with its long neck folded deep into its body.  That is why we didn't recognize it at first.  They appeared to be hunched over.  But when they hunt, their neck is out, long and very tall, and they stand perfectly still until they strike.

This would be a mature Grey Heron as the juveniles do not have the long breast feathers that you can see very clearly on this handsome lad.

They have a wing span of 1-2 meters wide.  We did see them leave their nests and find food and return.  It was quite impressive to see.

More Cliffs of Aran Island

Deb and I can never get tired of the spectacular wonders of water and land mass.  These are cliffs on the same side of the island, a little further south, called Dun Duchathair.  Or as the locals know the area as the Black Fort.  We could see the Black Fort, but on the path we were hiking on, you might need to do some serious 'rock climbing' to get there.  Thus we stayed on these cliffs and took pictures of the tremendous waves that were crashing into the cliffs.  Unbelievable...and a little scary the force of the Atlantic.

A light rainy drizzle began and then out came this beautiful rainbow.  I love this picture of me that Deb took on top of the cliffs.

But does anyone see the pot of gold???  Must be hidden under some of these rocks.  I will keep looking.

Friendly Wildlife on the Aran Islands

Not one single sheep on the island of Inishmore?  I couldn't believe it.  I thought I might get 'more' photos up close and personal on the island.  But it wasn't meant to be.

That left great opportunities for Deb and I to make other friends with the friendly 'wild life' in the pastures of Inishmore.

Cows are everywhere here.  In the pastures, on the edges of the cliffs, and in the front yard of some homes?  So many different colours of cattles.   Right in this picture below we have the very black Angus cattle with what I think might be the Ayrshire cows.

It is that time of year here...for babies.  Baby lambs everywhere on the mainland, and here, baby cows. How cute is my other bff?  He spotted me long before I saw him.  Keeping his eyes on me the whole time.

Adorable wee fella.  Not sure what kind, but I believe his Mama might be the same as the ones above, the Ayrshire cow.

Debbie also made friends....with a couple of 'Jack Asses.'  

Actually, this Catalan donkey was at risk of becoming extinct.  It seemed quite happy and content in the quiet fields on our hiking path a few days ago.

Because it has a buddy....a wee white with brown spotted donkey.  A Standard Spotted Jack is the breed of Deb's new friend.  He walked right over to her.  She promised that next time we are on the island, we will bring an apple for him and his dark buddy.

Going To The Birds on Inishmore

I have realized that I am a 'Closeted Bird Watcher.'  Not so closeted now...two bird books later and I am a REAL bird watcher.

All birds are beautiful to me.  I could definitely work for National Geographic...as I can sit for hours waiting for the perfect shot.

My wee bff  the Robin...now following me on the island of Inishmore.  Look at his little mouth, he is still singing.

I believe these are Pale-bellied Brent Goose.  These fellas migrate from Arctic Canada arriving in October and leaving in April and can be found in Ireland and western Scotland.

This wee bit came out of the ivy that was covering a home....scared us.  It is a Woodpigeon.  Often seen as a pest, I thought it quite pretty.

I am having troubles distinguishing what bird this is?  I have found similar looking birds in my bird book, that are called Leach's Petrel or Storm Petrel.  They are quite a hardy bird, living most of their lives out at sea, heading inland during severe gales.  It says that they are rarely seen on land, except to return to their breeding ground at night to avoid predators.  Awesome for us.

Ok...I love this little guy and he keeps popping into my photos....I told you that he loves me.  I'm not kidding.  This is actually him still singing to me in a wee bit of a drizzle in the quiet pastures in Inishmore.

Camera shy Oystercatchers.  Not very clear from this photo, but their eyes are red berry coloured.  Really kind of creepy.....yikes.

Cliffs 300 feet up? Are We Nuts?

Our very first day in Kilronan on the Aran Island we decided, because it was gorgeous out, to take the 10 Euro minibus tour of the island.  We were glad we did.  

The driver gave us two hours at the Dun Aenghus fortress with spectacular views of the cliffs on the Atlantic side of the island.

Two hours....lots of time...not.  Unknown to us, it is about a 20-30 minute hike up to the fortress.  But we are definitely ready for it.  It was a glorious sunny day in Ireland....

We started with rock climbing to get over the gate.

And then we followed the 'Wall to China' which is what this pathway looks like to me.  Again, tons of rocks everywhere.  Not a tree up here.  We could literally see cows that were high on the cliffs with our naked eye, as there was nothing obstructing them.

The last 500 feet is probably the most difficult.  Very steep, with rocks jutting out and quite slippery when wet.  Look at Little Debbie go.  Out of control.

Deb looking back at the hike we just did.  Awesome views.

This is Dun Aenghus fortress.  It is made entirely of stones and hangs precariously on the edge of a 300 foot high cliff above the Atlantic Ocean.  It is 2000 years old.  

The thickest walls are 13 feet wide.  The highest point is 10 feet high.  

Much of the fortress is here to see, but huge chunks, about 1/4, has fallen into the ocean as the waves erode the cliffs below.

We are very close to the edge...it just ends.  No fences, no wires, no signs, just no land ahead...or below.

Debbie was a wee bit too close for my liking but she did get some amazing shots.

I am way passed my comfort level here for this picture....however, there is no wind today.  Very few people.  Just a quick photo op and I am back in the 'cow patty' land away from this edge.

End of our hike back and Deb still has energy to climb back over the gate.  Not sure why the gate doesn't open?  

A bit of a 'blooper' photo of me....about 20 feet away from the edge of the cliff trying to get a shot.  I slowly made my way a bit closer.  But always safe.

Below....if you can make out the two wee gals who are resting on the ledge above the cliffs?  That is where Deb and I took our photo above with the cliffs behind us.  Looks impressively scary but it really isn't so much when you get to where those gals are.

Awesome experience.