On the road out of Galway about 9:30 a.m. We were in early last night from our day of walking, so we are rested and ready to go, anticipating a sunny day.
Hmmm....that sunny day disappeared within the first hour!
And within the next few minutes, it poured!!!
No particular town nor location, just a beautiful Irish village.
Our destination is Adare, Ireland, reputedly the "prettiest village in all of Ireland" and also known as the "wedding capital of Ireland"
Note the number of Abbeys and the years they were built
If you are the "prettiest" and the most romantic and one of the most historic....then you, too, would have a line of traffic which stretches for half a mile!!!! No wonder I had a hard time finding accommodations here!
Pretty flowers, colourful buildings.....yes, we have seen a lot of those in Ireland....
AHA!! Here's another reason Adare is so popular!!!!
These are NOT the same kegs!! The building colour is different. But they ARE next door to one another....all 3 of these pictures are in the SAME block....and it is a short block!
The Holy Trinity Abbey was built in the 13th century by the Fitzgerald family for the Trinitarian Monks. King Henry VIII badly damaged it in the 16th century and it remained vacant until it was restored and enlarged in the mid 19th century.
A large wedding was taking place a few minutes after these pictures were taken.
The rain has stopped, the sun is out and we eat lunch outside..
We were able to watch the parade of wedding guests go by while Kathy played fashion critic.
The prettiest little town in Ireland had to have thached roofs on cute cottages.
and bright colours.
Call me a skeptic, but I seriously doubt it. But just in case.....
Lots of bright colour in Adare.
Just a sampling of non-thatched roof houses in Adare.
We make it to our home for a one-night-stand.
Looks like Kathy scored again.
This is the Adare Manor, situated on 840 acres. It was purchased by a very wealthy NY Irishman, Thomas F. Kane, in the 80's. He completely restored it, built a golf course around it and has hosted the Irish Open for the past 10 years. Room rates here are in the $700/night range. Even the rich think it is too expensive.
The Augustinian Abbey was built in 1315, sits on the grounds of the Adare Golf Course!!! Much like the St. Andrews golf course, one can walk this course to view the Abbey. We didn't do so since it was so visible from the road. Obviously, it has not been restored.
The Adare Creamery started in the early 1900's and now houses a tea room and gift shop.
Many of you have seen the miniature Christmas Room which my mother made. I walked in here and was flooded with memories of my mom; shopping for miniature pieces, taking delight in each little thing she purchased, needlepointing various rugs to go in the houses/rooms she built.....here's to you, Grandma Joan!
We were able to get dinner reservations at our second choice, but not until 9:15 PM.
Check out all the culinary awards.
Bar, waiting area, reception....call it what you will, it was a pleasant way to start the evening. The menu is brought to you so that, when seated, you are served quickly.
Kathy is repeating her new favourite: fried goat cheese....
Tom is repeating his favourite: seafood chowder...
Kathy is repeating another favourite: lamb...and this is, by far, the best
Tom repeats another favourite: salmon...
And since it is the 44th celebration of my bride's 25th birthday, a little birthday treat.
Good night, all.
