Dublin, Ireland 11-14 July

Met Ben at Dublin Airport, I left Mel to look for Ben while I sort out a public phone to ring them...she said...how will I recognise Ben Mum, I can't remember him...easy I said...look for the guy who can't fit under the door frame who looks like Dad, but younger and with more hair. Sure enough as soon as I turned away she yelled...Mum he's here!

That morning Ben and Joyanne took us on a country tour past the location of Ballykiss Angel out to the stunning village of Avoca. This place has a cafe that people flock too...infact they have cloned it elsewhere in the world and produce sort after cook books. There are also the traditional hand weaving looms where mohair is woven into lovely throws, scarves and clothes. We finished the day with a stop at a berry farm and bought a strawberry plant for Ben, punnets of strawberries, raspberries, tayberries and gooseberries...YUMMMMM!!!!

Our time with Ben, Joyanne, Grace (4) James (2) was wonderful. Very lucky to stay with them in inner city Dublin where we could walk into the city centre easily and access the free Dublin Bikes. Had a ton of fun trying to keep up with Ben (just retired professional rugby player) riding around the city. He kept telling us we were too slow!!! Ben showed us lots of sites and I have to agree with travel guru Michael Palin, there is nothing better than having a local to show you around. We saw all the magic places, U2s recording studio, Trinity College, the homes of James Joyce, Oscar Wilde and others, Molly Malone's statue, Guinness factory, churches (or as Ben says ABCs...another bloody church) Georgian architecture, the colourful Dublin doors, Dutch architecture. We did a tour on a 'Viking Bus' which came complete with an Irish Comedian as the driver, who made us roar at people on the streets, especially those on their mobiles, this was a lot of fun!


Had a fantastic view of the city from the Guinness Factory viewing tower, and could see Landsdowne Stadium, home of Ben's rugby. We could also see Croke Park, a stadium the size of the Gabba and home to Irish Football. It was here that we had one of our 'magic moments' in the Great Adventure. As we walked past there one morning, 2 officials got out of the car with the Sam Maguire Cup, the 200 year old solid silver trophy. when Ben recognised it I went up and asked for a photo and they said yes! So that is the cup we are holding in the photo.

On the Tuesday, we had a bus trip out to Naas where Bill Gibosn (Mary Clare's Dad) met us and did a fabulous tour guide trip for us back to 2 Mile House. We stopped in Kildare to see St Brigid's Church. She is Ireland's less known patron St. This church had a fire pit with the eternal flame burning for 200 YEARS until the infamous Henry the XIII had the flame extinguished as part of the Reformation. In the church grounds stands a Round Tower, which the Celts built so many centuries ago to save their precious goods and people from the vikings. It is like a Rapunzel Tower, where a ladder was extended to the ground from up high and would be pulled up to ensure the Celts were safe under Viking attack. Mel and I climbed the tower and I have a new respect for Celts! We also stopped at the Curragh where Bill showed us the army grounds, golf club and local surrounds. I think Bill should be a tour guide, his historical knowledge is second to none!

Our days in Dublin and surrounds were precious. We loved staying with the Irish Gissings and especially love Joyanne's cooking. Ben's tour guiding was pretty amazing for footy player too! Great to have dinner with the Gibsons. Thanks Mary for a lovely dinner and Bill for the tour. Thanks to John, Rob, William, Deidre, Sanjay and the kids for coming to see us.

Just a note for future - I will not do the Guinness Factory before I get on plane again...can not afford to leave passports at Ben and Joyanne's again!!

We must come back and see more of Ireland!