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Dublin, Malahide and brothers

Richard's older brother had told us a month ago that he and his friend were coming to Dublin for a weeklong spiritual retreat. They would up in Dublin so we couldn't see them until their retreat was over. As Dublin is far, and petrol is expensive, we decided to combine their visit with a trip to the Wild Atlantic Way, aka County Donegal. I have wanted to see it for months. Had to book Mitzi in with a new pet sitter as her usual one is on holiday herself but, that accomplished, we set off on a cloudy Tuesday morning. By the time we reached Dublin though, the sky was blue and it was a beautiful, hot-for-Ireland (25º C, 82º F) day. 

 We met up with Alan and Virginia at the hotel and they SQUEEZED into the back of our Fiat. Luckily it was a 10-minute drive to Malahide Castle. It is every bit as beautiful as the Internet photos show. We took the tour through the Castle, what a fascinating history. One family, the Talbots, owned the castle for 800 years. The last of the family died in Tasmania in 2009. The castle is beautifully furnished with Talbot furniture and artwork. The panelling dates back centuries. And the gardens were lovely as well. 

 Alan is a real history buff, as am I, so after the tour we sat in the garden with our phones Googling all of the history of the family and the monarchy in Ireland. We laughed over the names of some of the ancient conquerors--some were quite naughty, referring to their appearance or behavior. Of course I have forgotten it already except for bits and pieces. 
The Brothers Ackroyd with glasses

And without

Entrance to Malahide Garden
Castle steps











110 year old bathroom














Banquet hall and haunted minstrel's gallery
There was even a butterfly pavilion



We left Malahide in the late afternoon and headed over to the hotel we had booked for the night, Finnstown Castle. Alan and Virginia had dinner with us there in the bar--a so-so meal with indifferent service--and we drove them back to their hotel. We had such a lovely time with them
Although the hotel (part of it below) looked very lovely, in the end it was a bit of a disappointment. Various reasons that I won't bother to go into. On the morrow it was off to the Wild Atlantic Way--Co. Sligo and Co. Donegal!



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