Kiki Nakita: June 2018

Friday, June 29, 2018

32nd Birthday in Ireland

Good afternoon my dears,

Around the same time we were planning our trip to Ireland for my 32nd birthday, we found out several other friends of our were also going to be there around the same time. Our friends Vicky & Paul, and Autumn & Daniel. What a coincidence! Also a coincidence, author Susan Branch celebrated her seventy-first birthday in Ireland this year too, which you can read about here.

Susan Branch, at Beatrix Potter's Garden in May, 2018

The Green Hen

Delicious dining in Dublin, Ireland

Dublin
We were so fortunate to be in Dublin during a heat-wave, with sunny 70 degree days.

Dublin Castle

Dublin Castle is one of the most important buildings in Irish history. From 1204 until 1922 it was the seat of English, and later British rule in Ireland. During that time, it served principally as a residence for the British monarch’s Irish representative, the Viceroy of Ireland. [1]

Just your average tourists.

Clontarf Castle Hotel

We stayed in this charming historic castle from 1172. George Frederick Handel, the composer, was also a regular guest of Clontarf Castle.

The Dark Hedges

Our attempt at a selfie. We need practice as you can see.

Carrick-a-Reed

One of our favorite places in Northern Ireland.

It is said fishermen, fishing for Atlantic salmon, first erected a rope bridge here more than 350 years ago. My maternal Welsh ancestors were fishermen, so maybe that's why I always enjoy the coastline so much.

Cory discovered a cave to go and explore.

Giants Causeway

40,000 basalt columns, dating back to the volcanic age around 60 million years ago.

Trying to balance.

Dunluce Castle
Built on the dramatic coastal cliffs by the MacQuillan family around 1500. The lady of the castle was hosting a dinner party one night and noticed none of the servants had come to serve dinner. So she sent a staff member to go and check. The staff member came back to tell the lady of the castle that the whole kitchen had fallen into the Atlantic Ocean. Shaken up, the family left shortly after and never looked back.

32nd Birthday Dinner

Dressed up for dinner at Fahrenheit Restaurant.

Hill of Tara
The stone of destiny from the Neolithic era, is where high kings were inaugurated in Ireland.

There's a lot of mythology and folklore surrounding the hawthorn tree, also known as the may tree. Supposedly fairies meet here, and bad things happen to anyone who tries to cut it down, so they grow everywhere in the Irish countryside.

Bective Abbey

Founded in 1147, the abbey and its estate lands were confiscated during the dissolution of the monasteries in 1530. It was also used for scenes from Braveheart.

Trim Castle

Ireland's largest Anglo-Norman castle, with beautiful views of the River Boyne. It was also used for scenes from Braveheart.

Loughcrew

This hill may not look that steep, but our legs definitely got a good workout. This is an area of great historical importance, as its home to a group of megalithic tombs dating back to the 4th millennium BC.