Leighlinbridge Oldest functional bridge in Europe

No not this. It's Ha'Penny Bridge, wonder why they called it the Hapenny, I guess, during the olden days if you want to cross from the south side to the north side you need to pay a penny for crossing. I am just kidding. Anyway, you can goggle a little if you interested in this bridge. As usual, like most European destination bridge, you see hundreds of lock stuck in there by tourist.

This is it, reputedly one of the oldest functional bridge in Europe. Below the castle lies a priory dated back 1270. No we didn't see the priory, I bet there lots of evidence of Carmelities presents in this part of the world. Because the bridge is built during 14th century.

If you really look at the picture, you notice the architectural buildings and bridge decades apart except the river still flows the same. Bridge is 14th Century, the house is early 18th century, the pyramid building is 21st century. However, the large antennae dated back 1980's.

 You wouldn't have give a second thought if you in this village or passing through. The road is small, just enough for 2 cars. If one car park at the road side, you will be stuck or waiting for the other traffic to ease. 

Many famous people born here, Cardinal Patrick Francis Moran, third Archbishop of Sydney, John Tyndall, prominent 19th century physicist, Myles Keogh, American Civil War military, fought in Indian Wars and was killed at the Battle of the Little Bighorn in 1876. The family of Brian Mulroney, former Prime Minister of Canada. Even the meteorite landed here in the late 1999. If you visiting Ireland, make it a list for the place you want to see before you die.
  

As usual, no matter which village I stop, I never leave before getting a nice piece of steak. But this butcher is very special, he still retains the chain curtain and most of all its the only butcher I ever see in Ireland that sells home produce free range beef and lamb. No, I am not going to talk about how the beef like. I do it when I gather more family butchers around the country.

 The buildings with lots of windows was once a warehouse and office for barley and malt storage, and this river plays a very important role during the 17-18 century. They delivers all the booze raw materials to Dublin.

You would be surprised to see such a sign board. this is Gaelic, the real Irish language. I bet you be in for a big surprise if I said, this is a 4in1 shop. Its not just a local grocer store, its a convenience store with, bar and bookies..lol  You can put a bet and watch the horse race, meantime, enjoying a pint of Guinness  get yourself a sandwich and on you way back, tell you wife you go get a milk.....

I know its hard to read, double click it and expand. While I was reading this plaque, my mind was wondering back to the dark ages. I felt myself there except, I can't wait to get back to grill my yummy steak.... Have a good day folks.

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Sally Gap

Sally Gaps

I have always fascinated by the Irish nature trail although I am not a keen mountain walker but I like the heights. Getting there from Dublin airport takes about an hour of scenic drive. 

Trust me, you wouldn't want to drive up there during the winter season. Sally Gaps are consider one of the top 5 scenic drives in Ireland. Although the drive is straight forward, actually it is a long and winding road. 

Dublin Mountains

On the way up just pass Rathfarnham lies a beautiful spot that you can take some nice scenic shot of Dublin.

Travelling the mountainous road have to be extra careful as the road barely fits 2 cars, so try to enjoy the scenery. After all we want to take so nice landscape pictures.

It rare to see such a beautiful arrays of colors except dry summer with a plus from the sun rays shining to certain spot. No wonder, They choose this place to make the movie called Braveheart.

To be consider one of the top 5 scenic route in Ireland really live up to its name. Hardly to have 2 car space at some hidden corners.

You really need an eye for colors if you drives by the corners, the beauty of Ireland are always around the corner.

Sometime, you wish to carry a compact camera. Why? because when you standing at the edge of a slope which hardly have enough space to stand to capture a nice angle with your heavy gear, trying to adjust the depth of field ended up shaky or blur...Even a camera phone do a good job.

Genuine Free Flow Ales, sometime you wonder why Irish Beers, Cider, Ales or Stout are colored about the same as this river.

If you are new to this terrain, please be careful as the sign isn't that visible, a sudden slip you all the way down and no turning back. Never ever go near the slope when its wet....I came back with a nightmare after realizing how dangerous it was. I don't feel a thing when up there.

Its not surprise some of the GPS won't show you the Sally Gap, cos it up in the wilderness. An out of date won't do you any good. Watch out on mountain sheep. They could pop up in front of the round at the corner, go slow.

The Irish called this Fraughan slang(Freckin), type of blueberries grow on wetland top of the mountain, You be able to collect lots of them between last week of July and early August...Just about Galway Racing.

The wonderful Guinness lake will sure captured your attention. If you want to find the best place to relax, this is the best place that you need to visit near Dublin. The wilderness will surely fill your heart with gladness and satisfaction. Witness the way that water from the Guinness Lake runs deep through the Sally gap or rather the upper mountain view. Need a guide for more adventure scenic path....follow me.