Meath The Castle Tour

In the olden days, if you have the guts to use your life as a betting wage, you could be King. Standing here at the cemetery, looking at the ruins of an old church could teleport your imagination to the days of Middle Ages of how they live.

Watching Indiana Jones movies could leads you thinking there's a keeper laid to rest in the coffin. Was trying look out for ghost or the holy grail but they don't exist  here As usual, doors and stairs are really small.

Occasionally you might bump into strange object around the cemetery, do you believe in voodoo or black magic? We saw this in 2 locations both are very old cemeteries. Who would have do this, what are they doing, why in the cemetery? With my experience on this kind of stuff, do not touch any of this or disturb it.

You'll be astonished if I tell you this castle have 365 windows, from wiki info. Do you believe in 'Feng Shui'?
I do, but for modern thinking, everything have to do with marketing. But no matter how much money they put in nothing works. Kind of a jinx for most castle except for few that make it big.

Guess what is this? It's actually a 15-17th century hospital and guest house, modern day 5 star Hotel and Specialist centre located in Trim.

Trim Castle, the largest Cambro-Normans castle in Ireland, love the magpie on flight at the right corner of the picture. Here in Ireland you see lots of Anglo Norman castle which originated from Wales, and if your name end up with Walsh or Joyce, you could be one of the invaders descendants.

If you did watch the movie call 'Braveheart' you wouldn't believe some of the scene were

made here in this castle.

Anywhere you go in Ireland for sight seeing, you wouldn't want to miss 2 things, The Church or the Pub. As for myself, I love the local butcher, if you near Athyboy drop in Brogans the family butcher. I can say they have the best steak sold here on this side of the county. But still cannot beat Savage of Carlingford.

If you are loaded, why not rent the entire castle to host your party here in Ballinlough, but not sure if they allowed that anymore. However, Kenny Roger and many big names was hosted here for concert. We were lucky as this castle is not open for public. There is a local charity marathon going on and we were so happen to pass by and drop in

The colors of mid September are changing dramatically day by day. Soon you'll see the beauty of Autumn colors in Ireland. Will be the best time to take photo.

Botanic Garden The Flowers & The Sculptures

Arts & Creativity have always been my second love since I designs Outdoor Living Gardens for the Irish weather...Funny isn't it. Ireland is not really blessed with hot summer. But we appreciate every time we feel the heat. Look like today will going to be roasting here.

Nature is very interesting, no matter what season, wherever you are, there are always beauty within your mind and soul. Just like flowers, you can sit there for hours reading a book and glance at the bed of flowers, your trouble seems to fade.

Some could be vibrant and some are dull, and if you wandered around the Botanic Garden in Dublin which is about 3km from city centre. A total environment changes, you might think you in the Garden of Eden.
The Garden is well manage by the OPW, and there are endless activities going on the entire year. I was lucky, I didn't know there was a sculpture exhibition going on.

When I first saw the picture on the left, I thought to myself, do you call this sculptures from afar. Then again, out of curiosity, I get nearer and to find out. Just like when Yoko paint an avant garde picture and paste on the ceiling,you hardly see what the hell it was. But a ladder was there. Moral of the story don't judge, just observed. Like my photography, videos, grammars and spellings...lol

I am not trying to prove myself an artist, sculpture or creative genius. It was when I am tired after walking for 2 hours, lay my back against the tree and realize the sun ray shining through the gap of leaves. Watching few wasps trying to get some sun tan buzzing under the rays. Took me more than  30mins to pin point her on flight. Feel like looking for a needle under the haystacks. Multiply the image 1000 times looks awesome.

You call this Art? or Sculpture.
No actually is a
barrier to refrain
people from
entering..lol

Well, this is. If you able to cross your eye and look carefully, you might able to cheat your mind into believing the strings are moving the trunks are popping out.

                       Here have a look at the video on all the Sculptor works right below video.

Nature's Beauty come in many forms. I don't know what its called but I find there are lots of character in it.

 Here a Sculptor and her Masterpiece, I called it the Floating Cornetto. She told me this wasn't suppose to be on the water. It was made to be standing by the edge of the pond. Somehow the reflection from the water create moving. Then she decide to place it in the pond. Sometime things are not meant to be like the Guinness or Lea Perrins sauce.

Take it easy, relax a little, immerse yourself into the world of emptiness. Be Calm Be Irish.

Leaves are changing colors, the first fall has started. Observes what nature tells you. Its the cycle of life. No matter how hard we tried, when it won't comes, it wouldn't. I've been through many seasons. Maybe, he is testing our limits. We just do the best we can.

The Flowers of Autumn Click the link here to see more beautiful flowers from Botanic Garden Dublin.

There are no strangers here, only friends that have not yet met.
William Butler Yeats -
 Check this out. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4H39yUnFVs

Dublin The Southside Inner City

There are about 15 bridges in the Dublin city centre with a short distance from Heuston Station to East Link. Suppose to be a special link for the Luas rail and bus route to ease congestion. No idea what will they call this bridge. Presently the transport and tourism department used the name Priority Bridge.

It's very rare to see Dublin so bright and beautiful on a September afternoon, I guess we are bless and deserve it after all there are more rainy days ahead. Spend a few minutes here and see the walkers  passing by is very relaxing. Ok so we head for the Southside Inner city.

Read a fortune cookie the other day it says ' Alcohol can makes you happy, but can also makes you sad'. Can't figure out this fortune cookie. As far as I know Temple Bar Street have more Spirits than Spud shop.
Its the oasis of Dublin. Check in anytime you like, but won't check out until you piss. Because its pure fun.

What more can I say, the wall itself tells you the message. There are 2 types of tourist here, the first type are serious, carefree easy going and relax who stay away from the headbangers. So mainly tourist and yuppies having a nice afternoon tea and lunch.
The second type is hard core party animals. Take a look at the cobblestone road, you won't be surprise to see young ladies with high heel shoes and scantily wrap even its freezing in the middle of the night. Because they are hot. So basically mostly youngster.

Every where you pass, you sure to hear the real traditional Irish music. Real Irish food served in some pubs.  But nothing can beat the Fish & Chips, they even get a Viking there to promote their business after all they have been around for almost a century.

Business is very competitive nowadays, many businesses are trying to break even. By the way, a pint of Guinness is much cheaper than China or Malaysia. Not too bad ain't it.

There are many lanes in Temple bars, any one of them can lead you up to the main road and cross over to the famous Grafton Street where all the high class shopping area.

Michael Jackson once shop here, so do many celebrities. If there is a sale going on, you'll see 70% Chinese and foreigners in a frenzy shopping spree. Consider one of the most luxurious shop in Grafton Street. There is a village in Kildare that sells designers good. I ate to go there because they don't allow me to take pictures.

If without the buskers or performers in Grafton street, this street is pretty boring. After all everyone is trying to earn a decent living. Some are happy, chirpy, funny and some are sad. You'll see many things here in one walk. You will be asking question to some thing you seen. This is the good memory of Dublin city.

What would you do if you come across this? See the raw video below.

Having travel many countries, I can get the feel of Irish Compassion, maybe its the way of life and maybe it was the way they are brought up. Its really hard to go away without dropping a few change. That's the Irish Spirits. Many of the chess player are tourist, many drop a few extra change, I hope she can achieve her dateline. 

Grafton Street is under revamp for a new pavement.

Time to get this Iron Horse and get to my car, which is park a just out side the inner city. See the video for more Inner Southside of Dublin.

Ireland sober is Ireland stiff. James Joyce Click the top picture to see more pictures on video.

 Follow this video to see Dublin Famous Temple live every day...

EarthCam and the Temple Bar Pharmacy have teamed up to deliver exclusive live views of theTemple Bar section in Dublin, Ireland. This famous city spot is a major center for nightlife, restaurants and bars and is a must-see for many tourists.

 

http://www.earthcam.com/world/ireland/dublin/

Dublin The Northside Inner city

Arguably one of the oldest bridge that divides Dublin North & South Side on the River Liffey. On the left of the picture here leads you the the most famous Drinking Hole in Europe called The Temple Bar. You don't see no temple there. I will brief you about the South Side side on the next blog. We go ahead to the North Side of inner city.

Like most big major cities in Europe, you will find a Chinatown, unlike the others Dublin Chinatown do no t have any arch to show the main entrance and no signage to direct you. Located in Parnell Street. You find all the Chinese groceries you needed. With less than 15 shops on both side, I am sure you find what you looking for. You can even get a lunch or dinner for less than €6. Consist of Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese restaurant. Phone shop, Internet shop, Budget accommodation on the left of the picture to Gardinier Street.

Walk straight ahead after the monument from CHinatown, you find a dry wet market which is called Moore Street. One of the Oldest market in Dublin. Here, you can  really enjoy the real Dubliner's accent. The constant yelling of their product rings a soothing sounds of the old Dublin. Not as busy as it used to be because the actual Irish have move out of the town, its a foreigners haven from all continents. Here you can find everything you want except coffin trade. Within 15 minutes walking distance all you want is right here.

Walk right straight from Moore St, will leads you to Henry St, and here you find lots of higher end shopping centre. Occasionally you see buskers, few homeless begging for a spare change and groups of drunks wandering around. No worries they don't bother you. They call the police here Gardai pronounced  'GarDee'. You'll see at least one or two within 300 hundred steps, some of them on bicycle. So no worries.

 This is your landmark to pintpoint, if you happen to get lost. They call it 'The Spire' I know its hard for Asian or many foreigner to pronounce this word. Call it Toothpick your language or Satay Stick. Don't worry, the highest building in Dublin is only 207 feet. You can see this needle anywhere around the city centre.

On the right where I stand taking this picture is a Church but they turn it into a Pub. This is where Arthur Guinness got married. Within walking distance you can actual walk the Viking trail or wandered around the Georgian era building and a 12th century Cathedrals. Maybe pay a visit to Jameson Distillery or Guinness Brewery.

There are many old pub around here and a food street, where you can find many different culture from Halal to non Halal restaurant.

If you can name it, they have it, this is a well diversify street, its call the Capel Street. can consider one of the busiest street because its narrow and many facilities.

If you into photography, it is advisable to carry a zoom lens, at least its not so intimidating but any compact can do the job as long as you don't shake. Everywhere you go, no matter what time, you surely see an old timer have a smoke out in the pub. Smoking are not allow in any pub across the country.

For €18.00 you can enjoy the entire city on a bus, if you do not have much time to do it on one day, the ticket is good for 2 days. So hop in one of those buses. They are everywhere in the city. Can consider one of the cheapest sightseeing buses in Europe.

The infrastructure of Dublin transportation are consider one of the best I see so far, that's my own opinion. The have Luas which is the light rail, they have buses all around the city, taxi don't extort or harass you, free advertisement bike that cycle you around the city(give tips). And if you plan before coming you can register for Dublinbikes and rides across the city or get a Gocar and park anywhere you like with free parking in any council parking bays. What more can we ask for? They don't charge congestion fee, they don't have toll charge in the city. As usual like many big European Tourist destination, the car park is expensive in city centre.

Where to meet? If you have friends with you or expecting someone. This is the most visible area when you  arrange to meet up. All vehicles go real slow in the city 30km an hour, you'll get a ticket if you go any faster than that. The GPO & Spire.

Another visible sign is The Heineken which have been there for a long long time, I remember the first time that I landed Dublin this is the site that I never forget because it was then the highest building in Dublin. (lol)
It's the O' Connell Bridge another famous landmark that divides the North and South city. Will show you in my next blog on the South side of the city.

Guess who I saw during my street photography. You never imagine who you bump into in Dublin, you might see Bono, Sinead or Liam on the street... Here she is Mrs Brown or rather Mr Brendan O' Carroll himself doing a new movie.

Click the Misty Dublin to see videos on the North Side Street.

Wedding; The Perfect Venue in Ireland

We have seen lots of proposal clips from running to cinema surprising the bride asking for her hand and the latest Asus ads by using handheld devices. However, we don't really see behind the scene of where the location actual taken place. There are lots of wedding photographer doing the pre wedding album. Many have turn the direction to Indonesia and some exotic island of Thailand. I think its time to highlight Ireland as a destination.

Ireland is rich in culture, history, beautiful castle, scenic landscape, and many more. Europeans are slowly picking up the trend through the Asian way of holding a reception. Big albums, banners, small books laid on the table for guest to see, mingle and introductions of the couples, places they went, memories captured.

From the pastel mountains of Wicklow Mountains to the extra vibrant colors of Killarney Rings of Kerry, the dull and dramatic night shot behind the backdrop Rock of Cashel to the night life of Dublin Bridges. You see the most interesting backdrop which have been created for centuries.

Regardless of what religion you are, what ceremony you wanted, there are few well known castle that can arrange the rite of marriages.

From old Gothic Church to the 21st Century Church, you find it across the 32 counties in Ireland. Hotel rooms are easily available in any counties, equipment rental for photography need is not a problem.

Many privately own property does not allow commercial photography such as wedding and so forth, but with advance notice and application, some would allowed for personal weddings.

Dublin is rather safe to do photography even in the busy Liffey river at nightfall. Maybe you could bump with a few tipsy yokes but they harmless. Tell me how many countries in the world you notice police that doesn't carry gun. You won't see it here, that determine the level of safety zone. So No fear factor here.

Ireland have the largest Park in Europe, right in the heart of city, you can find at least 5 beautiful parks plus a Botanic Garden. And in any county, you will find bridges form the oldest in Europe to the most famous Bridge in Connemara.

Location to any parts of the country take you a journey of less than 4 hours or could be 4 mins and that depends on which place you fancy. Food and lodging  are reasonable here. People are friendly, the streets are safe, the roads sign are written in English so you have no problem travelling. No matter what season you come, there are beauty in every occasion. Although they have 4 season in a day, you can easily cope with it. After all Love can defies all obstacles.

Autumn is here, this year we have a pretty long summer. If you planning your wedding or just a visit, make Ireland you destination to see. Don't take my word for it, experience yourself. The land of great achievement.
Discover Ireland and from me to you with lots of Irish love.

                                               Start counting all the loves from Ireland.