I checked my website this morning to see that the few pictures of the Westin I included last night did not publish. The only explanation I have is: "yesterday was not our day".
Our overnight stay at the Westin Dublin was fantastic! The Westin enjoys an enviable location on the doorstep of Trinity College and Grafton Street shopping and the River Liffey. This historic building dates to the 1800's and has had a number of past lives; from the robe suppliers to Trinity College Dublin in 1847 to the city's leading insurance and financial companies of the late 1800's.
Such a wonderful room and delicious full Irish breakfast in the Morelands Grill .
Really enjoyed tasting the natural honeycomb. So unique and delicious!
Michael enjoyed the yoghurt. He rated this second to the yoghurt in Switzerland but he said it was close.
Pictures of our room at the Westin Dublin.
We took at taxi back to the airport to pick up our car and then we were off to Arthurstown and our stay at the Glendine Country House Bed and Breakfast.
Daffodils blooming along the roadways from Dublin to Arthurstown. Primrose, pansies and hyacinths are found in gardens. Trees are beginning to bud. Spring is on the way.
The Glendine Country Bed and Breakfast is quite outstanding!!!!
From a rural hillside on the Hook Peninsula, this B&B, in an 1830 stone country house, has views to the sea. It's 9.3 km from Tintern Abbey, 17.9 km from Hook Lighthouse and 43.2 km from Waterford.
Glendine is situated on 50 acres of private gardens and paddocks where you can see Highland cattle, Jacob sheep and deer from your bedroom windows. Family run, the house has been in the family for over 60 years and Ann & Tom opened their home as a bed and breakfast nearly 25 years ago. The luxury spacious accommodations have sea views and are furnished with antiques. It is such a lovely and inviting place. Michael and I highly recommend this Bed and Breakfast. I have decided this is a location for another visit in the future. We definitely will be back!
Daffodils, Jacob sheep and lambs greeted us as we came up the driveway.
Our room is extremely clean, spacious, comfortable and quaint with views of the sea.
Michael and I enjoyed tea and cake while we planned the rest of the afternoon.
We asked our host for recommendations on what to see and he suggested we go out to the Hook Lighthouse. Excellent choice!
Hook Lighthouse stands on the tip of the picture perfect Hook Peninsula and marks the entrance to Waterford Estuary, the Maritime Gateway to Ireland's Ancient East.
The Rock of Hook Peninsula are Fossiliferous Carboniferous Limestone and were formed 355 to 290 million years ago.
Known as "The Race to the South", the mouth of the harbor can be treacherous where the Rivers Nore, Barrow and Suir (the three sisters) meet the sea.
The Three sisters river system has always been an important entry point to Ireland so for many centuries the Hook has seen both Traders and Invaders pass.
The area from Hook Peninsula to the Saltee Island is known as "The Graveyard of a Thousand Ships".
There are 14 beaches on Hook Peninsula "A beach a day for a fortnight".
A beacon has shone at Hook Head since St. Dubhan lit the first fire in the 5th century and has continued since Hook Lighthouse was established by William Marshal as Lord of Leinster in the 13th century. The massive black and white striped tower is the world's oldest intact working lighthouse.
Michael and I decided to take the guided tour of the lighthouse. We had a knowledgeable friendly guide whom guided us up the very uneven winding 115 steps. We walked in the footsteps of lighthouse keepers through the ages. At each new chamber through the medieval tower, we were met by characters from the past through hologram and video. We encountered the 5th century St. Dubhan, "The Greatest Knight, William Marshal" and we heard stories from lighthouse keepers whom lived at Hook.
The foghorn
Monks needed a place to pray.
Place where the monks slept. At night, the monks had to climb all the steps and tend to the beacon fire every 25 minutes.
The place where the monks cooked.
The lighthouse keepers spoke about their life tending the lighthouse. The woman said all living expenses were paid for them.
Having explored the building and climbed the 115 steps of the mural staircase winding up to the balcony, spectacular views 46 meters above sea level stretched out before us.
Some pictures of the threatening water.
We asked our host for restaurant recommendations. He called and booked us at the The Hollow Seafood and Steakhouse
Restaurant. He even drove us to the restaurant and told us Simon would bring us back after dinner. Actually, Simon's father drove us back! Such warmth and hospitality!!! The food was delicious! This will be a restaurant we will talk about again and again. As our friend Bennett would say: "This is a keeper!!!"
The fish dishes change daily to match the fish freshly collected from the Kilmore Quay and Duncannon.
You can build your own gin and tonic.
I had the cider. My drink is 5% alcohol. Check out Michael's beer.
Michael had a local beer.
Fresh baked brown bread
I had eaten a large portion of my cod before Michael took the picture.
Michael chose the hake
We both chose the salad with house dressing. Michael had mashed potatoes and I had the chips.
Of course, we couldn't skip dessert. I kept saying, "Well, we did climb 115 steps up and 115 steps down. That should count for something!"
Apple crumb with ice cream and whipped cream for Michael
Warm rice pudding with raspberry preserves (I would call it sauce) for me.
What a fantastic day!
I will end for tonight. Michael has been asleep for nearly two hours and my computer battery is quite low.
Until tomorrow.