Pride in Dublin and Pipes in Howth

Days 28/29/30

Day 28 - We spent a day recovering but I felt I needed some exercise so I did a 2 1/2 hour walk to the Summit of Howth. The first bit was a steep cliff path with a sheer drop on one side... I didn't look! However the climb was repaid by the spectacular view over Dublin Bay.

We also visited the amazingly geeky but very interesting Hurdy Gurdy Radio Museum housed in the Martello Tower! The guide was as eccentric as the content, which was an amazing collection of radios, radio equipment and other miscellany. They also run a Ham Radio station from there in morse code.

Sunset from the boat.
Yesterday, the 29th June, we decided to catch the bus into Dublin, a half hour's journey along the coast. We had a seat on the top deck right at the front so were able to view the scenery. When we alighted from the bus in Talbot Street it was obvious there was something going on as there were a lot of people in rainbow colours...yes it was Gay Pride march day. There were a very colourful and eclectic mix of marchers of all ages and it made for a real carnival atmosphere.

Spectators watching the march in O'Connell Street.
The GPO in Pride colours
Marchers and spectators in carnival mood.




We did watch the buses and floats for about an hour in O'Connell Street, right by the GPO (General Post Office) building, but decided to go and learn about the history of the independence movement in the GPO "Witness History" exhibition. The GPO was taken over and occupied by the rebels during the 1916 Easter uprising. The exhibition tells the story of this and the "before and after" events which went on to shape modern Irish History. It was very interesting and well done with a mixture of exhibits, interactive screens, films and audio commentary. I recommend a visit if you are ever in Dublin as it explains the struggles for independence and the context of the events within modern World history.



Some local lads at the end of the day!
Today, Sunday the 30th June, we are having a boat day doing housekeeping and laundry etc. Since getting up this morning we have had the continuous sound of bagpipes and on walking up to the park in front of the yacht club realised there is a competition going on...the East of Ireland  Pipe Band Championships. They obviously take it very seriously and it was a wonderful spectacle.


Having a refreshment break!
One of the many pipe bands practising for the competition.

One of the many pipe bands in full swing.
The Oar House



I had to sample the fish restaurants on the fisherman's quay so we went over and chose The Oar House out of the many on offer, as this had been recommended. A glass of Prosecco and a plate of Dublin Bay prawns was a welcome bit of luxury for our Sunday afternoon and an antidote to the horrible sailing trip on Thursday.









P.S Another hat finished!!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Day one and two of the Caledonian Canal - the adventure continues

Image
The Lunatic crew for the Caledonian Canal   We entered the  Clachnaharry sea lock at Inverness for the 1.30 lock and were met by a very helpful, calm lock keeper who talked us through. There was a large sign saying Ireland this way! Clachnaharry Sea Lock, the entrance to the Caledonian Canal, The Great Glen, Loch Ness and Ireland! The lock was timed so that you could then sail through the railway swing bridge, then on to the Muirhead flight of four locks. We had relaxed once we got on to the canal, thinking things could only get better and there is much less to worry about in a canal as opposed to being out at sea, no tides to think about for example. How wrong we were, we were forgetting this is the Lunacy cruise. At the second lock Mick fell in! We heard a plop and a splash and Mick had fallen into the lock between the lock wall and the boat. Josh's quick thinking saved the day as he put the long swim ladder over the edge and Mick managed to climb up before he
Read more

Day 48 and the return to our home port of Ramsgate.

Image
Lunar Sea and her crew back in Ramsgate  Dear Readers, we finally arrived back in Ramsgate five years after setting off on 1 May 2017. The weather then had been atrocious, but it couldn't have been more different for our return. It was promised to be the hottest day of the year, so we had plenty of sunshine and not very much wind. lt did pick up to about 12 knots as we approached Ramsgate, so we managed to get the sails up and the flags flying for our entrance to Ramsgate.  Leaving Dover, heading for the Eastern entrance,  on our way home now. It had been an uneventful 4 hour trip from Dover to Ramsgate, but for some reason the unusually hot weather had created an optical illusion and we had a really clear view of France as we passed Deal. Perhaps it is the high pressure, not sure why?  France, shall we go there instead? We had Josh's daughter Jo on board and Owen and Jordan, two of Josh's grandchildren, joined us in Dover for the day sail. When we got to the approach to Ra
Read more

Day 47 Eastbourne Sovereign Harbour to Dover

Image
  Passing Dungeness Dear Readers, a brief blog today as we are in Dover and just about to leave for our final leg to Ramsgate, which will be day 48 of this leg of the trip. We had a pleasant and uneventful motor sail to Dover, but it was a long trip of 9 hours. The time does go quickly when you are at sea, so it didn't seem so long. We had a couple of visits from porpoises, but they don't come and play around the boat like dolphins do.  Yacht trying to fill it's spinnaker, Eastbourne We had an exciting lock out of Sovereign harbour because it was very busy, so we had boats of all shapes and sizes jostling for position. We passed the remains of a wreck just outside the harbour, only the boilers remain and the birds seem to like it as a perch! Dungeness nuclear power stations. We passed Dungeness which is always interesting, as you get a good view from the sea of the two nuclear power stations, and the two light houses. There aren't many fishing vessels left on the beach,
Read more