DAY #5 (FRIDAY) - heading back to Dublin

We had a restful night's sleep before leaving Kinsale at 8AM for Dublin.

We stopped along the way (at Michael of Old Head's suggestion) at the Rock of Cashel.

It was misting and coolish and the Rock of Cashel is being carefully preserved, but it is quite the spectacle.

The Rock of Cashel is one of Ireland's most spectacular archaeological sites.

According to The Lonely Planet:



"Stone walls circle an enclosure containing a complete round tower, a 13th-century Gothic cathedral and the finest 12th-century Romanesque chapel in Ireland, home to some of the land's oldest frescoes.


It's a five-minute stroll from the town centre up to the Rock, from where fantastic views range over the Tipperary countryside.


The word 'cashel' is an anglicised version of the Irish word caiseal, meaning 'fortress'. In the 4th century, the Rock of Cashel was chosen as a base by the Eóghanachta clan from Wales, who went on to conquer much of Munster and become kings of the region. For some 400 years it rivalled Tara as a centre of power in Ireland. The clan was associated with St Patrick, hence the Rock's alternative name of St Patrick's Rock. In 1101, King Muircheartach O'Brien presented the Rock to the Church to curry favour with the powerful bishops and to end secular rivalry over possession of the Rock with the Eóghanachta, by now known as the MacCarthys.


You can take some paths including the Bishop's Walk from the gardens of the Cashel Palace Hotel. Sheep allow you to pass. The scaffolding moves from place to place each year as part of the never-ending struggle to keep the Rock caulked. Call ahead for details of guided tours."
We then arrived in Dublin and are staying at The Herbert Park Hotel - beautiful hotel!

 The Chop House was a 13 minute walk from our hotel:

 Another restaurant very close by that was highly recommended by our friend Michael at Old Head:

We were starving, so we decided to check out where we're "tailgating" tomorrow - The Chop House - http://thechophouse.ie

Amazing and delicious cauliflower and curry soup! TO DIE FOR!

A masculine drink for a masculine guy:

Karen's crab appetizer:

My open face tuna - are you kidding me???? It was spectacular!!

Now THAT'S a chicken sandwich and "chips"!!!

TAILGATE PARTY 9/3/17:

Now we're unpacking (again) and regrouping before heading off back to Temple Bar and Trinity College.  Pep Rally is there this evening and we're dining at Shanahan's with friends and my cousin, who's arriving from London shortly.

Entering Trinity College:

 We immediately see a familiar face from home, Preston Green and said a quick, "Hello":

 PRESTON:

 Another couple of steps and Ryan Womack's adorable parents walked up to us:

 Then TR:

 And a passerby insisted on taking a group shot:

 And while the Gents headed off to find a pint, Karen and I toured the Book of Kells:

After the Kells tour, Karen and I met up with Doug at the Bank on College Green (http://www.bankoncollegegreen.com) - such a cool restaurant and bar (for a drink before dinner).  SOOO much fun!

Here's a pic of what it looks like when you enter:

After a drink, we walked over to Shanahan's but first stumbled upon a favorite haunt in Paris!

Found some Laderee macrons and HAD to have a sample:

Our fabulous dinner spot:

 Dinner at Shanahan's included these:

 And my favorite part of the day - my cousin flew in from London for a visit:

Our dinner group at Shanahan's:

What a fabulous day ending with an incredible meal. Shanahan's is truly a dining experience - the best service I think I've ever had in all of Europe, and outstanding food and wine.

Tomorrow is GAMEDAY!!!

Till then....
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