Phoenix Park is wonderful. We are learning that when a city is creating a park, it helps to have a big bunch of land owned by a Duke, an Earl, a Viceroy, or some other dignitary who no longer has a need for a military establishment or royal palace and ultimately bequeathes it or sells it to city, state, or country. Phoenix Park was originally established in 1662 as Royal Deer Park, was improved and opened to the public in 1747 by the Earl of Chesterfield. The Chesterfield coat of arms includes the rising Phoenix, thus the park is named as such. This park is a showplace in the North of Dublin and is a royal treasure. It is one of the largest, (1752 acres--twice the area NY's Central Park), most natural and most beautiful parks we've ever seen. Plus it's entrance is only about 4 blocks from our apartment door. How in the heck did we get so lucky??? Again, please see the photos. We were completely amazed at it's space and beauty. I think the pictures will show all we saw.

We started walking just for exercise, but got caught up in the sights . . . the US Ambassador's residence, the President's house (i.e. the White House), the magazine fort--built in 1734, the 2.5 acre Victorian vegetable, fruit, herb, and flower garden, the vast open acreage, and the fallow deer herd. Our usual one-hour fast walk encompassed 2 1/2 hours. But is was a gift!

For the afternoon, we wanted to see just a litte of the Irish countryside, so we boarded a bus and went to Bray which is south of Dublin on the Irish Sea. Look it up! Oh my, what a combination, the Irish Sea shore with Ireland's GREEN hills in the back landscape!

If you ever get here, have at least one meal at the Ocean Bar and Grill at the foot of the hill and at the edge of the shore . . . Enjoy your food and watch people walking and playing at the beach, sail boats in the sea, and the green hills in the landscape!

This could be Heaven!