WEDNESDAY

Left Edinburgh and traveled to Dublin where we took a scenic tour of the countryside in Ireland called Glendalough where a lot of films have been made (a part of Braveheart was actually filmed in Ireland).Unfortunately it was raining the evening we visited and we did not actually get to see the beautiful countryside in a favorable setting.

During the tour, the bus driver informed us of the following:

Georgian area of Dublin - the buildings had four sets of windows with smaller windows on the top layer because at one time there was a tax on glass.

Marion Square - the home of Oscar Wilde

There are approximately 10,000 - 20,000 people that still use the Gaelic Language which is the official language of Ireland and they have effectively gotten legislation passed making every law that is passed by the European Union has to be translated into Gaelic

We rode by the Bank of Ireland which was opened after the 1960 uprising.After the 1960 uprising, Ireland became a sovereign state. Daniel O'Connell made a Ireland a sovereign state by using the ballot box and not violence.There is a statue honoring him in the main square.

The River Niffy divides the north and south of Dublin.

4 million people live in Ireland and 1.5 million of them live in Dublin

County of Wicklow is called the "Garden of Ireland"

The Sugarloaf Mountain which we saw in the distance is white on top because of the rock formation.

Village of Roundwood is the highest village above sea level in Ireland

Johnny Fox's Pub - claims to be the highest pub

The high areas of Ireland were a popular hiding ground for the Irish rebels.There were safe houses where the locals would provide them with food and shelter.

Farming has steadily declined as an Irish industry - there are fewer farmers and what are left are farming large farms (over 200 acres).

There is sheep and cattle farming in the rugged countryside - used to be goats but that is not as popular as it once was.

The last fifteen years has seen a decline in the construction industry with most people working in Dublin.

Cost of a house in the rural area would be about 600,000 - 900,000 pounds - there must be a minimum of one acre to build a house in Wicklow because the planning commission wants to keep the scenic area.

A goal of every Irishman is to own his/her own home - apartment living is a relatively new concept - would cost about ½ million up to 20 million.

Monastery

Buildings are from the 8th and 12thcentury.The gatehouse is the only surviving gate in Ireland.The round tower is 91' tall and was used for defense. This monastery was in use for 600 years - destroyed in 1398.In 1870 it was rebuilt using the original stones.

It was the home of St. Kevin who was born of Royal background but lived as a hermit.St. Kevin's cross is located here along with ruins from St. Mary's Church dating from the 8th century.