Ireland #9

Ireland #9
We were so busy yesterday I didn't get my blog done. This morning (Friday) we have some free time as we don't have to check out til noon (but will likely go sooner). The others have all left for the airport and home and we sort of wish we were going too! It's been a long time away.
Yesterday morning we had a bus tour of the downtown area of Dublin. I kept my map out so that I could be oriented for the next two days. We move to a downtown hotel today.
After this we went to the Glasnevin Cemetery. What an interesting tour by a guy with a PHD in history. We all felt that it tied up a lot of loose ends as we've been hearing bits and pieces of Irish history over the past 10 days. It is a non-denominational cemetery so all religions and all political ideologies are buried near each other. So many sad stories of broken friendships/ families because of politics. And so many unneccesary deaths. The cemetery has more inhabitants than the city of Dublin! It is the largest cemetery in Europe I think he said --- 1.5 million souls.
Then our tour guide left us downtown for 3 hours. First order of business was lunch as we were starving. Next we went to see the Book of Kells. What beautiful work the monks did and how wonderfully preserved these books are. They were painted on animal skins in the 800's. Quite amazing.
Next tour was of the Jameson distillery which isn't being used anymore. They've changed it into a museum which explains the whole process then there is a huge dining room. After the tour you get either a whiskey straight (Don) or mixed with gingerale and lime (me). We had a very nice meal then entertainment -- Irish muscians and dancers. Great evening.
The difference between Irish whisky and Scotch is: Irish whiskey is distilled three times and Scotch twice. The whiskey is being made elsewhere in Ireland (was made in Dublin for 200 years).
We got back to the hotel late and then at 1 am the fire alarm went off. It was a false alarm but needless to say, everyone is tired this morning!
So, we are off to a new hotel and will spend the day seeing a few more sites. Tomorrow am we need to be at a certain spot by 6:20 for our bus tour of Northern Ireland. That will be a 13 hour day.
Sofar all our hotels have WIFI. Hope the next one does too. We are travelling again on Sunday -- across Ireland back to Adare which is south of Shannon.
All the hotels have been great. Each room has a tub/shower or one of each. So I get my nightly bath. In one hotel we had a handicapped suite I think as there were extra bars by the toilet and a very low sink -- just right for sitting at with a wheelchair. And we had 3 beds that night. Or maybe it was a kid's room --extra bed and low sink???? The breakfasts are all included. Lots of food from cereal, fruit, yogurt, toast, croissants to hot cooked food.