A Day in the Country!

Christine and I forgot about the start of Daylight Saving Time in Europe so we slept late. I got up at 7am, thinking it was 7a and we both went back to sleep.

Got up about 9:15a, which was really 10:15a. Luckily, the Central hotel saved us two Irish breakfasts, saying a lot of people forgot to set their clocks ahead.

We decided to spend the last night in a Castle MileCrazy recommended: the Barberstown Castle (a review coming in a separate thread.)

Christine rented a car from Thrifty Rent a car for 9am. We were going to drive all over Ireland. We arrived at the Rent a car place about 11am and the guy said "well it's about time you showed up." Christine was ready to spit out a hairball but I told her just to get the car.

We did have a brief tiff when the guy asked for her airline mileage program card for 100mi and she presented... A CONTENENTAL ONE PASS CARD!!! GASP!! I said "I"m crushed you would want miles on that airline and not MY airline." And she told me to deal with it. I told her that I upgraded her on UNITED and why she would fly Continental. She said "more flights to Newark" but she understood my loyality to the other airline.

This couple from Texas found the whole exchange hysterical.

We got a nice Green car with room for our bags and hit the road.

Welcome to Blanchardstown

Christine took the wheel (I am horrible at driving overseas) and on the way I see a sign and screamed "Christine! that's my town."

After almost crashing Christine also screamed when seeing the sign for "Blanchardstown!"

With the Freddie within reach we pulled over and got one picture of me holding the Freddie by the exit sign to "Blanchardstown."

We decided to cruise into town to see what it had. Lots of bike riders, homes and a big shopping mall. And this tavern called "The Bell."

It was near 12pm. We both needed a Guinness. Went to the door, locked, Christine knocked. The guy (a nice fellow in shirt and tie and grew moustache) comes out and says the bar is not open yet. So as we start to walk off and a drizzle turns to a heavy rain Sean the Barkeep (and assistant manager) Yells "Well for two friends from across the seas I'll break the rule and serve you early!"

(Maybe it was the shine from the Freddie glistening on his eyes!)

It's a big pub with a nice restauarnt. they were getting ready for Sunday lunch. We had great Guinnesses and Christine told everyone who would listen that I was a "real Blanchard." I flashed my passport and everyone shook my hand and offered both of us welcome.

We took another shot of the Freddie next to a full glass of Guinness, one of a row of men bellied up to the bar with me holding the Freddie. Then Sean said a good looking guy should have beautiful Irish women around me so he called his entire female staff to pose with me and the Freddie (I really want THIS SHOT TO COME OUT!) Christine took the shots and said the look on my face in this shot was worth the whole drive!

We had to push on, and sadly had to decline Sean's offer of a free Lunch.

Getting Hopelessly Lost

Christine and I arrived at the Barberstown castle (a separate report coming) and after freshening ourselves up with Guinness (for me) and Coke (for Christine, who sadly prefers it to PEPSI!) we hit the road again.

The front desk angel, Vivian, warned us against taking a long drive to Cork or other place because we wouldnt' have gotten back till like midnight. So we decided to drive locally.

Christine got hopelessly lost and we drove everywhere looking for some Japanese gardens. we stopped at one restaurant and had Chicken Kiev (could not find anything Irish related on the menu) and kept pulling into gas stations and farms and pubs (one was full of men who whistled. We both ran out of that one fast!)

We finally found the right road back to the castle. After a cat nap and a walk around the ground in the rain we headed into the town of Maynooth hoping to get some Irish food.

The No-Name Restaurant

After only finding pubs with no food, a Chinese Restaurant, an Italian place and a pizza parlor, we went into another bar and a woman suggested the new hotel up the road.

We went to The Glenroyal Hotel and Leisure Club and after walking into a disco were told a restaurant was upstairs. Got to the door and were told the restaurant was closing in 10 minutes. But David (the waiter) and Marina (the waitress) said we could have dinner and they would WAIT for us.

IN shock, they told us to take our time and order whatever we wanted. We were the only ones in the restaurant, which David told us just opened two weeks ago and the Chef was experimenting with food and a theme (this week the design was nautical with blow holes for windows.) In fact the place didn't even have a name!

Marina told us she played piano on Saturday nights and I said "good, more artists." Both she and David were so nice.

We started with a crab meat appetizer wrapped in cone like shells then went for nice beef steaks well seasoned (marina said we were having IRish beef, so we can say we had an Irish meal.) with nice hash browns and vegetables.

We skipped desert and David and Marina were sad to see us go. We found out we kept them there an hour past closing. Christine said "Of course it stayed open because the Catman was in town!" I purred.

Back to the castle for a late night Guinness and a short sleep before a (GASP!) 3:30pm wakeup call for the airport!

Next: the Long and Delayed Road Home


[This message has been edited by Catman (edited 03-28-2000).]

[This message has been edited by Catman (edited 03-28-2000).]

Catman: Great report! One question: does the Bell serve Cateau Blanchard?

Vivid and enjoyable report, my fine feline friend.