Cool house

There are many great houses in Ireland. When we were staying out near Dublin, the B&B had a book on Great Irish Houses which we have since picked up and Lisa has a set a goal to visit all the houses listed. On Sunday we drove up to Castle Coole in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland.

The only sign that you have crossed the border into the North is the change from kilometers back to miles on all the signage. Border patrols are a thing of the past.

Chartres & Versailles

We took a day trip to visit the Chartres Cathedral. I have always loved mazes and labyrinths. When I was a kid I would often spend hours drawing mazes and before coming to Ireland I bought a book on labyrinths. Perhaps the most famous labyrinth is the one from the Chartres Cathedral and I was hoping to walk this 800 year-old path. I was forewarned that often chairs cover the labyrinth and that was the case when we arrived. It is a bit surprising to cover up such a significant historical artifact.

On the way back, we stopped at Versailles. Another architectural marvel. A bit over the top for me, yet indescribable. You have to experience it yourself and think of Marie Antoinette walking the halls in a powdered wig holding court.

Facade

Saw this fantastic facade on a building being restored. Some of the elements are actually dimensional and the overall effect drew Gabe and I down the street to have a closer look.

Up on the roof

It's not everyday that you visit a great house in Ireland. It's not everyday that you stand on a great house of Ireland. Today, Lisa and I visited Temple House and got a tour by the owner, Roderick Perceval, from cellar to roof and many places inbetween. And I thought we had some renovation work to do ...

Damn tourists

When we approached Strokestown Park today for a visit of the great house and gardens, we didn't expect to be waiting in line to get in. However, some camels from the circus on the grounds were outside the garden gate happily eating the ivy off the walls. It started with three camels and as another appeared up to six, we howled with laughter.


Thanks to one contractor who realized the significance of the original kitchen in 1970, he built partions that when removed, revealed the only remaining example of an original galley kitchen in Ireland.

Cool studio

Carton Levert is a design studio in Rathmullan, Co. Donegal. They are completing work on the identity of the Centre. The owners built a modern house and studio on the property next to their parent's house. The view is great. The space is fantastic. The people are even better. I almost forgot to mention the dog, Rusty, an Irish terrier, or a rug with legs.

We had a new builder by the other night and are awaiting quotes to get started on Lisa's space, and hopefully a second floor bathroom.

Walking Sligo

There’s no better way to learn a town than to walk it. We continued to do some exploring by foot today. Clearly one of the prettiest walks is along the Garavogue River that splits the town centre north and south.