Don't **** with our happiness (Billboard in Dublin)

Thursday, 21 May, day 5 of Verweys Away and time for Dick’s observations of the Irish so far:

• -          They are friendly and very relaxed about contributing their piece to any conversation that might come into their vicinity. This has worked out well for us with people pointing us in the right direction constantly when we are looking lost, or congratulating us on a nice purchase.
• -          The people here are very close to their history – it is as if the 1916 uprising is still happening
• -          They are proud of their city and enjoy it – proven by the fact they and their ancestors have lived there for thousands of years

And all the above traits rub off on visitors – I have developed a “grand” Irish brogue, incessantly joining into conversations all around me, pointing out wonderful aspects (Jameson’s distillery, McGuiness storehouse, King Stiric’s Silkbeard’s tomb and the like..). This behaviour is encouraged and rewarded by a lovely pint of lager, draft, ale & stout at the end of the day over a most delicious fresh seafood meal created from the catch of the day.

After a friendly finger and smiling face pointed us in the right direction we picked up our rental. Whilst in the queue, “Team Australia” (travellers from Melbourne, West Coast and Brisbane) discussed the highway robbery being perpetrated on us by the charging of 20 euro per day for the GPS! One alternative was to buy our own for 70 euro or get a SIM card for the iphone, for 30 euro and use Google Maps– which is the option we took.

On our way to Kinsale we stopped and looked at the ruins of a castle / cathedral at the Rock of Cashel – been the residence of the king of Munsters (a county in Ireland) since the 4^th century. A beautiful grey sandstone ruin which is being conserved and restored in parts since the 18^th century. People who were on the 1930 register of inhabitants of the district have the option of being buried on the castle’s grounds – a most grand aspect with 360 degree views of rolling meadows and pastures.

 Saint Patrick's Cross

Our hotel is perfectly positioned only 50 metres from the most important harbour in this part of the world. This natural safe harbour has been used for millennium as evidenced by the remains of other cultures (stonehenge type rings made from stones from other countries, etc). In 1601, 3000 English launched an attack on this natural harbour which was being used by the Catholic Spanish with the support of the Catholic Irish to control trade. The English decided they must have Kinsale if it is to rule the waves and that is exactly what transpired. This is the point when and where the Irish British troubles started.

Out dinner at Crackpots was perfect – a crab shack extravaganza of mousses and crab cakes followed by hake and steak. Washed down by a pot of murphy’s stout and a glass of cab sav from Chile.

Looking forward to tomorrow and another day of getting back in touch with my new-found history in this beautiful, well-off and well-appointed plot.

Today's quote is not from Oscar Wilde or George Bernard Shaw, but from a huge billboard we saw while walking to the car rental. This is probably in relation to the big referendum which is to occur on Friday 22 May - about whether or not to change the Irish constitution so that same sex marriage is recognised.