October 20 - Day 4 - Dublin - Althone - Galway

Today was not a great day. Our bus that was supposed to pick us up at 9 but had mechanical issues on it's way to the hotel (a broken fan belt) and it being Sunday there were no mechanics available so another bus had to be sent to pick us up from Galway which is 2 hours away. Instead of leaving at 9 we left Dublin at 12:20. It was a lost morning because we could not venture far in case the bus arrived.

There was also a wind warning in effect as well as rain. For compensation for the half day lost we were all offered an Irish coffee at the Kilbeggan Distillery. This is the oldest distillery in Ireland. It was built in 1757. The distillery had an old waterwheel, antique car, kilns, holding tanks and numerous distilling paraphernalia on display. The Irish coffee was good and hit the spot after the long wait and rain.

While waiting for our turn to take this picture, there was a woman who kept reaching for my glass. It took some time to realize that she simply wanted the glass to use as a prop for her picture. After her picture was taken she said obrigada at which point we understood that she was Portuguese. 

Rollande waiting for the Irish coffee to be ready.

Finally here.

Water Wheel to power the distillery.

After our coffee we were soon on our way to the centre of Ireland to the town of Athlone which sits on the Shannon river. As well as being in the center of Ireland Athlone boast the oldest bar in all of Europe. It is now called Sean's bar and was built in 900 A D even before there was a town. Even the castle across from it was built later in the 13th century by the Norsemen. The pub was full of locals having a pint.

Althone Town Bridge.

Saints Peter and Paul Church.

As it was storming our visit of Galway was postponed to tomorrow when the weather is better.

Since our hotel is on the outskirts of the city and it was still storming we had supper at the hotel restaurant and spent a quiet evening in our room.