The Emerald Isle, days 7-10 (delayed post)

    
    Day 7 - After returning to Dublin, Dermot graciously offered to let us stay with him at his home, meaning only one last night in a Dublin hotel. On this day, Jana and I toured a segment of Downtown Dublin we had not previously seen.  Did some geocaching.  Saw some touristy things.  Dermot picked us up from our hotel in the evening to take us to his house.

    Day 8 - Two major activities today.  The first was a visit to the Irish National Heritage Park, where we listened to guides describe the history of the various groups that arrived in Ireland, and battled over it. 
    After, we went to Wexford to participate in the 'Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann', a national heritage festival with food and music stages and drink and dancing stages and food and vendor stalls and drink and street performance and food and drink.  A massive, massive street party (all city traffic banned during the festival, to allow all the foot traffic), with 700,000 participants projected over the one week.  We walked the streets.  Ate.  Drank.  Listened to the music. Ate.  Drank.  Then left, satisfied.

    Day 9 - First, Dermot took us on a hike up Killiney Hill.  Then, a tour up the North half of the Dublin Coast.  We have certainly done a proper go at Dublin.

    Day 10 - A mid-morning run to the airport, and start the journey home!

    Photos:
    Day 7 - 
    Walking along the river, a Great Cormorant showing his wingspan.  And a Mute Swan nearby:

    The Samuel Becket Bridge, which resembles a harp:

    The Jeanie Johnson Tall Ship, which is a replica of a ship that immigrants took from Ireland to North America.

    Day 8 - 
    Started at Irish National Heritage Park.  Toured about 16 sites (most with a guide) that walked through the history of settlement in Ireland.  The first part included replicas of typical dwellings.  The last part included the long, drawn-out drama/battles that led to the Norman conquest of Ireland.  I did not take adequate photos at this site, and the photo I do have has a bit of my thumb over the lens (sigh).

    The site also includes a Raptor Exhibit, with birds from all over the world.  Here, a Little Owl and a Great Grey Owl (neither native to Ireland):

    Then off to Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann!  Music halls.  Full streets.  So much food.  So much drink.  So many street vendors and street performers.  Carnival rides.  A great time.

    Day 9 - started with a hike up Killiney Hill.  Great ocean views.  

    Saw Enya's castle.  Did not see the goats.

    Headed North up the Dublin Coast.  Stopped at an estuary to look at some of the wading birds.  Including a Bar-Tailed Godwit:

    At the Howth Harbour, the big attraction was the Grey Seals:

    Across the water, a fishing boat being mobbed by seaguls:

    At Malahide, a Little Egret:

    Day 10+.  After 86 days, we are back home.  Time to do some clean-up.  Though I'm not sure the difference is all that dramatic...  Maybe from the side.  And maybe a little different from a picture near the start.