We met at Pret a Monger coffee shop, just behind a big electronic timetable, inside Grand Central Station at 9.30 am sharp to catch the train to Dublin and on to Malahide for the day where our south of Ireland friends met us at Connolly Station and accompanied us throughout the day.
The sun reappeared as we continued to explore the beauty of the Southern Irish coast along Dublin’s northern bay.
Lunch in Gibney’s was relatively inexpensive compared to Dublin city centre, deliciously tasteful washed down with the proverbial pint. Unlike Bray, we found a shop which actually sold souvenirs as we wandered down the Geranium lined main streets towards lovely Malahide beach.
Here are a few random suggestions if you are planning a trip of your own;
Malahide Castle which dates to the 12th century has over 260 acres of parkland estate, forming the Malahide Demesne Regional Park.It was home to the Talbot family for 791 years, from 1185 until 1976, the only exception being the period from 1649 to 1660, when Oliver Cromwell granted it to Miles Corbet after the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland.
The estate survived such losses as the Battle of the Boyne, when fourteen members of the owner’s family sat down to breakfast in the Great Hall, and all were dead by evening, and the penal laws.
In 1918, during the First World War, a mooring-out base for airships was established in the grounds of the castle, used by airships from RNAS Anglesey in Wales which conducted anti-submarine operations in the Irish Sea.
Botanic Gardens, situated behind the castle, comprises several hectares of plants and lawns, a walled garden of 1.6 hectares and seven glasshouses, including a Victorian conservatory. Many plants from the southern hemisphere, notably Chile and Australia, are featured.
Malahide Cricket Club Ground
The cricket venue is located in the Lady Acre field and is home to Malahide Cricket Club. It also attracts international fixtures with teams such as Australia, England and Pakistan. In September 2013 using temporary grandstands and hospitality pavilions over 10,000 spectators were accommodated, a record for the Island of Ireland.
Concert Venues; The grounds at Malahide Castle were opened in summer 2007 leading to memorable performances by Joe Cocker, Al Green Neil Young, Eric Clapton, Chic and Prince.By summer 2017 the venue’s impressive capacity was increased to 20,000.
Many thanks to Robert and Eleonor for hosting us once again.
PS: please note that we will soon be moving off Meetup because of their recent decision to charge our members disproportionate fees and we will soon be found on a stand alone platform of our own.
www.elitefriendshipclub.com