Powerscourt

Today I must have experienced as many mood swings as I did Irish seasons. The weather today couldn’t make up it’s mind whether it was going to be overcast, sunny, rainy, windy or cold. In fact it was all those things, and after a series of the days’ steady highs & low I think I now know why the Irish drink so much; it’s called “Murphy’s Law” for a reason folks.

I started off the day much later than I had intended, so I rushed over to Connolly Station to catch the next DART train towards Powerscourt Estate. Funny thing is, the normally 30 minute train ride added another hour to the trip when the train decides to stop just 100 meters from the last station, my final destination at Bray! You would think the announcement would come sooner and with some tangible explanation for the delay, but nooooo, only after 40 minutes of being idle does the train operator decide it’s best to clue in all the passengers that “we’ll be moving momentarily” which really meant we’re f–ked for another twenty minutes sitting there as other trains passed us by and laughed in our faces.

I was really anxious to get to Powerscourt before they closed the Italian Gardens at 5:30pm and it was already 2pm at when I finally got off the train so I was skeptical if I should continue on. And not helping matters was the fact that the bus from Bray to Powerscourt wasn’t due for another 40 minutes, further fueling my fear that the day was lost.

(On a side note, I don’t understand why people feel the need to vandalize the public bus schedules all over town… geez that is annoying!)

While trying to decide what to do next, I wandered into a local Irish language bookstore called Cúpla Focal where I asked for alternative methods to Powerscourt and managed to get engaged in a lovely conversation with the shop managers. Topics ranged from US politics, to the EU’s “Lisbon Treaty” initative, to life in London, New York and Ireland. They even revealed to me that my name translated in Gaelic is Séamuisín (pronounced “Shay-mu-sheen”) which I thought was pretty suave! Before saying our goodbyes I promised I’d send them a postcard from NYC next time I’m back in my hometown.

Without them realizing it MacDara & Gearóid completely cheered me up and I decided I’d still go on to visit Powerscourt while there was still time left. And I’m glad I went because the estate is MAGNIFICENT! Even with the skies overcast and having to endure the on & off rain, the beauty of the Italian Gardens is a sight to behold. I didn’t get to see the waterfalls (not enough time) but I would love to come back here again preferably when the day is really nice and clear.

Of course the day HAD to end on a strange note — why do strangers feel so comfortable talking to me, even in other countries?! More importantly, what kind of fool asks you for the time when there is a big clock in the middle of the street to refer to? Silly rabbit.

Popularity: 8%

(No Ratings Yet)

 Loading ...