Are you brave to visit The Addams Family of Kilkenny? 17th Century Haunted House in Ireland

Haunted House in Kilkenny

A 17th century tower house has been purchased by the Cope family.

Though it is famous for its dark and spooky past, this family not only lives there but they even invite the public to visit them. This is why the locals have named them the Addams Family of Kilkenny.

Kilkenny is an important tourist location for Ireland. History has it that murders were taken place there including that of a priest. The owner of the house at that time passed away, his buried body went missing from the graveyard a few nights later.

Reports has it that there are eerie sounds and appearances in the area and if you want to see it for yourself why don't you gather your gear and go visit them....if you are brave enough. 

Do you believe in ghosts and spirits?

 

Part 4- Special Video Coverage of 15th anniversary of St.Patrick's Day at Dublin, Ireland

Part 4 of the Special Video Coverage of 15th anniversary of St.Patrick's Day at Dublin, Ireland:

Part 3- Special Video Coverage of 15th anniversary of St.Patrick's Day at Dublin, Ireland

Part 3 of the Special Video Coverage of 15th anniversary of St.Patrick's Day at Dublin, Ireland:

Dublin Festival St Patricks Day Parade 2010- Special Coverage Part 2

Dublin Festival St Patricks Day Parade 2010- Special Coverage Part 2

Here is Part 2 of the Special Coverage Video of the BIGGEST AND BEST CELEBRATION OF ST PATRICKS DAY IN THE WORLD!!!

It is also called St Paddys Day, Patricks Day and Paddys Day. Named after Saint Patrick (AD 387- 461), Patricks Day is celebrated every year on 17th March and is a public holiday. Families go out together, visit heritage and art centres, attend masses, participate in sports events and attend the St Patricks Parade and engage in other festival activities and competitions like the Treasure Hunt. It is also one of the most busiest and profitable days for pubs and hotels as celebrations include mass alcohol consumption with singing and dancing.

The festival showcases Ireland art, heritage and culture. The city was filled with people and I managed to capture the parade for a short time. A big APPRECIATION to all the Garda, ambulance, volunteers and other authorities who did a great job in efficiently and effectively managing the people and parade.

Special Coverage Video Part 2:

St Patrick’s Day Dublin Ireland 17 March 2010-Festival Parade- BIG KUDOS TO GARDA FOR MANAGING PARADE- Special Coverage Video Part 1

St Patrick’s Day Dublin Ireland 17 March 2010-Festival Parade- BIG KUDOS TO GARDA FOR MANAGING PARADE- Special Coverage Video Part 1


“This certainly is the BIGGEST AND BEST CELEBRATION OF ST’ PATRICK’S DAY IN THE WORLD!!!”

This year, Ireland celebrated it’s 15th year of St’ Patrick’s Festival with a 6 day fun filled entertainment for people of all ages starting from 12th to 17th March 2010 in it’s Captial city Dublin. The theme for this year’s St. Patrick’s Family Parade parade was ‘Extraordinary World’.
Saint Patrick's Day (Lá Fhéile Pádraig in Irish) is celebrated by Irish and non-Irish alike. It is also called St Paddy’s Day, Patrick’s Day and Paddy’s Day. You will see most of the prople coming from various multicultural backgrounds wearing green clothing and Irish symbolic items like shamrocks, leprechaun hats, etc:-

Named after Saint Patrick (AD 387- 461), Patrick’s Day is celebrated every year on 17th March and is a public holiday. All over the world, Irish people gather in their traditional Irish dress fashioned with a green horizon. Families go out together, visit heritage and art centres, attend masses, participate in sports events and attend the St Patrick’s Parade and engage in other festival activities and competitions like the Treasure Hunt. It is also one of the most busiest and profitable days for pubs and hotels as celebrations include mass alcohol consumption with singing and dancing.

The festival showcases Ireland art, heritage and culture. The city was filled with people and I managed to capture the parade for a short time. A big APPRECIATION to all the Garda, ambulance, volunteers and other authorities who did a great job in efficiently and effectively managing the people and parade.

Here is Part 1 of the Special Coverage Video of the Parade in Dublin:

Our Stay at Bewleys Hotel Dublin Airport Swords- 5 minutes from Dublin Airport

Our Stay at Bewleys Hotel Dublin Airport

It was time for my brother to leave Ireland. He had to head off to UK for a few days visit and then return back to Dubai and resume work in his office. However, the weather was real bad and snow was falling pretty heavily in most areas that there was a doubt whether Dublin Airport would be closed due to bad weather. As we stay in the countryside, the beautiful town called Baltinglass, we had to start early in the morning if we had to report to the Airport and get on the morning flight to Heathrow Airport, London. And in this bad weather, it was a risk to travel on the morning of the flight day itself. So my bro wanted to go a day earlier to the Airport in order to be safe. Accordingly we booked into Bewleys Hotel, just 5 minutes from Dublin Airport and reached there in the evening.

Good Hotel Good Facilities

The stay was nice. There was good room service, good food in the hotel, and even free bus service to the Airport every 25 minutes. Inside the room, we have the usual color television, cable network, phone service, a press, a hair dryer, kettle with tea/coffee sachets, extra pillows, towels and a digital safe deposit locker. The view from the room was good as well. We were on the top most floor and there is this vast field with few horses surrounding one side of the Hotel. You can also see the Airport within a distance from our window. Outside, it became a familiar sight to see planes flying right above our heads.

Lobby, Cafe & ATM

Inside the Hotel, there is a large lobby with many sofas and seating capacity which can accomodate many guests at one time. You have an ATM machine (which wasn’t working that day, sad...), few snacks/drinks vending machines, coin change machines, a large food court separated from the lobby and a small snack bar inside the lobby. The only problem is that the Hotel is really far from the city and so there’s no access to any shops outside unless you get a taxi to take you to City Centre.

Free Bus Service to Dublin International Airport

Well, the next morning we got into the Airport Bus Coach and reached the Airport on time. The flight was delayed by over an hour due to bad weather but my bro gladly reached his destination. Who knows, what if we had decided to come from Baltinglass early in the morning and got stuck somewhere in the snow- thats what my bro was concerned about. However, he happily reached London and I happily returned back home in the 8:25 am J.J.Kavanagh Bus to Baltinglass. Overall, it was a good experience and there’s no doubt that I will surely be staying there again in future!

A few hours walk in Carlow Town

A few hours walk in Carlow Town

While my bro was with us for a few days, we made some plans but nothing worked out mainly because of the weather playing spoilsport- frost, snow, freezing temperatures and early sunsets. We did walk around Baltinglass Town and Baltinglass Community Park but wasn’t able to go any further though. The roads in Baltinglass Town were yet to be gritted with salt and mud. One day it was a bit sunny and we visited Carlow. Our first stop was Tesco Supermarket at Fairgreen Shopping Centre. We had a look around and bought batteries for my bro’s cam. Then we shopped at a few clothing shops. We went to a gift shop and got some gifts for his friends. There wasn’t much time to spend in Heatons. So after that we had a look at Halfords, Woodies and Byrnes. Took few snaps near Pizza Hut and KFC as well. We then visited Carlow Shopping Centre inside the town. There were statues of Santa Claus, Snow White, the Three Wise Men and some deers. We took snaps standing next to them. Finally we went back to KFC, bought some fast food and returned home.

“Snow in Baltinglass, Ireland!” “It’s snowing in New Houses, Parkmore...!” :)

“Snow in Baltinglass, Ireland!” “It’s snowing in New Houses, Parkmore...!” :)

Beautiful Baltinglass!!! It’s white all over... the Baltinglass Hills... :)

"So you can imagine what it is like when the whole place is covered in snow. Of course too much snow does have it’s toil on us- we can’t walk without slipping, cant drive without skidding and can’t get out of our home due to Snow Block!"

Now I have seen what snow looks like! Beautiful Snow! When I came to Ireland, I was already mesmerized by the beauty of Ireland. Ireland’s Natural Beauty- especially County Wicklow where I stay in Baltinglass, is simply fascinating! And my first meeting with Ireland was in the Summer. So you can imagine what it is like when the whole place is covered in snow. Of course too much snow does have it’s toil on us- we can’t walk without slipping, cant drive without skidding and can’t get out of our home due to Snow Block! But when you keep all that aside, stand in front of your window and stare out to the Baltinglass Hills and nearby mountains, you just can’t stop admiring how beautifully white the entire place has become in just a matter of a few hours! The hills, trees and roads...it’s everywhere. It’s white all over! Beautiful Snow Beautiful Baltinglass!!!

Beautiful Baltinglass and Glorious Glendalough!!!

And if Beautiful Baltinglass still looks good despite being under all this snow, then I can imagine how much of the beautiful scenic views I am missing of Glorious Glendalough at this moment which must be under a huge paste of snow by now!!!

Our family friends invited me to join them for a trip to a bit faraway place, Glendalough, back in the summer of 2009 just few weeks after I arrived in Ireland. It was my first vist to Glendalough as well. It was wonderful! I couldn't stop clicking snaps in my camera from the time I reached there. A real good memory. And though Baltinglass isn’t as big as Glendalough, the beauty is the same! My admiration for Baltinglass is almost the same as how I’d be admired by Glorious Glendalough! And if Beautiful Baltinglass still looks good despite being under all this snow, then I can imagine how much of the beautiful scenic views I am missing of Glorious Glendalough at this moment which must be under a huge paste of snow by now!!!

Wicklow – The Garden of Ireland : Snow in Parkmore, Baltinglass Town...

I do believe that the entire universe is an art work of God but Co Wicklow – The Garden of Ireland is a class apart! I captured some images and videos of New Houses Parkmore, Baltinglass and got few pretty good shots which are really superb. Watch the video and let me know what you think...

Dublin Port Tunnel : Journey from Dublin Airport to Castledermot in the 8:25 am J.J. Kavanagh bus - Video Clip

Dublin Port Tunnel : Journey from Dublin Airport to Castledermot in the 8:25 am J.J. Kavanagh bus - Video Clip



Dublin Airport to Castledermot J.J. Kavanagh Bus journey

On my journey from Dublin Airport to Castledermot, I got the chance to travel in the underground Dublin Port Tunnel. I was in the 8:25 am J.J. Kavanagh bus and captured the short tunnel episode in my cam. It was nice to be under the road for a change. There was a cute kid sitting in the seat in front of me busy playing on his portable computer game. You can see the reflection on the window of the side seat where I sat.

“This is Castledermot!”

The bus picked me and dropped me on time. I reached Castledermot at 10:25am just like what is shown on their website time table in the internet. Excellent Driver! When I boarded the bus I asked him to let me know when it’s Castledermot stop as I wasnt very familiar with the place. We only come to Castledermot to get onto the bus to Dublin as it’s not in Baltinglass at that time. Anyway, I was still relaxing and staring outside at the snow when the driver slowly got out from his seat, smiled and politely reminded me in front of all the other passengers that ‘This is Castledermot’. I smiled, thanked him and got out.

The Dublin Port Tunnel (Irish: Tollán Calafoirt Bhaile Átha Cliath)


One half of the Twin Underground Dual Carriageway Tunnels, this Underground Tunnel is the Dublin Port Tunnel (Tollán Calafoirt Bhaile Átha Cliath in Irish), constructed in Dublin, Ireland. The two-lane dual carriageway links the M50 Motorway Dublin Port, (located east of central Dublin), and the M1 Motorway (Dublin to Belfast) which is near to Dublin Airport. The tunnels measure 4.5 km (2.8 miles) in length. An important safety aspect is that there are Pedestrian Crossing Passages every 250 metres and Vehicle Crossing Passages every 1000 metres linked to the tunnels which are major exit routes in times of emergency. It was the major efforts of Dublin City Council on behalf of the National Roads Authority which resulted in the success of Dublin Port Tunnel.

Few Facts you didn’t know about the Dublin Port Tunnel (DPT):

1. After the Södra Länken in Stockholm, Sweden, the DPT is the second-longest urban motorway tunnel in Europe measuring 4.5 km (2.8 miles) in length.

2. Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) are toll- free.

3. Joint winner (with the recovery operation project for the World Trade Centre) in December 2003 of the British Geotechnical Association's international Fleming Award (BGA Fleming Award) for excellence in geotechnical design and construction.

4. The award was for the innovative 'observational approach' used in optimising the design of the tunnel launch shaft in Whitehall, and for the soil-nailed open-cut section of the works accommodating the northern cut and cover tunnel.


5. It was the major efforts of Dublin City Council on behalf of the National Roads Authority which resulted in the success of Dublin Port Tunnel.


Video clip of the bus journey through Dublin Port Tunnel:

Galway Trip 1: Galway Bay

Galway Trip 1: Galway Bay

Trip to Galway Bay


The afternoon we reached Galway Coach Station, our 'Tall and lean' friend, Mr. AJS drove us to his house, where our 'Crafty' Balto friend, Mr. KJR was preparing Vada and Chutney for us. What a welcome it was for us especially after our long and tired journey. Well, the journey was not so tiresome as we thought it would be because the City Links bus was really comfortable and we hardly felt like we were travelling on the road.

Historical Site- Galway Bay...

Anyway, that evening we visited Galway Bay. Geographically, Galway Bay is between Connacht in County Galway and The Burren in County Clare. In Galway City, you can actually see this bay from the bridge on the main road from Galway Coach Station to Galway City Center. As many locations in Ireland, this bay is also historical as it reminds you of the invading Spanish armies of the earlier centuries. Traditionally, Galway Bay is very famous for it's own unique Galway Hooker, a traditional sailing craft. Here, the bay houses all types of boats. Some boats were docked while many of them were out at sea mostly for fishing or sight seeing purposes. Across the deeper waters of the bay, there are many famous Irish islands. These are small islands and Galway Bay is the proud gateway to one of the world's most historically famous and beautiful island- 'The Aran Islands (Oileáin Árann, it's Irish name)!'

Welcoming sight for the Flatters!

We walked around the bay for some time just looking around and eyeing all the boats. At the end of the bay we stood on the steps that led down to the water level. Of course, we did'nt go down to the water level. On the side adjacent to the bay there's a big apartment where all the flatters (...heh, those who live in flats...) are sure to get the beautiful view from their balconies. Standing on the back side of the bay, you can see the other side of the bridge at the area on The Quays, where the Spanish Arch remains.

Digital Photography lessons at Galway Bay

Having spent time at the bay, we started to walk to the other side of the bridge where again the water was at a good view. There were many professional photographers and amateur photographers with their zoom lenses and tripods clicking the swans that were by the river banks below the Spanish Arch. There were also digital photography lessons being given to beginners as well. Finally our walk along Galway Bay was over. Well, this was a good evening and so we started off towards the Spanish Arch, which is above the banks of River Corrib (the river which is across The Claddagh).