Sunday 21 June

Overcast, cool but no rain. Warms up in the afternoon.

We start with an optional tour to the ancient monastic site at Glendalogh (Glenn dá loch in Irish). A lovely drive and a peaceful place to visit.

This is followed by a bus tour of Dublin and a guided tour of The Castle (not really a castle). We then have free time. Tina and I go to the Post Office – the hq of the 1916 rebellion. There are still bullet holes in the columns.

Statues to famous people all over. I am particularly impressed by the words on trade union leader Jim Larkin’s statue: “The great appear great because we are on our knees. Rise up.” Hear, hear!

At 3.42pm in Dublin Tina announces “I don’t want any more clothes!” I wonder how long this will last?

Tonight we go to an Irish dinner/cabaret in Taylors Three Rock. Impressive singers, musicians, dancers and comedian (Noel V Ginnity – been with the show over 30 years!). Here are some of his gems.

One liner: When you buy a cured ham do you ever wonder what was wrong with it?

Sean’s young son was asking his dad questions, “Dad, was I with you on your honeymoon?
Sean replies “You went with me, son, but you came home with your mother”

Paddy goes into the grocery store and buys a small can of peas, 2 potatoes, 1 carrot, 4 brussel sprouts and 1 chop. He takes his items to the girl behind the counter. She says “I see you live alone.”
Paddy says “I bet you worked that out because of the small quantities I bought”
“No”, she said “It’s because you’re ugly”

Murphy decides to swim from Dublin to Liverpool return. The Dublin to Liverpool leg takes him 15 hours, 26 minutes and 14 seconds. The Liverpool to Dublin return swim takes him 3 minutes and 26 seconds. His jockstrap was still attached to Dublin pier.

Casey goes to the doctor for a check-up. The doctor tells him that it’s bad news – Casey only has 2 or 3 months to live.
“Sweet Jesus doc” says Casey, “Is there anywhere I can go, anything I can do, anyone I can see to help me?”
“No” says the doctor, “but you could start taking mud baths.”
“Will that help me?” asks Casey.
“No, but it will get you used to the dirt.”