DCPC Chancel Choir gets a mention in Around Davidson

Check out this link to DavidsonNews.net and read about our trip in the Around Davidson Column.

http://davidsonnews.net/blog/2014/05/29/musical-notes/

Tom Carroll's photography is featured as well.  If you click on the photo at the top you'll go to a slide show that includes a few of his pictures.

Thanks Brenda!

Public Art in Ireland

Everywhere we went we saw interesting public art.  Much of it is quite modern in feel and so a real contrast to the ancient castles and cathedrals made of stone.  One that I found quite interesting was by the artist Pomodoro who is the creator of an art piece in downtown Charlotte.  You have probably seen the Il Grande Disco on Tryon St.

Sphere within Sphere by Pomodoro
Trinity College, Dublin

This structure is in the Rock Close at Blarney Castle.  It's not just about kissing the Blarney Stone!
http://www.blarneycastle.ie/pages/rock-close

IV-VI
9/11 memorial at St. Kevin's Church

The Famine- Dublin

Constructed of teak driftwood by Abdul Ghofur at National Stud

"The Quiet Man" was filmed in Cong.  It starred John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara
 who are  portrayed in this statue in Cong
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sE5-xWsklGo

Gardens in Dublin

Farewell to Ireland

Merry Ploughboy Pub

Last night in Dublin and Ireland. Good dinner at The Merry Ploughboy Pub and then Irish singing and dancing. A great end to a wonderful trip. DCPC choir got to sing for the audience one last time. Early trip to the airport tomorrow

More Dublin

Visited the Book of Kells exhibit at Trinity College: http://www.tcd.ie/Library/bookofkells/
Then we all were on our own to make our way around Dublin.

Ha'Penny Bridge

Famine

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Samuel Becket Bridge

Ha Penny bridge over the Liffey. The Famine, a sculpture to honor those who died or emigrated because of the potato famine.
Samuel Becket bridge. Shaped like an Irish Harp.

Out and about in Dublin

Dublin

I'm posting this early today. We have our last full day in Ireland quite full. I'll try to post some pictures as we go. Yesterday afternoon when we arrived in Dublin we went to St. Patricks Cathedral for Evensong. Lovely.
Today we are in walking distance of many interesting sites in Dublin including Trinity College where we'll see the Book of Kells. Tonight we have an Irish dinner and entertainment.
The weather changes frequently.

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Tuesday in Ireland

Already posted two sets of pictures from today. First we went to St. Kevin's Church where we gave our last concert and performed jointly with a local group called "Get Vocal". Then we visited a place called Brockagh Centre. We enjoined meeting the local people and were served a soup and sandwich lunch.
Then we went to Glendalough which is an ancient monastic and cathedral site. Glendalough means valley of the two lakes. http://www.glendalough.ie
And last we arrived in Dublin. More about that tomorrow.

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Glendalough

Glendalough: http://www.glendalough.ie

This is a really lovely ancient site.  Many old stone structures.  The original chapel is still standing without a roof.  In an old structure called St. Kevin's the choir sang "Danny Boy." The tour guide told us that no religious services of any kind are allowed at the site.  It's managed by the Office of Public Works (OPW) of the Republic of Ireland. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_of_Ireland 

St Kevin's

This is a memorial to "9-11".  The two standing stones represent the twin towers of the  World Trade Center- the one on the left is coming down.  Quite moving.  The people of Ireland were very much in sympathy with the USA on this tragic day. They also had a number of their own citizens who lost their lives that day.

This is the mid-19th century Church of St. Kevin.

Beautiful stained glass in St. Kevin.  We sang a concert here.

New friends in Ireland.

More new friends.

St. Canice's Cathedral

Tonight we sang our 3rd performance of our Ireland tour at the amazing St. Canice which was built between 1202 and 1285. It is the seat of the Bishop of Ossory. http://www.stcanicescathedral.com
All the churches where we performed were Church of Ireland which is a part of the Anglican Communion.
The organ is quite powerful and added to our performance.
Tomorrow we travel to Glendalough and then on to Dublin.

Kilkenny

Started the day with a visit to a radio station. Jane was interviewed and the choir sang. Then there were various activities without of the group touring Kilkenny Castle. http://www.kilkennycastle.ie Tonight we perform.

Blarney castle

Celtic crosses

From Rock of Cashel

From Killarney to Killenny

Today we left behind Killarney and traveled first to Blarney Castle and the focus stone. Many climbed the tower and kissed the stone. There were interesting gardens and opportunities for shopping. Then we traveled to The Rock of Cashel which is an amazing structure. Once the seat of an Irish King it has also served as an abbey and a cathedral. Truly an amazing structure. Hope to send pictures later. Tonight we are in Kilkenny.

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Concert in Killarney

Our second concert was tonight at St. Mary's Church of Ireland. The concert went well. It's a beautiful church and the organ is most unusual. Tomorrow we move on to Kilkenny.

Saturday in Ireland

We have had another wonderful day in Ireland. Mostly sunny for the 2nd day. We toured around Killarney and visited the Muckross House and Gardens. Then we drove along the Ring of Kerry and enjoyed the wonderful views including the Gap of Dunloe. We also visited a woolen mill and had some opportunities for shopping along the way.

Friday night

Heard some music at a local pub

Killarney

Made it to our hotel in Killarney where we'll spend 2 nights. Tomorrow we tour around The Ring of Kerry. Tomorrow night is our second concert. We'll perform at St. Mary's Church of Ireland.

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Busy Friday

Today we visited a castle. The Dunguaire castle was originally built in the 6th century.
Then we drove through the countryside called the burren.
A highlight of the day was a visit to the Cliffs of Moher. Some people spotted Puffins.
Another drive led to a ferry across the Shannon.