Galway Teachers on
the Move
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| Pat stop tickling Phil! |
In May 50
members of our association visited the Irish National Stud, Japanese Gardens
and St. Fiachra’s Garden in Kildare. In 1566 Sir William Sarsfield acquired the
present estate and in1650 Patrick Sarsfield was born here. He fought at the Battle of the Boyne and the Siege of Limerick and went to France at the
head of the Wild Geese. He was eventually killed in France
and was reputed to have said when dieing “Oh that this blood was for Ireland.”
In 1900
Colonel William Hall Walker purchased the lands and commenced breeding
racehorses and turned it into one of the best studs in Europe.
In 1915 he presented the stud to the British Government and in 1922 the newly
formed Irish Government started to press their claim of the stud on the British
Government. In 1945 The Irish National Stud Company was formed. It is now a
source of National Pride and an international tourist attraction. Queen
Elizabeth on her historic visit to Ireland 2011 visited the stud. We got a
guided tour of the stud and we now know ‘the birds and the bees of horses!!’
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| My feet are killing me! |
Japanese Gardens
The gardens
are adjacent to the stud. Colonel William Walker was a wealthy Scotsman of a
famous brewery family and he commissioned Tassa Eida to design and lay out the
gardens (1906-1910). The significance of the gardens is not only artistic and
horticultural but also religious, philosophical and not least historical. The
symbolism of life the garden portrays, traces the journey of a soul from
Oblivion to Eternity. We crossed over the Bridge
of Life, entered the Tunnel of
Ignorance, climbed the Hill of Learning, entered the Island of Joy
and Wonder and finally sat on the Chair of Old Age! This garden, we all agreed,
is a haven of peace and tranquillity.
St
Fiachra’s Garden
St.Fiachra,
patron saint of taxi men and gardeners lived his life as a monk in Ireland and France. He encouraged his disciples
to devote themselves to manual labour, cultivating gardens and distributing
produce to the poor and pilgrims.
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| Best Friends - Phyllis and Maureen. |
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| On top of the world! |
The garden
seeks to capture the power of the Irish landscape in its rawest state, that of
rock and water and it presents to the visitor the natural environment which
inspired the spirituality of the 6th and 7th centuries
monastic movement in Ireland.
We walked over the Stone Bridge, through a Woodland Walk, entered the Monastic
Cells, viewed the Waterford Crystal Garden, marvelled at the serene statue of
St Fiachra seated on a rock peninsula and stood on top of the waterfall for a
group photograph. We found it difficult
to leave this magical place.
On arrival
at the stud we had a welcome cup of tea freshly baked scones, jam and cream
which fortified us for the tour ahead.
Newbridge
Silverware Visitor’s Centre
There is
just a short distance between the National Stud and Newbridge Silverware
Centre. The high light of our visit to the centre was a visit to the Museum of Style Icons a permanent exhibition
dedicated to design and style excellence. Included in this showcase are the artefacts and
garments associated with some of the most legendary Stars of the Silver Screen,
Royalty and Entertainment including: Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn, Grace
Kelly, Princess Diana, The Beatles, Marilyn Monroe, Michael Jackson Michael Flatley and many more. When you visit
don’t forget to look for a book of Jackie Kennedy’s dresses – magnificent!
We spent
money in the showrooms of Newbridge Jewellery and Silverware. It also sells
kitchenware, ceramics, giftware, and leather accessories. The history of this
remarkable company is on full display throughout the showrooms, making the
whole visitor experience more memorable.
The
restaurant attached to the showrooms served delicious hot and cold meals and
they have cakes that are not good for the waist line!
Kildare Village
Finally,
the day would not be complete without time to shop at Kildare Village
home to more than 60 boutiques, offering previous seasons’ collections with
savings of up to 60% all year round. Boutiques include Karen Millen, Louise
Kennedy, Jaeger, Polo Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, North Face, Cath Kidston to
name a few. It is a shopper’s paradise if you are a shopper.
We had a
very enjoyable day which catered for all our members’ interests.
Mary
Kyne