Friday 6/13:

We were up at 5:15 for a shower, coffee and juice. Caught a cab to the PADDY WAGON TOURS location.

This company caters basically towards young backpackers who stay in hostels. (dormitory style). We opted to pay extra and stay in Bed and Breakfasts.

We did the 6 DAY SOUTHERN TOUR

http://www.paddywagontours.com

From the Guinness Brewery, one of the worlds great visitor attractions to trendy, Gaelic speaking Galway on the wild Atlantic - ultra-chic, very European, yet totally Irish! Cliffs of Moher and the Ring of Kerry tour included. We proudly introduce you to the beauty that is Ireland.

An unbeatable 2 night stay in magical Killarney. A priceless opportunity to get to know the charming Irish people a little better! Rugged mountains, romantic sandy beaches and crystal cascades sparkle as the Paddywagon cruises into the lovely Dingle peninsula, you'll stay in our very own Irish pub, the Randy Leprechaun!!

Visit Cork, European city of Culture 2005. Kiss the nearby Blarney stone. One of our most popular tours with loads of repeat customers. This tour was broadcast on National Radio and Television and received rave reviews. Join the fun, join the Paddywagon. You'll remember this holiday to be sure, to be sure!

* Saint Michan's Church was built first in 1095 and dedicated to a Danish saint.

* The church was totally rebuilt (using the old foundations) in 1685.

* Renovations carried out in 1825 preserved the church but added some bland vistas as well.

* Händel is reputed to have played his "Messiah" first on the organ in Saint Michan's Church ... note the "trophy" from 1724.

* Stoker reputedly visited the vaults and took inspiration from the mummies - going off to write "Dracula".

* Do not confuse this Church of Ireland St. Michan's Church in Church Street with the Catholic St. Michan's in Halston Street!

Guide Review - Saint Michan's Church, Dublin

You are on historic ground here - Georg Friedrich Händel apparently belted his "Messiah" off the old organ for the first time here. Bram Stoker is reputed to have visited some deceased relatives and picked up a few ideas for his "Dracula".

http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/arts/story.html?id=dd5edd28-12c5-4e41-80b5-e483939b6a8c

Your guide will meet you in the church and then take you through the graveyard and down a steep flight of steps into the burial vaults underneath Saint Michan's Church. Dry as dust due to limestone walls, methane gas rising from the ground and a stable temperature. Which all combined means that nothing really rots down here. Coffins got stacked on top of each other, the weight occasionally being too much for the lower coffins. Leading to astonishing discoveries.

Pride of place has to go to the mummified bodies brought together in one room:

* The Unknown - as the name suggests an anonymous mummy;

* the Thief - a rather well-fed man in middle age, missing a hand;

* the Nun - a female reputed to have taken the vows ... and finally

* the Crusader - if you shake his hand you'll be lucky!

Never mind that historians dispute the true age of the Crusader, the excellent guide will have you convinced in seconds. He'll also detail the method of execution used on the Sheares brothers, Irish rebels buried a few feet away.

Though most visitors come for the mummies, do not miss the church. Highlights include a medieval bishop's effigy, a penitent's desk and the fabulous organ trophy.

As much as I told myself that it would be sacrilegious to touch the Crusader's finger, I found myself doing it.

Just a little of background on the guy. He was 6 ½ feet tall! 800 years ago, he would have been thought of as a giant.... literally.

In order to fit in the coffin, his legs were cut off at the knees, and then crossed on his body, depicting the Crucifixion of Christ.

Just a block away was the Jameson Irish Whiskey Distillery. We skipped the tour, as they're no longer producing their product at this location, but enjoyed sipping on a Reserve 12 year old that was available only at that location, as well as their Red Breast 12 year old. About 6 Euro per shot.

Left the distillery at 11:45 am. :)

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Of all of the Paddy Wagon stops, my 2 favorites were the little town of Annascaul on the Dingle Peninsula, and Galway, where they were celebrating the "NO VOTE".

If anybody has any questions, I'll be more than happy to try my best to answer.  You can download my report....which is very, very long, but thorough .

Sidz wrote:

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Nice report -- you have made me think about the Paddywagon approach. I've rented cars over there in the past, but sounds like this would be a fun thing to do with a few friends.

Welcome home -- and, I share your sentiments for Cork City. Not sure what anyone sees in that town with all the wonderful places to go in Ireland. The best thing about Cork is getting out of there.

-- Edited by Sidz at 14:55, 2008-06-30

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