Ireland Trip - Day Five
Day Five was the Big Day - day of the wedding! Our original plan was to wake up super early and check out Newgrange, which is Ireland's most famous prehistoric site, and then head to the wedding. We got up a bit later than we wanted to, and when we got to Newgrange, which was about an hour away from Dublin, we discovered you're supposed to allot enough time for a 3 hour tour. We didn't have enough time, since the wedding was at 1 p.m., so we decided to return to Newgrange the following day instead.
So, we took our time driving over to Cabra Castle, which is located in King's Court, about an hour away from Newgrange. On our way there, we tried to find a place to stop for breakfast or lunch, but sadly nothing really seemed open so we had to settle for some chips and a chocolate bar from the gas station. Breakfast of champions.
Anyway we finally made it to Cabra Castle at around noon. The castle was gorgeous. We headed to the lobby area to check in. The receptionist was surprised that we were there so early and said everyone else was expected to check in around 3 p.m. We thought that seemed strange, considering the wedding started at 1 p.m., but figured, well, people must be coming dressed already. Luckily, she said, there was a clean room available so she gave us an old fashioned key (no electronic hotel cards here), and pointed us towards the courtyard rooms.
When we first pulled up to our room, we spotted a gigantic dog, like nothing we'd ever seen. Seriously, this dog was the size of a pony. Turns out his name was Oscar, and he belonged to the castle. He's an Irish Wolfhound. He ignored us.
I don't seem to have a good pic of the courtyard area where our room was located but here are some pics of our room - I felt like a princess!!
View from patio door of room.
We got donned up with in our fancy clothes, and went back to the reception area to find out where to go to for the wedding ceremony.
Turns out - the church was an hour away!!! Pete had always talked about the wedding being at Cabra Castle, and they do perform weddings at the castle, but Pete and Niamh were actually getting married at a church outside Dublin. And, being the geniuses that we were, we never bothered to check the invite. (I can just hear the collective "Oh Sareet...." and murmurs of "typical" from my family as they read this.) And there was no point going to the church because by the time we'd get there, we'd just have to turn back around to the castle for the reception. So we text messaged Pete to explain the mess-up, sat and grumpily stared at each other, dismayed by our stupidity, and then finally decided to make the most of it, since we had two hours to kill. So we headed down to the restaurant/bar area to get something to eat. And took a bunch of pictures the beautiful castle along the way.
The castle was nothing short of spectacular. We learned later that Pete and Niamh had to book two years in advance and even then the only two dates available was the Thursday they chose, or another day in September. But they chose a great day - the weather was really just perfect.
So despite the fact that we missed the ceremony, it turned out to be a very nice two hours. The weather was fantastic, and the place was very relaxing. We had a nice lunch and a few drinks out on the patio you see above, and sat back to enjoy the moment.
I had the Irish smoked salmon with capers on brown bread with a glass of wine (came in its own minibottle - when you order wine anywhere in Ireland it ALWAYS comes in a little mini bottle - so cute!) Max had a chicken wrap of some kind with a beer. Excellent lunch all around.
The two fucktards of the year...
View from where we were sitting on the patio.
Where the dinner took place.
Wedding guests and party finally arriving!
Max and the beautiful bride.
Wedding guests.
I tried to get pic of this lady and the feathers on her head. Had I known the Irish wear feathers on their head, I would have certainly picked up some!
Our huge dinner - I could barely make a dent in it!
I haven't had a chance to mention that when you order a mixed drink in Ireland, the mixer doesn't come out of a squirt gun. Instead you get a little mini-bottle of the mixer. I wasn't really in the mood for a vodka tonic, but got one just for the bottle. Of course, they do pass along the costs.
Max doing his little baring-teeth-smile and Pete
Later in the evening, all the men had to pay 10 euros to dance for about 20 seconds with the bride.
The whole night was really fun. As soon as it got dark, Pete had a "surprise" for his wife and ushered everyone outside. Turns out he had arranged for a beautiful fireworks show. Awww....
Then the music started at everyone got on the dance floor to boogey. And really, they do Riverdance in Ireland.
Max and I finally called it quits at around 1:30 a.m. The next day we heard the party went on until 7:30 a.m. for some!
So, we took our time driving over to Cabra Castle, which is located in King's Court, about an hour away from Newgrange. On our way there, we tried to find a place to stop for breakfast or lunch, but sadly nothing really seemed open so we had to settle for some chips and a chocolate bar from the gas station. Breakfast of champions.
Anyway we finally made it to Cabra Castle at around noon. The castle was gorgeous. We headed to the lobby area to check in. The receptionist was surprised that we were there so early and said everyone else was expected to check in around 3 p.m. We thought that seemed strange, considering the wedding started at 1 p.m., but figured, well, people must be coming dressed already. Luckily, she said, there was a clean room available so she gave us an old fashioned key (no electronic hotel cards here), and pointed us towards the courtyard rooms.
When we first pulled up to our room, we spotted a gigantic dog, like nothing we'd ever seen. Seriously, this dog was the size of a pony. Turns out his name was Oscar, and he belonged to the castle. He's an Irish Wolfhound. He ignored us.
I don't seem to have a good pic of the courtyard area where our room was located but here are some pics of our room - I felt like a princess!!
View from patio door of room.
We got donned up with in our fancy clothes, and went back to the reception area to find out where to go to for the wedding ceremony.
Turns out - the church was an hour away!!! Pete had always talked about the wedding being at Cabra Castle, and they do perform weddings at the castle, but Pete and Niamh were actually getting married at a church outside Dublin. And, being the geniuses that we were, we never bothered to check the invite. (I can just hear the collective "Oh Sareet...." and murmurs of "typical" from my family as they read this.) And there was no point going to the church because by the time we'd get there, we'd just have to turn back around to the castle for the reception. So we text messaged Pete to explain the mess-up, sat and grumpily stared at each other, dismayed by our stupidity, and then finally decided to make the most of it, since we had two hours to kill. So we headed down to the restaurant/bar area to get something to eat. And took a bunch of pictures the beautiful castle along the way.
The castle was nothing short of spectacular. We learned later that Pete and Niamh had to book two years in advance and even then the only two dates available was the Thursday they chose, or another day in September. But they chose a great day - the weather was really just perfect.
So despite the fact that we missed the ceremony, it turned out to be a very nice two hours. The weather was fantastic, and the place was very relaxing. We had a nice lunch and a few drinks out on the patio you see above, and sat back to enjoy the moment.
I had the Irish smoked salmon with capers on brown bread with a glass of wine (came in its own minibottle - when you order wine anywhere in Ireland it ALWAYS comes in a little mini bottle - so cute!) Max had a chicken wrap of some kind with a beer. Excellent lunch all around.
The two fucktards of the year...
View from where we were sitting on the patio.
Where the dinner took place.
Wedding guests and party finally arriving!
Max and the beautiful bride.
Wedding guests.
I tried to get pic of this lady and the feathers on her head. Had I known the Irish wear feathers on their head, I would have certainly picked up some!
Our huge dinner - I could barely make a dent in it!
I haven't had a chance to mention that when you order a mixed drink in Ireland, the mixer doesn't come out of a squirt gun. Instead you get a little mini-bottle of the mixer. I wasn't really in the mood for a vodka tonic, but got one just for the bottle. Of course, they do pass along the costs.
Max doing his little baring-teeth-smile and Pete
Later in the evening, all the men had to pay 10 euros to dance for about 20 seconds with the bride.
The whole night was really fun. As soon as it got dark, Pete had a "surprise" for his wife and ushered everyone outside. Turns out he had arranged for a beautiful fireworks show. Awww....
Then the music started at everyone got on the dance floor to boogey. And really, they do Riverdance in Ireland.
Max and I finally called it quits at around 1:30 a.m. The next day we heard the party went on until 7:30 a.m. for some!
posted by S at 10:32 AM
8 Comments:
Gosh Sareet, you are determined to make every event into an "I Love Lucy " episode...from riding a bike to attending a "church" wedding.
Next time don't yell at me when I call a trillion times to remind you of bringing passport, keys, contact lens, socks......etc. etc. etc....... I have good reasons for doing that, Lucy!!
Oh Ga-Tse!!!!!
-"Rudy"
Hehe. I knew you two would react that way!
The reception looks beautiful! It sorta sucks, and it's also sorta funny, that you went all the way to Ireland for a wedding...and missed the ceremony.
But at least you made the attempt. And you had an awesome time, and saw some beautiful things!
Yeah, I agree elliot. We were really mad at ourselves, and at the same time recognized how funny it was. I am glad that we made it to the reception though - between the two, I much prefer the reception part of weddings than the ceremony part!
Hehe--me too. Even of my own. The reception was really fun!
**I** want a castle! (insert foot stomping and whine noise....)
Ireland is really a beautiful and amazing place to have a wedding or to enjoy family holidays.
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