Weekend Away...

"Laparisienne is not in fashion,

she is fashion"

                                    Arsene Houssaye

I had the chance to disappear this weekend.

We caught an early flight Friday morning and

arrived in a city celebrating.

Streets were closed for a parade; fans

crowded the shops and restaurants up and down

Michigan Avenue.

Thankfully we had a street savvy cabbie who

transported us to our hotel with minimal detours.

The question of the day...

"Are you here to celebrate the Blackhawks?"

"Ummm...not really."

Art, fashion and food are more to my liking.

Chicago didn't disappoint.

As the sun fell past the Chicago skyline we were  off to the

Art Institue for an evening of art and fashion.

Impression, Fashion, & Modernity.

"Were the Impressionists fashionistas?

And what role did fashion play in their goal to 

paint modern life with a "modern" style?"

"She could be pushed but never swayed  into wearing fewer bows."

This is an amazing exhibit mixing both the paintings by
the artist from the impression movement, and
many examples of similar dresses and accessories.

Photography was not allowed in the visiting
exhibit gallery, but we were allowed to take
photographs of the lovely models showing off the
contemporary and eclectic designs by ikram.
(iphone photography)

Every moment, an enjoyable treat. 

Are you are a fan of the Impressionist, Renoir, Monet,

Degas, Manet or my new favorite, James Tissot?

Take a tour.
And enjoy!

Let's Walk to Town

Oh it's not far,  just a kilometer or so down the road.

After a hearty Irish breakfast looking out over what was now called "our view" we decided to don the walking shoes and head down to the village of Enniskerry (Ford of the Stones).  The walk wasn't long and there were so many wonderful things to see along the way.

I am an explorer...

an adventurer.  

I cannot travel thinking only of the destination.

I am always a little nosy and not afraid to stop

to peer inside dwellings along the way.

I often venture off the charted path,

and I always stop to chat with the locals.

I breathe in what nature places in my path

The clock tower presented St. Patrick's Day 1843

knowing just around the turn I will come to where I belong.

   Beside a stony ford on the Cookstown River I found the charming village of Enniskerry.  A place described as a typical Irish village was first established in 1841 .   



And every cottage has a name.

Do matter what door we approached we were openly invited to enter. 
 Each question was eagarly answered.

I spent the day looking at buildings built so many years ago and still in use.

A place to read.

The Carnegie Library established by the Carnegie Trust in 1911.  It is still in use as a branch of the Wicklow County Library.

A place to gather.

Powerscourt Parochial Hall built in 1855 (a hundred years before I was born) is used for community activities.

A place to worship.

St. Mary's Parish Church.  Designed by Patrick Byrne, built on land donated by the 7th Viscount Powerscourt and consecrated 1860.

A place to purchase what is needed.

and...
 just in case you need a bit of refreshment.

A very nice wine shop if you desire something to take with you, and we did.

But if the need for something cool is immediate there is the town

Pub.

And you know the saying...

"When in Rome...."

We had such fun talking with the owner,  bartender and  waitress we were invited to return later in the evening to hear a "popular Irish band".  I said to the owner, " I do love Irish music".

"This is not you typical Irish music.  There are no fiddles.  There will be a bit of rebel music played", he replied.

I looked at him and smiled, "Oh I have a bit of the rebel in me".

We left and turned to walk back up to Powerscourt where we were expected for tea.

There was one place left to stop and explore,  St. Patrick's Parish Church.

Built of Wicklow granite with a copper spire, the Protestant Church built by the 7th Viscount was consecrated in 1863.

There is always time for walking around the cemetery.

"Pass on all's well"


We made it back to the hotel just in time to freshen up and join everyone for tea.

This was overflowing with savory bites.
Sweets to be delivered moments later.

Did we go back to the Pub, you ask?



Absolutely!

Slainte'!

Powerscourt

"What makes the gardens at Powerscourt so remarkable is their grandeur of scale combined, as so rarely happens, with great delicacy and refinement of detail.  Their setting is superb, but their design and execution are worthy of it.  Meticulously kept, every part of the gardens rewards the closest study.  Powerscourt is a magnificent example of an aristocratic garden laid out with taste, knowledge and imagination."  

Peter Coats ( "Great Gardens of the Western World")

A five minute walk from our hotel lead us to the Powerscourt house and garden.     

Originally built in 1300  the castle was remodeled in the 18th century by a well-known German architect Richard Castle, under the commission of Richard Wingfield.   The mansion was designed around the footprint of the original small castle.  The gardens, in the beginning, were laid out as parklands and terraces.  It was during the next century the gardens and landscape became the public gardens I had the opportunity to tour.

Here are a few things that caught my eye and imagination.

The Pepper Pot tower was built in 1911 to commemorate the visit of the Prince of Wales.

The view atop the tower was breathtaking.

The Viscount's private walk from the tower through the American garden of unique cypress trees led us into

the Japanese garden where we found

so many hidden spots to

 

to stop and meditate.

I loved this grouping of trees.  

I thought it looked quite mystical.  

I almost expected a fairy to flit about at any moment.

Just past the trees we happened upon a cemetery.  There were no graves of Viscounts or other royals.

This was the resting place for all the beloved pets, including a favorite cow who had cared for the family by giving them numerous gallons of milk.

Passing through the gate into the walled garden we found

the herbaceous border

and further in, the cutting gardens.

I loved looking up at all the chimneys as I exited back onto the terraces.

One of the many urns lining the Italian garden

In 1974 while refurbishing the house a fire broke out in the early morning hours.  Little could be saved other than the outer shell.  The roof and most of the rooms were destroyed.

The Powerscourt house is now the home of the Avoca cafe', bakery

I resisted but I don't know how

and shops specializing in unique Irish foods and designs.

I wanted to take this home.

What began as a short morning outing ended up being a day long excursion walking down paths and walkways created so long ago I truly cannot wrap my brain around it.  

These are the thoughts which stop me in my tracks and send me to the history books.

An Introduction

It is hard to believe that this time two weeks ago I was flying across the North Atlantic to begin my Ireland adventure.

The first three days of our trip were spent on the beautiful Powerscourt estate in the mountains of Wicklow.   As we entered the gate and began our drive into the property our driver gave us a brief history lesson of the area.  

Powerscourt was first established in the 12th century as an "important strategic site" by anglo-normans.  Named after the family, le Poer (Power) who held possession of the property and built the initial castle in 1300, the estate has passed through the hands of powerful families (O'Tooles and  FitzGeralds,  Earls of Kildare).   In 1603 the properties were given to Sir Richard Wingfield and remained with his descendants for over 350 years.  

 As our escort drove he spoke of Viscounts, castles, waterfalls, gardens and fires.  All of which I wanted to research further.

   Castles?  Gardens?  

My travel weary brain began stirring; I couldn't wait to exit the car to begin my adventure. 

 A late evening tour around the hotel gave me only a sample of what lie ahead. 

Lush gardens

I felt a little bit like "Alice in Wonderland"

An outdoor game of chess just waiting to be played...

if one could actually move the life size pieces.

A meditative walk around the labyrinth or 

maybe a just quiet stroll along a country road. 

How many pictures can you take of one view?  A lot!

No matter the time of day or the direction the feet carried me there were amazing views

to leave me speechless.

Sunset from my balcony.

I couldn't wait to go to bed just so I could wake up and begin exploring...

castles and gardens and a walk into the village.

Would there be time to see it all?

(all photographs  were taken by me)