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The Blackhawk Chorus,
London the
Capital City of England & the United Kingdom
Within a few years of invading Britain in 43AD the Romans had built forts and
towns across the land. They linked these outposts with a number of well
constructed roads, some of which had to cross a wide tidal river (Thames).
The Roman engineers eventually picked a crossing point from generally marshy
ground on the South bank (with islands of firm ground) to an area on the North
Bank situated on two low hills, these hills formed the highest and driest site
on the tidal river. At this point the Romans built their bridge and before
long a settlement grew up on the hills and then a City took shape, the Romans
called it Londinium. The landscape that greeted the Romans now lies deep
beneath the modern city, upto 8 metres deep, the reason, every new building over
the past 2,000 years was built on top of the rubble of the old. London Eye
Opened in January 2000 as a part of the Millennium celebrations it is 135mtrs
high and is the worlds highest observation wheel. The fourth tallest
structure in London. It is 35mtrs taller than Big Ben, 30 mtrs taller than St
Pauls, three times as high as Tower Bridge and a third taller than the Statue of
Liberty. The 360` rotation will take approx 30/35 minutes. The wheel
has 32 fully enclosed capsules holding up to 25 people each. From its highest
point passengers can see 25 miles in each direction on a clear day. Museum of London
Telling the story of London
from prehistoric times to the present day. Highlights include the Lord
Mayors Coach, together with artefacts, jewellery and furniture from all the
periods of occupation. Horse Guards Parade
The former tiltyard or
jousting field of Whitehall Palace, used for the ceremony of Trooping the Colour
each June to celebrate the Queens official birthday. The Horse Guards
building by which one enters the parade ground from the direction of Whitehall
was reconstructed in 1750 prior to which it was the gatehouse of the Palace of
Westminster. The horse mounted guards who stand duty under two archways
either side of the clock tower stand guard for just one hour at a time not all
day. The soldiers belong either to the Life Guards (red tunics & white
plumes) who formed the bodyguard for Charles I or the Royal Horse
Guards (blue with red plumes) who grew out of a regiment formed by Cromwell.
Both regiments now belong to the Household Cavalry which provides the Queens
Bodyguard on all state occasions. Houses of Parliament
The present building
occupies the site of the old Royal Palace. The oldest surviving part of
this palace is Westminster Hall (some of the walls dating back to 1097/99).
In 1840 Sir Charles Barry with the help of his eccentric assistant, Pugin began
building the neo Gothic new house which still graces Parliament Square.
Although it was badly bombed in 1941 the Commons Chamber was completely
destroyed, the new one was opened in 1950. As you look at the palace from
the square the commons are on the left and the lords on the right.
Standing a little to the left of the building is Westminster Hall. This
ancient hall is 290ft long, 68ft wide and 92ft high, it was built in 1097 by
William II and modernised by Richard II in 1399. It was here that Charles
I was condemned to death in 1649, Edward II abdicated in 1327, Oliver Cromwell
was installed as protector and the Guy Fawkes conspirators sentenced to death.
It was the centre of London life, a very public place in which to have sentence
passed. it remains lofty, beautiful, impressive and empty, the oldest part of
the palace and the most lovely. River Thames
One of the longest
rivers in England at 215 miles in length, it flows from its source near
Cheltenham to the sea through some of the most beautiful countryside before
becoming the main artery that the wealth of Britain has been bourn. No
river can have influenced a nations destiny more, from Roman times to the
present day. New Globe Theatre
Situated on the South
bank as close as possible to the site of the original Globe Theatre stands the
New Globe. Faithfully reconstructed to the Elizabethan design using the
same materials. The Globe now stands as a fitting memorial to Shakespears
work and also to the vision of the late actor/director Sam Wanamaker whose dream
it was to rebuild a theatre in the round.
Westminster Hall
This ancient hall is 290ft long, 68ft long and 92ft high. It was built in
1097 by William II and modernised by Richard II in 1399. It was here that
Charles I was condemned to death in 1649. Edward II abdicated in 1327.
Oliver Cromwell was installed as protector and the Guy Fawkes conspirators
sentenced to death. It was the centre of London life, a very public place
in which to have sentence passed. It remains lofty, beautiful, impressive
and empty, the oldest part of the palace and the most lovely. Cabinet War Rooms
In 1940 as the bombs rained
down on London, Winston Churchill, his Cabinet, his Chiefs of Staff and
intelligence chiefs were meeting below ground in a fortified basement in
Whitehall, later to be known as the Cabinet War Rooms. They offered
shelter in which to work, sleep and live for as long as necessary. When
the war ended the lights were switched off and the rooms left silent and
untouched for many years. The rooms were in operational use from 27th
August 1939 to the Japanese surrender in 1945 the war cabinet held more than 100
meetings in these somewhat cramped rooms. Without doubt some of the most
important decisions of the Second World War were taken here. Buckingham Palace
Until the 18th Century the
original site was occupied by Buckingham House which was bought by George III in
1762. When George IV acceded the throne in 1820 he commissioned John Nash
to build a palace fit for a King on the same site. Much of the original
structure and decoration survives to this day. Banqueting House
Completed
in 1622 and designed by Indigo Jones, it was the first building in London to
embody the classical Palladium style together with the use of Portland stone in
the construction. Built originally as a part of Whitehall Palace it was
the only building to escape the great fire which destroyed the Palace in 1698.
The main hall is 115ft long and 60ft wide but it is the ceiling which catches
the eye. Painted by Rubens for Charles 1st in 1629-34 it
depicts the Apotheoses of the Stuart Dynasty in nine panels, which should be
viewed from the far end of the room. In 1649 Charles 1st
stepped out of one of the windows of the hall on his way to the scaffold erected
outside in the yard, to his execution. Ironically Charles II celebrated
his restoration to the throne here 20 years later. Still used for state
banquets and official functions by the Government and the Queen.
British Museum
Founded in
1753, it is the oldest museum in the world. The original collection was
started by the physician Sir Hans Sloane but over the years it as been added to
many times over. The immense hoard of artefacts spans nearly 2 million
years of world history. It is stored in 94 galleries covering over 2 miles
of displays. Some of the treasures include Egyptian mummies, the
Mildenhall Saxon silver tableware found after being ploughed up in a Suffolk
field in 1942, Lindow man preserved in a bog since the first century AD, pottery
from Greece and Rome, Lindisfarne Gospels from the 7th Century, an
original copy of Magna Carta from 1215. Together with specimens from all over
the world which bring the very history of our civilisation alive. Covent Garden
Believed to have been
the Convent Garden of St Peters, Westminster, where the Monks sold surplus
vegetables. In 1638 the area was very residential developed by Indigo
Jones, with arcaded walks based on the Piazza D` Arme at Livorno. In 1671
by right of charter it became a small market which gradually filled the Piazza.
In 1830 the 6th Duke of Bedford rebuilt it in its present form. It became
the largest fruit, vegetable and flower market in the country. Since the
market moved South of the river the area has been redeveloped. Still
keeping the magnificent canopy and many of the buildings from the early 1800s.
the area is now well known for its restaurants, shops, market stalls and of
course the Royal Opera House. The Theatre Royal Drury Lane, London
Transport Museum, Theatre Museum and much, much more. 10 Downing Street
Has been the official
residence of the Prime Minister since Sir Robert Walpole, the first Prime
Minister lived here in 1732. The street was named after its builder, Sir
George Downing. The iron gates were erected for security reasons in 1989. St. Paul's Cathedral, London
The original Cathedral was
built on Ludgate Hill by the Anglo Saxons in 604A.D. built of wood it burnt down
and was rebuilt on a number of occasions. The present Cathedral was
started by Sir Christopher Wren in 1675 and it took 35 years to build. The
Cathedral was damaged during the Second World War with bombs falling through the
roof and destroying the alter and one damaging the North transept. A
famous picture taken at the time shows the cathedral surrounded by fire and
smoke and through the gloom appearing unscathed the dome of St Pauls rising
dominantly and defiantly from the inferno below, a source of inspiration to the
whole country in its hour of need. In the crypt lie buried, Wren, Nelson,
Wellington and
many other famous British people. The peel of 12 bells is outstanding and
the choir of 38 boys and 18 men maintain a very proud tradition. Westminster Abbey
Legend has it that the
first Church built on Thorney Island in the Thames was built by King Segbert in
the 7th Century, there is also mention of a Charter from King Offa of
Mercia to the people of Westminster granting land. We also have a Charter from
King Edgar in the 10th Century for the restoring of the Benedictine
Abbey. It is also written that a substantial foundation existed in Westminster
when King Edward the Confessor became King in 1042. We do know that Edward
started to build a Church here close to the previous building and it was
consecrated on 28th December 1065. Eight days later Edward died and
he was buried in front of the high altar. Tower of London
Built by William the
Conqueror because he did not trust his new people. Over the years it has
been a garrison, armoury, prison, royal mint and royal palace. Among well known
heads that have rolled or languished in the tower were Kings of Scotland, France
and England. Lady Jane Grey, Duke of Monmouth, Queen Elizabeth for six
months, Sir Walter Raleigh and many more. There is even a gate directly
off the river called traitors gate. Southwark Cathedral
Hiddern away beneath the
modern arches and bridges of busy London. This jewel is known as “Londons
hidden glory” Londons oldest Cathedral. The doomsday book records that in
Anglo Saxon times a Monasterium was situated on this site, some recent
excavations have unearthed some Roman remains but the origins of the church
unfortunately are lost in the mists of time. The church was rebuilt in
1106 and was closely linked to the Bishops of Winchester. The present
choir was constructed in the 13th Century, the tower in the 14th and the altar
screen in the 16th Century. It finally became a Cathedral in 1905 to serve
what was a growing population on the South bank. Blenheim Palace
The home of the present
11th Duke of Marlbrough. The first Duke John Spencer gave battle to the
Frence and Bavarian forces at the village of Blenheim in 1704. He took a
force of 50,000 men on a 600 mile march to the Danube were the enemy was waiting
in a strong position. By tactical brilliance and by the personal
inspiration he gave his troops, he achieved a great victory. When he
returned to England he was created a Duke and granted the Royal Manor of
Woodstock with a promise that a sumptuous palace should be paid for by a
grateful country. The architect of Blenheim Palace was John Vanbrugh who
worked with Nicholas Hawksmoor on both Blenheim and Castle Howard in Yorkshire.
Marlborough went on to other famous victories at Ramillies, Oudenarde and
Malplaquet. The Palace was built between 1705 & 1722, it is set in over
2,000 acres of parkland (landscaped by Capability Brown) Blenhalm Palace is the
birthplace of Sir Winstone Churchill who was born here on the 30th November
1874. Bibury
Best seen in the fading
light of a warm summer evening, the houses of golden stone many with cottage
gardens facing the River Coln. William Morris described Bibury as the most
beautiful village in England. Sit on the wall by the river watch the trout
running in the crystal clear water and across on the island a protected nature
reserve with wild duck and many species of bird. Cirencester
The Capital of Dobuni
when as Corinium Dobunorum in 43A.D. it became one of the chief Roman
administration centres for South West of England. In the 4th Century with
the withdrawal of the Romans the town went into decline until an Anglo Saxon
town was built. It slowly regained its importance with the development of
sheep rearing on the rich Cotswold meadow lands. The wealth from the wool
trade was tremendous, so much so that the merchants of the town were able to
build one of the greatest wool churches in the town. The 15th Century St
John the Baptist Church with its superb tower and three storied fan vaulted
porch. It has been judged one of the most beautiful perpendicular churches
in England. The Cotswolds
Developed from the
Anglo Saxon words Cot and Wold, Cot meaning sheep pen. Wold meaning high windy
ground, that certainly can describe the area well, especially in the winter.
The soil is poor on the Wolds and not a lot of it but a great area for rearing
sheep. Hence the numerous villages with lovely churches (known as wool
churches) built by wealthy landowners centuries ago. The area is also
famous for the Cotswold stone a soft stone which yellows with age. Many
cottages will be seen built of Cotswold stone. Cardiff
The capital city of
Wales boasts a castle with 1,900 years of history first built by the Romans,
some of the 10ft thick walls still remain. The Normans came and built
their castle which has been in continuous occupation ever since. Some of
the area surrounding the castle is now occupied by a superb modern shopping
centre. Hundreds of acres of parkland situated right in the city centre,
museums, the civic centre, University of Wales. St Davids Hall, a 2,000 seat
concert and conference centre. To take the city into the millennium the
new Cardiff Bay project, a redevelopment of the old Cardiff docks area. The Welsh Valleys
Historically the Coal Mining, Iron Ore and Steel producing area of South
Wales. In 1920 there were 256,000 people working in the 620 coal mines of
the Valleys, producing a third of the worlds coal. After WWII these
industries entered a steep decline with cheaper imports and then following the
miners strikes of the 1980's the government forced the closer of the remaining
pits as they were not economical to run and by 1994 only one coal mine remained
open. The Valleys, as the name implies are an area
of deep sided glacial valleys running from the Brecon Beacons 30 miles from the
cost, these valleys flow like fingers towards the sea. With few roads
leading between the valleys over the mountains the main links are at the heads
of the valleys or down in the lowlands near the coast. This is great
walking and and adventure sports country and the Military use the area
extensively for training. One of the things
the Welsh Valleys are famous for are their Male Voice Choirs, known through out
the world the deep voices are said to come from the coal dust that historically
filled the air of the valleys. Wexford The area has been inhabited since at least 5,000 b.c. and stone age tools cab be seen in the local museum. Christianity was established early in the 5th Century by St Ibar who founded a monastery on Beg Erin in Wexford harbour. Viking raiders plundered the monastery in 819 a.d. but later returned and set up a small town which developed into Wexford. The word Wexford is taken from the Norse word "meaning the bay of mud flats". Wexford's first charter was granted in 1317. The history of the town is associated with the sea and today the fishing boats still tie up at the quay. Irish
National Heritage Park
Journey through
time visiting 14 historical sites depicting mans first settlements in Ireland.
Following over 9,000 years of Irish history and heritage. From the stone
age 7,000 BC to the Norman period around 1,200 AD Waterford Crystal The
name of the finest crystal in the world.
The
history started as long ago as 1783 and between this time and 1851 the pieces
produced
are priceless.
Today
the factory is situated on the outskirts of the city and covers over 40 acres.
The
crystal produced here is exported all over the world and is rightly ranked as
the best in the world. Waterford City
The
history of Waterford
city is inexplicably entwined with the history of county
Waterford
itself. Waterford
city is Norse,
the Norsemen
had reconnoitred the navigable stretches of
Co.
Waterfords
inlets and rivers as early as the 8th century.
In 1169 and 1170 the
Norse
were defeated by the
Normans
at Baginbun
and the city withstood one of the great sieges of
Irish
history as the Norsemen
under O`Faolain
fought to hold their
Byzantium.
It
was not to be and on
August
25th 1170 they lost the day, a new age had arrived.
The
city was now in the hands of the
Norman
named Strongbow.
King
Henry
II
was very alarmed at this new
Norman
Kingdom
in his rear.
So
he landed with a huge army in 1171 and declared
Waterford
a Royal
City
and tradition has
it that the city remained loyal right though to the 16th
Century.
In
the years following the
Henry
landings Waterford
saw a veritable pageant of armies being sailed up
Waterford
harbour, taking advantage of the wide sea lanes into the
Irish
hinterland. Waterford
has now become one of
Irelands
major ports and merchant centres, an enclave as it was almost in the
Viking
centuries.
As
justice demands Old
Waterford
is discovered and savoured in the area of its early foundation, the city around
Reginalds
Tower,
this wonderful area of little streets, memories and relics houses the remnants
of a millennium and it might be the more prudent to select each century for its
story rather than each building for there is a surfeit of interest which only
the most comprehensive guidebook can satisfy.
Waterford Cathedral
Christ
Church Cathedral Waterford is built on a site of Christian worship which dates
back to 1050. The first worshippers were probably Vikings who had given up
their pagan ways and become Christian. The Normans followed who built a
new Gothic Cathedral in 1210. By 1773 the city corporation decided that
the old Cathedral looked a little old fashioned so instructed that a new one
should be built. What we have today is this new Cathedral and is described
by many as one of the finest 18th Century Ecclesiastical building in
Ireland. Blarney Castle
Built approx
1446 by the then King of Munster, Dermont, one of the most eminent of Maccarthy
Chieftains. the castle remained in the family until 1689. when having supported
King James and lost, the family were forced to leave the castle never to return.
two new owners then come and went before being bought by Sir James Jefferyes
Governor of Cork in 1703.the castle has remained in his family ever since.
The castle of course is famous for kissing the stone, the stone forms the sill
of one of the Machicolations of the castle. We know it is everyone's
ambition to kiss the stone it was once a dangerous undertaking but bars are now
in place to render the undertaking less risky. The gift of eloquence is now
yours. Blarney Woollen Mills Cork
A city which grew out of a
medieval marsh and whose fabric was woven round and over the river which the
first settlement sprang. The second city of the republic with a population
of approx 150,000 people. It is of course built upon a river with the
centre actually built on an island in the River Lee just upstream from the
harbour. Most of the main city area dates back to the 1750s although older
parts of the city from medieval times can be found. Although a major city
Cork still manages to retain it`s pleasant atmosphere and friendliness.
You need to try and visit the English market and also the Quakers meeting house
in Grattan street, where William Penn embraced the creed before going off to the
new world to found Pennsylvania. Ring of Kerry
To
obtain a really panoramic view of
Kerry's
most outstanding scenery, this tour is a must!
Extending
for 112 miles and usually done in an anti clockwise direction, it follows the
coastline of the Iveragh
Peninsula,
along the banks of the
River
Laune
to Killorglin,
via Glenbeigh,
along the southern shores of
Dingle
Bay
to Kells
and Caherciveen
where Valentia
Island
comes into view. The
tour continues to Waterville
and along the coast via
Coomakista
pass and Derrynane
and onto Sneem.
From
Sneem
to Kenmare
and up the mountain road to
Moll`s
gap, then ladies view and back to
Killarney.
Waterville
The town nestles between Lough Currane and the Atlantic and is a world famous
game fishing resort. Fine scenery and many good beaches in the area.
Well loved by artists, archaeologists, botanists in fact everyone. Also
claims a world renown 18 hole golf course.
Sneem
Situated in a beautiful location on the estuary of the Arsheelaun River, Sneem
is a past winner of the Irish National tidy Towns competition. A colourful
village and last resting place of Cearbhall 0`Dalaigh a former President who his
buried in the local Churchyard
Valentia
The Island is approx 11kms long by 3kms wide and is one of the most Westerly
points of Europe. The surface is rugged and rocky but does provide good
sea angling. The first telegraph cable (now superseded) across the
Atlantic from U.S.A. came ashore here in 1858.
Cathersiveen
The capital
town of the peninsula situated at the head of Valentia harbour on the Fertha
river, the town is the main shopping area for this end of the ring. In
1867 the great Fenian conspiracy led to an abortive rising here against the
British. It was planned to occupy the barracks and then the cable station
in Valentia and from there inform a startled world that the Irish Republic had
been proclaimed in Cathersiveen, but circumstances proved adverse. Killarney
Renown for its beauty,
famed for the splendour of its scenery, Killarney is one of the world`s best
loved tourist spots. It became a significant town about 1750 when the
local magnate, Lord Kenmare, developed the tourist business and four main roads
were built to the outside world. The present population is approx 9,000
and the main economic base is tourism. The great assets of Killarney are
the lakes, mountains and woods, although scattered and difficult to get around
they are so very beautiful. Situated in the South Western corner of
Ireland with its three great lakes reflecting the ever changing skies, it has
been an inspiration for poets, writers and painters for centuries. Cashel
Originally the Fort of
Munster and once capital of the southern province. The town is completely
dominated by the very famous Rock of Cashel which rearing up from the plain
dominated the land routes to the south. Kings of Ireland came to this spot
together with St Patrick who preached here. On this limestone outcrop
stands the most beautiful and complete Romanesque church in the country. a
medieval Cathedral, a castle tower house, a round tower and a 15th century hall
of vicars, all of the finest medieval Irish architecture. The Hall of
Vicars was built in the 15th century to cater for eight vicars who assisted in
the cathedral services. The Cormacs chapel was built circa 1127, a
superb Romanesque church, the architecture as clear continental influences.
The Cathedral built circa-1227 Anglo Norman in conception, it has Gothic
arches but without doubt it is a purely Irish built unit. The central
tower is excitingly grand but did not appear till the early 14th century.
The Round Tower is without doubt the earliest building on the rock probably
dating back to the 12th century although locals suggest even earlier circa
10th century Dublin
Even in 140 a.d. Ptolemy
observed that Eblana was a place of note, Ptolemy refers to the River Liffey as
Oboka, meaning a delta. It was however not until 840 a.d. that Norse sea
rovers landed here and built a base for their maritime expeditions that the area
really began to develop as a town. The history of the area is really tied
to the history of Ireland, never really settled, just like the name, the Irish
called it Duibhlinn, the Norse called it Dyfflin, and the Anglo Normans Dublinne
from which the present name derives. A city steeped in history, it as fine
wide streets, squares and parks with wonderful examples of Georgian
architecture. Visit
Trinity
College to see the famous book of Kells and if
time allows while at St Patrick`s Cathedral visit Marsh`s library. St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin
Dedicated in
1192, the Cathedral was originally built by the Norman, Archbishop Comyn.
This early Norman church was rebuilt in the first half of the 13th Century, the
building we see today. Many interesting aspects to see, including the
Medieval Chapter House door with an hole in it dating from 1492. It gives
rise to the English phrase "chancing your arm".
The Earl of Kildare cut the hole and through it stretched out his arm to grasp
the hand of his enemy the Earl of Ormond. By taking the initiative peace
was restored between them and ever since the door as been known as the door of
reconciliation.
Handels Messiah received its first performance in
Dublin in 1742 sung by the combined choirs of St Patrick`s & Christ Church
Cathedral`s. Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin
Dublin’s oldest
building dating back to 1172. Built by the Norman Richard De Clare (better
known as Strongbow). However most of the building you see now is very
Victorian after a restoration in the 1870s. The Medieval crypt is original
and runs the entire length of the Cathedral. Some architectural features
and stone carvings exist from the 12th also some 13th
Century tiles. The Choir School was founded in 1480 and is famous for
taking part in the world’s first performance of Handel’s Messiah. Trinity
College
Founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth 1st. It played a major role in the
development of an Anglo-Irish tradition. Many families sending their sons
to be educated here rather than in England. Until recently it had a strong
Protestant bias. When it was founded it offered Catholics free education
if they would change their religion. In fact right up to 1966, Catholics
had to get a special dispensation to study at Trinity or risk excommunication. Book of Kells
The
library houses one of Irelands real treasures, an illuminated manuscript called
the book of Kells. Illuminated manuscripts are derived from the Celtic
ecclesiastical tradition of Saint Columba. whose teachings spread not only
through Ireland but Scotland and Northern England, together with areas of
mainland Europe. No one is quite sure if the book was copied and
illuminated in Ireland, it may have been completed in Scotland on the Isle of
Iona or even in England at Lindisfarne. What we do know for sure is that
the book was taken to the monastery of Kells in Co Meath for safe keeping during
the Viking raids of the 9th Century. After this unsettled
period in Irish history the book spent some time buried underground, lost some
30 of its page and was not bought to Dublin till sometime in the 17th
century. The book now consists of some 680 pages written in Latin and
follows the four gospels of the new testament. It was rebound into four
separate volumes in 1950 and one now has the chance to see at least two volumes
on show at any one time. one showing an illuminated page and another a page of
text. Guinness Storehouse
The storehouse was
a Guinness fermentation tank from 1904 to 1988, it is now a 7 storey visitor
centre, located in the heart of the world famous St James Gate Brewery. If
full this tank would hold 14,300,000 pints of the black stuff. Town of Kells
A
place of history, the original Monastery was founded by St Columba in the Sixth
Century and from the early Ninth Century it was probably the leading Columban
Monastery in Ireland. The Monks from the original foundation on Iona fled
here after repeated raids by the Vikings on their Scottish home. It is
thought they actually made the book of Kells on Iona and bought it
with them when they moved here. By the 12th Century continued
raids by Vikings and then Normans eventually made up the minds of the Monks to
move again and they left Kells and made their way to Derry where they set up a
new headquarters. Eventually by the time of the dissolution very little
remained at Kells. But do look round the village and church yard, many
Monastic antiquities remain including some very special crosses dating back
hundreds of years.
Trim Village &
Castle
Plenty to see in
this little village on the banks of the River Boyne. The Castle used as a
location for the Mel Gibson film Braveheart. The first castle on the site
was a simple Mott & Bailey type in 1173 but this was replaced in the 1190s and
eventually grew into the finest and largest Anglo-Norman Castle in Ireland.
King John did stay at Trim in 1210 and Richard II incarcerated his ward Prince
Henry of Lancaster (later Henry IV) here for some time. The curtain wall
of 488 yards encloses a area of approx 3 acres. There are 10 D shaped
towers and a square keep of over 70ft in height and walls that are over 11 feet
thick. Much in ruin now but the look and feel is very much of a typical
English Medieval Castle. Trinity
College
Founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth 1st. It played a major role in the
development of an Anglo-Irish tradition. Many families sending their sons
to be educated here rather than in England. Until recently it had a strong
Protestant bias. When it was founded it offered Catholics free education
if they would change their religion. In fact right up to 1966, Catholics
had to get a special dispensation to study at Trinity or risk excommunication. Hotels
Park Plaza Westminster Bridge
Hotel, London
Situated on the South
Bank of the Thames at the end of Westminster Bridge, directly opposite the
Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. You really can not get must more central
in London. The hotel only opened in 2010 and boasts 5 restaurants and
bars, a health spa with 15metre pool and 24 hour gym access and free WiFi
through out the hotel.
St Pierre Hotel, Newport,
Wales
More than just a Hotel, set in 400 acres of picturesque parkland this 14th
Century Manor house is also a one of Wales's foremost Golf and Country club's.
Including Fitness Club,
Swimming pool, Tennis courts and Jogging Trail. Each room has Tea/Coffee
making facilities, TV, hair dryer, Iron and WiFi
Talbot Hotel,
Wexford, Republic of Ireland
An
extremely nice four star hotel with all en-suite rooms.
Health centre with heated swimming pool, lovely Restaurant and Bar. Situated in the centre of the town.
River Lee Hotel, Cork,
Republic of Ireland
Four star hotel
on the banks of the River Lee in the centre of Cork, Health Spa & Fitness
Centre with heated 18 metre swimming pool, Weir Bistro and Bar. Complimentary
Internet Access.
Conrad Hotel,
Dublin, Republic of Ireland
Five Star Luxury Hotel in the
Heart of Dublin,
situated around the corner from St Stephens Green. With its own
restaurant, The Alex, which specialises in Seafood dishes and the Alex Cocktail
Bar, also the hotel has its own Irish Pub, "Alfie Bryne's" popular with the
locals as well as guests.
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