Fan’s Cantonese Restaurant
* 60 Dame Street * DUBLIN 2, Ireland * 01 6794263 *
A higher end costing Cantonese restaurant, there was an affordable lunch special that we did imbibe. The food was decent, the place seemed clean, and the service was good. The ambiance was more lush than a typical Cantonese restaurant. Oddly they served french fries with my friends sweet n’ sour dish. Thought that was strange. Rating: 3 stars out of 5.

Dublina Viking & Medieval History Museum
* http://www.dublinia.ie/ * St Michaels Hill * Christchurch, Dublin 8, Co. Dublin, Ireland * 01 679 4611 *
Located within and connected to the infamous Christ Church Cathedral of Dublin (a.k.a. “The Cathedral of the Holy Trinity”) is now one of Dublin’s most spectacular and interactive museums/tourist attractions. Christ Church is the elder of Dublin’s two medieval cathedrals, next to St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Christ Church is officially claimed as a set of both the Church of Ireland and the Roman Catholic archbishops in Dublin. The Museum and Cathedral sits in the former heart of medieval Dublin next to WOod Quay at the end of Lord Edward Street. Christ Church is the only one of the three cathedrals that can be seen from the River Liffey. It is the home of the purported tomb of “Strongbow” - the medieval Norman-Welch warlord who came to Ireland and marking the start of English involvement in Ireland. The Dublinia Museum tells the story about how Dublin was settled by the Vikings and that is was an important medieval mecca at one time. It was established by the Medieval Trust in the rooms of the disused Synod Hall. The concentration of the museum is between the 11th century and the Reformation. The museum is a living history museum, with hands-on displays, and typical museum artifact displays. Reconstructed dioramas give glimpses of Dublin in the Middle Ages. The Museum gets quite crowded and is sometimes difficult to navigate around. The museum also houses the archaeological finds and a presentation of the current excavations of Wood Quay. The museum is linked by a bridge to Christ Church. Parts of the building are visible and climbing the tower will give you spectacular views of Dublin’s skyline. There are three prime exhibitions in Dublinia: (1) Viking Dublin Exhibition, (2) Medieval Dublin Exhibition, and (3) History Hunter’s Exhibition. Visitors can explore the Viking times of Dublin, its settlement, what life is like on a Viking warship, the clothing, what it is like to be a slave, and how cramped Viking homes were. Visitors can learn the runic alphabet and learn the mythos of the time. Visitors can see medieval Dublin - following history from Strongbow to the Reformation, what warfare and crime/punishment was like in the times, and about the Black Death. Visitors can get a glimpse of the historic Dubin Faire. Tourists can also gain insight into modern archaeological practices and current digs in the area, the technology they use, and the tools they utilize. Rating: 5 stars out of 5.

Sidewalk outside Dublina

Black Church

Black Church
* aka: St. Mary’s Chapel of Ease * The Black Church, St. Marys Place, Dublin, Co. Dublin, Ireland‎ - 01 860 0007‎ *
St. Mary’s Chapel of Ease was a Gothic Revival Cathedral that was part of the Church of Ireland and located on St. Mary’s Place, in Dublin, Ireland. A chapel of ease is a church building other than the parish church lcoated within the bounds of a parish for those to attend that cannot conveniently reach the main church. This is also known as “The Black Church” and sinisterly looms upon its onlookers in the area. Named “the Black Church” after the black limestone calp it was created from. The Church was designed and founded by John Semple in 1830. Within the Church there is no walls or ceiling, but rather consists of a single parabolic vault. It was the favorite Church of infamous English Poet Sir John Betjeman and the Dubliner Austin Clarke. Clarke claimed in his autobiography that a local legend states that if you went Twice Round the Black Church the Devil would appear. Some say that you have to walk counter clockwise around the Church three times at midnight to summon the Devil. The Church is now closed. took the title for his autobiography from the local legend that the devil would appear if you went Twice Round the Black Church. The church is no longer open and was closed 1962. It is currently used for offices for the Dublin Corporation. The grounds belong to the Earl of Mountjoy.

Dublin Hostel

Dublin Hostelling International
* http://www.dublininternationalhostel.com/ * Dublin International Hostel * 61 Mountjoy Street, Dublin 7 * Phone: +353 1 8301766 * Fax: +353 1 8305808 *
It’s probably because I stayed here almost a week and a half, but the Dublin Hostel is one of my most favorite Hostelling International Hostels in the world. Its located very conveniently in the heart of Dublin City close to ALL of the tourist attractions, and an easy walk from everything - from the River Libbey, to Temple Bar, to O’Connell, Henry Street, and Trinity College … It was a perfect meeting place for me and my friends. The staff was extremely friendly, helpful, courteous, and considerate. Open 24 hours a day - year round. THe hostel was very clean, comfortable, and you could be guaranteed a good sleep. Free wifi for laptop users, internet kiosks available, deposit boxes, parking, laundry facilities, self-catering kitchen, free continental breakfasts every morning in the old chapel, walking distance to bus and train stations, family, private and dorm rooms, a restaurant, 2 conference rooms, and excellent pricing. Single Room: 35-40 Euro/person; Dorm bed 14-23 Euro. I’ll definitely be back to this one! Rating : 5 stars out of 5.

Gallagher’s Boxty House
* 21 Temple Bar * 2, Co. Dublin, Ireland * 01 6772762 * http://www.boxtyhouse.ie/ *
After this amazing traditional Irish dining experience I must say … I’ve become a great fan of Boxty! Lovely ambiance, great setting, traditional feel, and friendly staff. The Seafood Boxty was to die for! The pear cider was lovely as well. Right in the heart of the Temple Bar Area … Gallagher’s attracts tourists and locals alike for this traditional dish they are so well known for. A little more higher end priced meals, but certainly well worth it, and tasty I’m sure to be back again. Boxty is a traditional IRish potato pancake cooked on a griddle and served with a filling. Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5.

Hard Rock Dublin
* 12 Fleet Street, Dublin, Co. Dublin City - 01 6717777 * www.hardrock.com *
I’ll be honest … I’m not a big fan of chains or Hard Rock Cafes. The only time I usually enter one is when I’m with friends who are fans … such as was the case for my visit to the Dublin one. The setup for these cafes are pretty similar wherever you go I find, and the memorabilia on the walls and in the cases are the usual lot of “this belonged to so n’ so” and “this was used is such n’ such”. Not much different than the movie fan chain of Club Hollywood, just for the Music industry. The food was mediocre pub food, and the drinks pricey. Some interesting and unique art/stuff for Ireland. Anyhow, if you’re a fan of Hard Rock Cafes … this one will please you as its the only one in all of Ireland, as the one in Northern Ireland was closed down. The Dublin one was established in June 29, 2004. They pride themselves for their unique collectibles just like all the other Hard Rock’s … in this case a pair of Bono’s sunglasses, a favorite shirt of Elvis, Paul McCartney’s “Beatle Boots”, one of Madonna’s jackets, a Paul Stanley guitar, and a Mimi Hendrix rug. Rating: 1 star out of 5.

Rock n’ Bowl Hostel

Rock n’ Bowl Hostel
* 22 Nelson Street * Bristol, UK BS1 2LE, United Kingdom * 0117 325 1980 * http://www.rocknbowlmotel.com/ *
A great hidden gem in the hostel world - this hostel is central and is relatively new to Bristol, or at least appears so, as it was under modeling or re-modeling while I was visiting. Located above a bowling alley and bar, right in the heart of Bristol’s shopping district, close to the Harbour and night life, bus stations, and the heart of city activities near the historic city wall … I found the hostel affordable and very pleasant during my stay. Free wifi and a friendly desk staff. Great little lounge and its own theater where they would do movies though most of when I was there a band was rehearsing. They have double beds, private twin rooms, co-ed dorm rooms, and female only dorms. Retro cool bowling alley with the “Lanes” bar and diner downstairs. Self cook kitchen and fridges upstairs, laundry room, and lounge. Beds as low as 13 GBP a night or 65 GBP a week. Clean bedrooms and establishment, though the self-kitchen area was in a bit of disarray. Rating: 4 stars out of 5.

BODMIN & THE BODMIN MOORCornwall, United Kingdom

One of Cornwall’s oldest towns … Bodmin has just over 13,000 citizens which stands as a civil parish in Cornwall, England located just southwest of the Bodmin Moor. It was formerly the county town of Cornwall until the Crown Courts moved to Truro. The name is believed to have come from an archaic word in the Cornish “bod” (meaning dwelling) and a contraction of “menegh” (or “Monks”) and may have referred to a early monastic settlement that was in the area that was instituted by St. Guron (St. Petroc) in the 6th century. The Black Death killed half of the town’s population in the mid 14th century. The town was the center of three Cornish uprisings - (1) 1497 when a Cornish army led by Michael An Gof marched to Blackheath in London where they were defeated by 10,000 men of the King’s army under Baron Daubeny. (2) Autumn of 1497 when a man named Perkin Warbeck tried to usurp the throne from Henry VII. (3) 1549 when Cornishmen rose once again in rebellion against Edward VI’s new Prayer book since the Cornish were very attached to Catholicism. This was called the Prayer Book Rebellion. The Bodmin Moor is a rough toor of granite moorland in northeastern Cornwall that is approximately 208 sq. kilometers in size. The geology dats from the Carboniferous period and is one of five granite batholiths in Cornwall. The landscape is eery and gives great background to the mythology, murders, and mysteries attributed to the area. There are approximately 500 holdings in the Moor with an estimated 10,000 cows; 55,000 breeding ewes; and 1,000 horses/ponies. The area is deemed a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and officially designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Moor is also the source of several of Cornwall’s rivers such as the River FOwey, the Rivery Tiddy, the River Inny, River Lynher, River Camel, De Lank River, River Warleggan, and the River Tamar. The Moor is also home to the legendary Dozmary Pool where the Lady of the Lake theoretically gave King Arthur Excalibur. This is Cornwall’s only natural inland lake and is glacial in origin. By the 20th century, three reservoirs were constructed on the Moor - Colliford Lake, Siblyback Lake, and Crowdy Reservoir. These support much of the county’s population with fresh water. 10,000 years ago, on the Kilmar Tor, hunter-gatherers wandered the Moor and left incredible remains of flint scatters all across the region. During the Neolithic (4,500-2,300 BC) - the Moor began to be cleared and farmed. Megalithic monuments were constructed across the Moor consisting of long cairns and stone circles. By the Bronze Age, monuments increased with over 300 cairns and more stone circles, rows, and over 200 Bronze Age settlements with enclosures and field patterns. The Moor is also the legendary place for “King Arthur’s Hall” which is believed to have been a late Neolithic or early Bronze Age ceremonial site to the east of St. Breward. Quarrying and mining in the Moor took place during the Medieval period. The Moor is filled with legends … such as “The Wild Horse on Bodmin Moor”; “Dozmary Pool”; “Lady of the Lake”; “Jan Tregeagle”; and “The Beast of Bodmin“.

Colliford Lake
Bodmin Moor, Bodmin, Cornwall, United Kingdom

I had the pleasure of visiting legendary Colliford Lake this summer as it was the mystical location of the Three Wishes Faerie Festival. Colliford Lake is a popular reservoir on the Bodmin Moor in mystical Cornwall. It covers over 900 acres of land and is the second largest lake in Cornwall. Right off the A30 trunk by Bolventor it is also close to Bodmin. A 50 acre adventure and nature park called “Colliford Lake Park” is along its shores featuring hiking and themed trails, footpaths, play areas, mazes, miniature golf course, wetlands, picnic and camping areas. THere is also lodging, a restaurant, bar, and a cafe. Colliford Lake is home to the mythological headwaters of “Dozmary Pool” where the Lady of the Lake is believed to have bestowed King Arthur with Excalibur. The pool is located south the A30 a mile or so down a twisty lane that begins across from the infamous Jamaica Inn at Bolventor winding its way into the Bodmin Moor where the legendary Beast is believed to roam. The legend states that King Arthur’s sword “Excalibur” was hurled into the pool only to reappear held up by a ghostly arm of the “Lady of the Lake” before disappearing beneath the dark surface. While the pool has dried completely up during very hot summers, the locals claim it is bottomless.

The Three Wishes Faerie Festival
* http://www.3wishesfaeryfest.co.uk/ * Colliford Lake, Bodmin Moor, Bodmin, Cornwall, England * June 18-21, 2010 *

One of Europe’s most infamous and exciting Faerie Festivals, Three Wishes does not disappoint in the Realms of Enchantment. It was my first (of hopefully many) Three Wishes Faerie Fests. A gathering place for the faery clans to meet with the mortal humans in heartland of the historic faerie tromping grounds of history … in Bodmin Moor, on the shores of Colliford Lake (where the Lady of the Lake presented King Arthur with Excalibur) right in the magical lands of Cornwall. Just taking an adventure in Cornwall is mystical enough … but adding a visit to Three Wishes definitely added to the charm of the exciting quest. A three day festival for kids, families, and adults with an assortment of fun. A whole different world than the infamous American Faerieworlds, you’ll find many of the same mystical folks and kindred wandering around. Set in the heart of Midsummer, a portal is opened into the realms of the fae where those curious can come out to play with the good neighbours and see the “little people” close-up. Why Three Wishes? According to the web site, Karen Kay - the founder and creator of this magical event, was out in her garden hanging out laundry to dry when she noticed a single dandelion seed head standing strong and tall amongst a recently cut lawn - and as she watched it, three of the little seed heads appearing like faeries flew up into the blue sky … and thence, Three Wishes was born. This annual three day festival in the heart of Cornwall has been growing by leaps and bounds sounding the horn for fae from all corners of the world to gather each year around the Summer Solstice. Concerts, artists, fashion shows, workshops, art exhibitions, forest walks, games, exploration areas, food, drink, festivities, friendship, kid parades, drumming, meditation, yoga, late night parties, wishing wells, clottie trees, and frolick abound. Sunday ended with a early morning greeting of the sun with a Druidic rite to welcome in the sun. What a mesmerizing time!

In the News:
• http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8046178.stm
• http://ezinearticles.com/?Cornwalls-Magical-3-Wishes-Faery-Fest&id=4293193