The National Stud and a Sweater

Monday, July 15, 2019

Today was mostly a travel day as we drove across the country to Dublin, with a stop at the incredible Irish National Stud.  The Stud is a place, not a use of the word we’re used to, and it is owned by the government.  Race horses retire to stud there, and many foals are born there.

One horse, Invincible Spirit, accounts for 80% of the entire revenue of the farm with his stud fees.  No artificial insemination is permitted in thoroughbred horses, so the mares are brought to him.  In season, he services two or three mares a day; his fee is paid after the delivery of a healthy foal.

It’s an eclectic place, reflecting the unusual interests of the man who started the place, Colonel William Hall Walker (1856-1933).  On the premises is a replica of a 6^th c. beehive monastery with a roof supported only by the concentric stones:

  

There are beautiful and extensive gardens:

And an equally beautiful and extensive Japanese garden:

 Many trees have fairy doors.  Shown without comment.

We had lunch there, and then finished our drive to Dublin, checking in to our hotel in the late afternoon.  We took a walk to the Trinity College area where there are lots of shops, and fulfilled a goal which had been quite elusive.  We had wanted to get Gil an Irish sweater, but at eight consecutive shops had been told he’s too big for the children’s fit and too small for the adult ones.  The clerks basically said one version or another of, “You’re right—he is in between and we have nothing for him.”  Well today we found his sweater in a shop which sells only sweaters.  It’s a unisex adult extra small.  He seems very happy.

Tomorrow we take a tour of Dublin on an Amphibious vehicle, visit the Book of Kells and end the day at Riverdance.  It should be quite an adventure.