Postcards for the weekend 40: Country map(s)

My interest with Ireland started when I saw a very entertaining animated film with a leprechaun when I was a little girl. I always thought Ireland is Ireland ...

IE-33070, sent from Dublin, Ireland
Sent 13 March 2012, Traveled 10,959 km in 13 days

... But when I traveled to Scotland back in 2012, I learned that Ireland has two parts: one being the Republic of Ireland, and another being North Ireland, part of United Kingdom.

Friendship Gift Postcard, Sent from Oxfordshire, UK
Sent: 13 Nov 2013, Traveled 10,777 km

That was my very first out of Asian continent trip. I visited a relative in Edinburgh after attending a conference in Glasgow and he asked me whether I plan to see Ireland as well. I was very surprised as I thought, "How can I go there when I only have UK visa and no Schengen visa." Then, I was educated on the two Irelands ... Ah, the things I couldn't have learned if not for actually making a trip to somewhere!

What are some of the memorable unexpected learnings from your travel(s) abroad?

Happy weekend,

~maria

Johnstown Castle, Ireland

I've been enchanted by castles lately. And the passion just got more real this evening after watching the film, 'Mirror Mirror' as a Friday treat to myself. I was intrigued as to why the castle in an English film is very evident of Indian architecture...thanks to Mr. Imdb -- he said it's because the director is Indian. Ah! Got it.

To take part in the celebration of Lá Fhéile Pádraig, here's a castle card from Ireland. Saint Patrick's Day is a religious holiday in Ireland, most popularly characterized with wearing green -- since I don't have a particular card like that or a card with shamrock, here's a card with green grass, shrubs, and trees instead :D

Back to the castle, the back of the card reads: The silvery towers of Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford are enchantingly reflected in an ornamental lake. The 1840 Gothic Revival castle stands in a lush setting of ornamental trees and shrubs. The variety of mixed planting around the lake, which include noble firs, Japanese cedars, Atlantic blue cedars, copper beaches, golden Lawson cypresses and holm oaks, provides a very satisfying range of color through the year.

This post is for the Postcard Friendship Friday, sorry for the delay in posting. :( My internet connection has been acting up lately and the photo of the card didn't want to attach to this post. Anyways, good vibes...good vibes! Great week for everyone. :D

~maria

Postcard ID: IE-32097

Traveled 10,959 km in 9 days