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So I've lived right outside Dublin for a little over a month now, so I thought I might share a few things I've learned that apply to Killarney in a BG context:

1.) While the Abbeystone Theater is situated in an old ruined abbey, the name actually has a few political underpinnings. The first theater created during the time of Irish nationalism (early 1900's) was called "the Abbey." All plays put on there were Irish based, however it was also the site of some major rioting. I don't think the theater at BG was named for this reason, however I thought it was a nice unknown nod to Irish Nationalism.

2.) Celtic Fyre and Irish Thunder/Emerald Beat are two drastically different types of shows and embody drastically different spaces within the country. As you can probably guess, Celtic Fyre is considerably more urban than the other offerings. There's obviously the fact that immigrants/visitors come in during the show so one can essentially guess that the show is set just outside Dublin - about where I live, go figure! Emerald Beat and Irish Thunder are very rooted in the West of Ireland, particularly across the River Shannon. This part of the country is essentially what the world visualizes as Ireland - rolling hills, massive natural landscapes, and breathtaking views across the Atlantic. Got to see all of that this past weekend and I can tell you the shows represent it beautifully. With that said I'd love for the more mystical shows to return to the village as they really provide a truly authentic atmosphere to a mysterious place.

3.) Finally, quick little tidbit - Corkscrew Hill would also probably be a ruined Abbey or Monastic site. Weird thing is, Ireland is known for ruined Monasteries, however normally they aren't actually Irish. Most were inhabited by the French and Nordic peoples.

I'll attempt to update this over the next few months as I learn more about the island!!!

See ya'll at ChristmasTown!!
 
Scaffolding everywhere in the city - though no one on this island would be caught drop dead dancing in the streets, swear to God the pub security would deck you.

Oh and some stray dog ran in front of me a couple days ago, however I decided not to follow it. Shame on me.
 
After a little digging, Lexington Design and Fabrication who did Shipwreck Falls a fantastically themed rapids ride at SWSD also did Ireland. On their website I found pictures they took from opening year.
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It's crazy to see how colorful and vibrant it was over ten years ago. Also, wasn't their a recording of the Talking Tree audio that a member posted a few years ago?
 
In the last photo, you can see how the shop exterior was still not complete. The interior remained more or less the same as it was in Hastings. If you look at COS, this, and Enchanted Laboratory you can see traces of how the creators intended to create a "parallel dimension" between the shows. It was such a great nod to the past.

The two restrooms next to Pot O' Gold/Wizard Works were previously a small theater called King Arthur's Chamber. The interior was like a very miniature Castle O'Sullivan. Former creative director at BGT, Scott Swenson, worked there before moving to Tampa. He had a one man show there.
 
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Crews have been hard at work preparing for Ireland, Busch Gardens Williamsburg's sixth country.(2001)

Source: Daily Press http://www.dailypress.com/visuals/photography/dp-pictures-look-back-busch-gardens-40-years-20150319-photogallery.html
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This "Hastings planter inspired" (no, I'm serious) wooden-box/bench/flower-pot or whatever it is has replaced the rainbow bridge in Killarney this year.



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For some odd reason, the normal Irish-themed banners that adorned the poles on Killarney Crossing have been replaced with the old Hastings banners that have seemingly been all over the park.
 
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