Our last Saturday stop was the Residence D/Ambassadeur d'Irelande -- the residence, and in fact the embassy, of the Ambassador of Ireland. But when we arrived, the doors -- those giant wood doors that actually open to a courtyard, were closed. A French woman lingered nearby, like us, looking over her list of Patromoine venues, and puzzling about the closed door. So, om walked up to the giant door and rang the bell. After a few moments, a security guard opened the door and explained that the visits were over for the day -- it was after 4 (all the others that we saw listed were open until 6). So Tom started to leave when a young woman inside the door said it was ok for us to come in. So we did. She told us they had just closed but if we would like a private guided visit she would be happy to take us through. Of course we said yes, and we and our French companion walked right in.
Our guide showed us into the foyer, where a smiling man waited. He introduced himself to us as the actual Ambassador Paul Kavanaugh, and welcomed us to the Residence. He chatted with us in English for a few minutes, describing a vacation four years ago in Norther California, from San Francisco to Santa Rosa, Salinas to Monterrey and Yosemite. He said he and his wife would like to return someday, so we told him he is welcome in our guest room anytime.
The Amabssador excused himself, and his aide showed us around the lovely white receiving room, and the library. At that point my camera battery died. (It had been getting quite a workout.) But we went on to see the music room and a very unsual sitting room with paintings of elegant monkeys on the walls, and the formal dining room.
It was a delightful visit.
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