On the glorious morning of 14 May 2016 twelve members of the Irish-Austrian Society – all of them Austrians except Rosemary and Ursula - met outside the National Sea Life Centre in Bray in order to complete the classic cliff walk from Bray to Greystones. We were told by Ulrike to be there at 10:30 am “sharp”, however the Austrians (most of whom have been living on the Green Island for many years) have apparently been infected by the Irish sense of time, so we left close to 11 am.

Gerhard, our leader, suggested that we take the higher route via Bray Head, but he found little support so we stuck to the lower route. The only one who wanted to go via Bray Head was little Konstantin, Christopher’s son. However, his protests were ignored. He was consoled when we later came across an ice cream van which he would have missed had we gone via Bray Head. All the world was on the way from Bray to Greystones and back. No wonder as it was what the Irish call a “pet day”. The sky was blue, the sun heated up the earth to mighty 15 degrees celsius which makes most inhabitants of Ireland think that they are in Spain, the bird were singing in praise of the Weather God and the seals were popping up from the deep blue sea looking in amazement at the hords of walkers.

By one o clock, shortly after we made our way through the Greystones Marina we arrived at the Beach House Pub in Greystones. I had been there 10 years ago when it was a small and ordinary pub. It now is a formidable establishment with a nice back garden and good food. Obviously, those Russian oligarchs who moor their yachts in the Marina bring good business to Greystones.

After having eaten and drunk sufficiently most of the group took the DART back to Bray. Reinhard the Younger was more upmarket: he had arranged to be picked up by car. Konstantin expressed no wish to climb Bray Head. Once he was told that there was no ice cream van up there his enthusiasm for conquering heights evaporated.

Gerhard the Leader had thus only three followers on the way back via Bray Head: Rosemary, Ursula and myself.  Wonderful as the walk from Bray to Greystones had been, the walk back from Greystones to Bray via Bray Head was even more wonderful. I have no words to describe it, all I can say is that we four felt very sorry for the eight who had decided not to come with us. But maybe they do not need our sympathy because they will never know what they missed.

A big “thank you” to Roseymary and Reinhard Dutter for setting it all up and to Gerhard who led us. Do it again soon!

Herbert Herzmann

On Tuesday 9th of February we enjoyed an exclusive evening with Wilhelm Klinger. Wilhelm Klinger is head of the Austrian Wine Marketing Board and was in Ireland on a mission to promote Austrian Wines. We were graciously invited to the residence of the Austrian Ambassador to Ireland, Dr. Thomas Nader and his wife Ingrid.

Wilhelm Klinger gave an insightful lecture about Austrian Wines, the wine marketing board and his role in the board. We had then the unique opportunity to taste some of the Austrian wines we talked about before, guided himself.

It was a very lively evening of wine, culture and music – the definite highlight of the evening was Wilhelm Klinger performing two songs by Gerhard Bronner.

For more about Austrian Wine and the Austrian Wine marketing board please visit www.austrianwine.com