May 28, 2011 - Ireland- Summer 2010

We spent 2 months in Ireland during July and August 2010. Managed to get to almost every county and to the Aran Islands during that time. Traveled with Chuck and Christi part of the time and later with Lillian. The weather was wonderful most of the time and when it was a bit soft we had good friends to stay inside and lift a pint or two. Of the over 400 hundred photos taken during that trip, only a few are uploaded here. If you want to see more, give a hollar. Pat

Mar 18, 2011 - Gift of the gab

Up in the morning after a quick shower to breakfast as Alyse was hungry. The hotel had a good spread: sausages, tomatoes, beans, scrambled eggs, potatoes, juices, cereal, yogurt, fresh fruit and waffles. Then on the road to Blarney Castle. Once we got there we walked around the castle and then climbed to the top. Angie and Alyse kissed the Blarney stone so now they have the gift of gab (as if they didn't before). I had already kissed it on my previous trip so decided to bypass it this time. Back down the stairs and then to a couple of...

Mar 17, 2011 - St. Patrick's Day

The alarm was set today as we wanted to make sure we had enough time to get from Kilronan Castle to Galway for the St. Patrick's Day parade at 12:30. We packed up, and were on our way. We made it to Galway about an hour before the parade started. We parked and fortunately it was near the square where the parade route was, so we got to stake a claim on the parade route quite early. Angie got us some hot chocolate and we started people watching until the parade began. There were so many people in so many interesting and festive costumes! It...

Nov 28, 2010 - Last day in Ireland

Sadly our last day here. We visited the Cliffs of Mohr and had spectacular weather to view the scenery. We were hoping to make it to Dingle but that would have involved too much driving. Instead we did a mountain hike at the Burren- a barren limestone region. On the drive back we saw more old castles, sheep, Atlantic coastline and tons of rock fences Hit a pub along the way for a late lunch of fish and chips.

May 6, 2010 - Bunratty Castle & Folk Park

Amazingly, Shannon airport was closed again this morning due to the ash. Wow, do we feel blessed; we squeezed in through a narrow crack in between the closures. Hope our luck holds for our departure flight too. Esther & Timmy came by and we went to Bunratty Castle & Folk Park. The majestic castle was built in 1425 and was restored in 1954 to its medieval glory. The furnishings, tapestries, and artworks are mostly from the 15th and 16th century and capture the mood of that period. The castle was the stronghold of the O’Briens, who were kings...

Apr 19, 2010 - Here We Go A-Jaunting & A-Jigging

Well today certainly began with problems. Ed wasn't feeling very well by the time we returned to Killarney last night, so he and Waynette didn't go with us to the Failte Pub for pub grub and music. By the time we walked back to the hotel, Dianne and Lori, and several of the others from Iowa and Alabama were feeling sick. I got a call at 6:30 a.m. this morning from Waynette saying that they needed a doctor for Ed. I called Tom who immediately called the front desk and got in touch with a doctor who came right on over to the hotel. He gave Ed...