My Trip to Ireland - July 1998

Forty Shades of Green

The flight from Chicago left at 7:15 pm and I flew seven hours with Aer Lingus pilots; Tom Murphy and Michael Duffy. Arrival at Dublin was early;2:15 AM U.S. time and 8:15 AM Irish time. I should have slept but was too excited. They showed two movies and served drinks and food all night.

Following are just some of the breathtaking views and experiences I shared with some wonderful friends.

First stop was the National Botanical Gardens. It was a beautiful day and the gardens are not to be missed. This Glass House was built in 1843 and recently renovated. The "Bots" has one of every plant. Even weeds!

These are scenes from Howth just a bit north of Dublin on my first night there.

Two weeks of Irish Culture study at Trinity University in Dublin was a wonderful educational experience. Gerald Dawe and Seona MacReomoin were in charge of the USIT program.

Irish Studies Summer school was an excellent educational and cultural program. There were many cultural experiences I was able to see in Ireland that the normal "tourist" wouldn't know existed. I would highly recommend an educational program as a way to travel. It was safe, comfortable and most of all I met friends that will last a life time.

Most daily classes at 10:00 am and 2:00 pm were held in the Trinity Biology Building, a vine covered brick, built in 1907. It has been the set for Hollywood few movies and has a wonderful atmosphere. My roommates from Finland included Kirsi, Sari and Pirjo; Kirsi and Sari were excellent students.

Lunch at Kennedy's pub was a favorite with my friends Pirjo, Kirsi and Sari. We had lunch at the Glebe house after our climb up a mountain to see ancient burial sites. It was the least they could do after that climb with the sheep. Lunch was wonderful, as the Glebe House is a beautiful B& B..

Traveling on my own with friends during the weekends was a wonderful way to see the country side and included a visit to the beautiful Conamara area in Western Ireland.

A stay at an old Irish Castle was truly a highlight. Ballynahinch Castle was built in the late 18th century on the Owenmore River.

The evenings were topped off with hearty Irish Coffee. The "REAL" thing.

Breakfast is not to be missed while in Ireland. Try a "Full Irish Breakfast" complete with eggs, rashers (bacon), black (blood sausage) and white pudding, sausage and grilled tomatoes. Or stay on the tame side and have a scone, brown bread or a croissant.

Kylemore Abbey (Coil Mor or Big Wood) built as a private home in 1861-68 is worth the trip through the pristine countryside. In 1920 the Irish Abbey of the Nuns of St. Benedict sought refuge here and they now run an elite girls school for ages 12-18 on the the estate. Cost per school year is aprox 7,500 Irish punts or about $11,000 US dollars. It's a beautiful place and a special thanks to Mary for showing me "her" side of Ireland.

A visit to Jonny Fox' high in the Mountains of Dublin was a wonderful night light spot. Jonny Fox's is the highest pub in all of Ireland. The bartenders are cute, a bit young but my daughters enjoyed the pictures..

The food is fabulous, Seafood Chowder and Prawns

Property for sale is interesting in Ireland. The first property lists for $300,000 Irish punts or about $450,000 US dollars, and that's for only ONE HALF of the house. The second is priceless.

No trip to the Green Isle would be complete without a visit to Blarney Castle. I didn't know what I was getting myself into when we waited in line to kiss the blarney stone and obtain the gift of "gab". It's a surprising position. After asking the cute little old man assisting, how he got the "best job" in all of Ireland holding onto ladies upside down; he insisted "you don't need to be a kissin' that rock, ye already hae a touch of Blarney in ye. I took it as a compliment.."

I hope you have enjoyed my "Run Away to Ireland" trip. It truly was a trip of a life time. I would like to thank my friends Paul and Val Christie, Tony and Anne Marie Cosgrove and Mary Mullins for being net friends and then the best tour guides in all of Ireland. Of course there is more to tell but that my friend, "Sin Sceal Eile" (is another story).

Tell me what you think or if I can answer any questions for you, it's a trip that I love reliving over and over.

An Irish Blessing for you to take with you today!

"May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow"

"And may trouble avoid you where ever you go". Slan

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