A Peek Into the Magic of Ireland

Fun TRAVEL, DINING & ENTERTAINMENT

A Peek into the Magic of Ireland (Part 2)

Story and photos by Tori Ward, ROX Travel, Cruise and Resort Specialist

It was wet and cold with a foggy mist drifting across Pollacappul Lake. The weather deterred other tourists, and I found myself alone on the wooded paths around the stately former castle of Kylemore Abbey bordered by the lake on one side, the Connemara Mountains on the other and bookended by a gothic chapel dedicated to the wife of the original builder and the Victorian walled gardens she enjoyed.

I suddenly discovered I was not alone when a ewe crashed down through one of the streams flowing from the mountain. She rolled her martyred eyes at me as her lambs caught her on the shore and began feeding.

Of all the beautiful places we visited in Ireland, this location touched me with an ache of longing to learn everything I could about the Henry family, the tragedy that touched them, and later the Benedictine Order of nuns who fled from Belgium and founded the abbey. It operated as a convent school until 2010.

It was a quiet break from the busy weekend we had enjoyed with a ferry trip on Saturday to visit the Cliffs of Moher in the morning, an afternoon in the village of Bunratty and a dash to Galway on Sunday.

The wind was fierce creating a perfect backdrop for the dramatic panorama of vertical cliffs stretching for around 9 miles above the pounding Atlantic Ocean. I considered how many years the sea has beat against the Cliffs of Moher creating the outline of which Ireland is so famous.

Bunratty reminded me very much of my beloved St. Augustine, Florida. Not the castle, but the restored village with homes and shops selling artisanal goods. I can’t resist pottery and spent a pleasant hour chatting with the potter at O’Neill’s as he carefully wrapped the plates and a cup I would carried back.

As we settled in for the evening, I asked Gordon, our private guide, how far the closet church was so I could attend Mass on Sunday. I mentioned I could go to a 7 a.m. service if it would help us keep on schedule. It was the only time I saw him at a loss for words.

He finally said: “Sure, and you won’t find a priest up at 7 here on a Sunday. 10 will do.”

Ewe on a path at Kylemore Abbey Chapel at Kylemore Abbey

Finally our last full day arrived. We sat down for an opulent high tea in the shadow of Trim Castle, but I secretly wished I just had a piece of Irish soda bread toasted with butter and black current jam. How have I lived so long and not known about black current jam?

Trim Castle is as imposing as the Braveheart movie makes it appear with towers, moats, drawbridges and narrow stone gates that prevented the enemy from pouring onto the grounds. It is the largest and best Cliffs of Moher

preserved Anglo-Norman castle in Ireland dating back to the 12th century. The town provided great last minute shopping.

As the sun set the wind and rain picked we heard the song “We are the World.” Looking out onto the castle grounds we saw a choir of school children braving the elements to record the song as a fundraiser for Ukraine.

It was a perfect end to a magical trip.

Florence’s Historic District and FRANCISCO CUEN BUILDING

Submitted by Pinal County Historical Museum

Florence’s claim to fame is its historic district, with over 100 homes and commercial properties on the National Register of Historic Places.

What makes the Historic District special is the quantity of historic properties and the diverse combination of architectural styles.

You will see Sonoran, Early and Late Transitional, American Victorian, American Bungalow, Mission Revival and neo-classical architecture styles as you drive through town. Within these architectural styles celebrates Florence’s Mexican and Anglo heritage.

Our Main Street is unique because it remains an active working Main Street with many local businesses.

The Francisco Cuen Building on Main Street recently has been renovated. Prior to 1882, Francisco Cuen, a butcher, built an L-shaped property on Main Street. The long wing was believed to be the residence that is fronted on 11th Street, and the shorter wing on Main Street was the butcher shop.

The Cuen Building served as Florence’s first telephone exchange from 1910 to 1950. Next, the building was the Fulbright and McFarland law office. Tom Fulbright and Ernest W. McFarland were defense attorneys for Winnie Ruth Judd and successfully argued against her sanity in 1933.

Judd, known as the “Trunk Murderess,” escaped the gallows and was sent to the state hospital. After McFarland was elected to the U.S. Senate, Fulbright continued to run his private practice out of the Cuen Building until his death in 1972. After sitting unoccupied for many years, Tom and Lynn Smith purchased the Cuen Building in 2019 and fully restored the property that is now home to the Arizona Flower Girl (143 N. Main St.).

Explore Florence’s rich stories and gain a greater appreciation for the local architecture by:

• Joining a guided walking tour of Florence’s

Historic District. Discover which movie star was married in Florence, how the town’s street grid differs from most other towns and more. (First Saturday of the month in

January, February and March). secure.qgiv.com/for/pchm/event/857032

• Participating in the 37th annual Historic

Florence Home Tour on Feb. 11. During the

Home Tour, private residences are open to the public as well as commercial properties, churches and more. For more information on the Home Tour visit www.florenceaz.gov or call 520.868.7040.

• Visiting the Pinal County Historical Museum, 715 S. Main St., Florence

Step back in time and explore Florence’s rich history at the Pinal County Historical Museum. Our displays of cactus furniture, Florence’s Historic District, shootout at the Tunnel Saloon, Second Territorial Prison, Junior Parada Rodeo, farm equipment and more bring Florence’s stories to life.

Additionally, the museum houses a large and diverse research collection from which exhibits and programs are created, as well as opportunities for academic and communitybased research.

Find one-of-a-kind art, jewelry and notecards, books, gifts for kids and more at our gift shop.

For more information visit us at: www.facebook.com/pchsmuseum1 www.instagram.com/pchsmuseum1 www.pinalcountyhistoricalmuseum.org

Cuen house circa 1933