Irish Tour 2013
The early morning sun on the rise today as I made my way to Shannon airport to collect Kathy and her pals on their arrival there from the USA. Despite the fact that they had traveled a long way, with two different flights involved, and a wait over at Newark, they were all in great form and ready for their Irish adventure. Kathy is the only member of the group who has been to Ireland previously. She had put so much time into the preparation to ensure that everybody would have a memorable vacation, and she was a joy to work with in the planning.
Our destination this morning was the world renowned Ashford Castle in Cong, County Mayo.
When traveling from Shannon to Ashford you pass around Galway City and we stopped off at the Huntsman Inn, on the outskirts of the town, for a light breakfast. This is a really nice place to eat, and also very reasonable. Above you see the group tucking into their first sample of good Irish produce. From the left; Myself (of course), Kathy, Tea, Karen, Marcie, Robin and Johnna. I know you guys who are looking in.... are already saying "Lucky you Dave"
Here we have the group pictured, with Ashford Castle in the background. The weather had changed a little since earlier in the morning, and there was a bit of a cool breeze, as you can see. Ashford castle is situated on the upper end of the Corrib Lake, the south of Ireland's largest lake. It is a spectacular hotel in a spectacular location.
Relaxing at last in the lounge at Ashford where we had complimentary tea and coffee on arrival. Again, from the left here, we have; Robin, Tea, Johnna, Karen, Marcie, and the woman in charge, my right hand, Kathy. By now, everybody was exhausted and it was not long before I was on my way back to base, and they were enjoying their well earned rest. This was for me a lovely day today, and a great start to what I know will be a lovely tour. Tomorrow we set sail for Galway city. Feel free to travel along with us.
This afternoon we left Ashford Castle behind as we made our way to Galway city where my party will be spending tonight (Friday). They will be staying in the Meyrick Hotel, which is located right in the city center in Eyre Square. The photo above was taken in Eyre Square, and in the foreground you can see the Browne doorway, which was the entrance door to the home of the famous Browne family, one of this city's famous fourteen Tribes. Galway is known as the City of the Tribes, mainly wealthy merchant families who ruled the town. The Meyrick Hotel is in the background of this photo and was originally known as the Railway Hotel. The Galway railway station is located right behind the hotel and the hotel was one of a number of Railway Hotels which were all located at the terminal ends of the main railway lines throughout the country. The full
title for the hotel was The Great Southern Hotel, the line to Galway being part of the Great Southern line. For many years this hotel would have been Galway's leading Hotel, and to me it is still a very special place as I love the character of this very old premises and have many happy memories attached to it. I would recommend this hotel for this alone.
The photo above shows the Spanish Arch in Galway City, one of the few remaining sections of Galway's old city walls. It was known as the Spanish Arch because many ships from Spain came to Galway carrying mainly wine among other things and they moored right behind the Arch on the river bank, which you cannot see in this photo. Our merchants were heavily involved in trade with that country, and indeed Galway became even
more powerful in that area as we were virtually the last stop off point for ships traveling to the New World.
The photo above shows the Galway City Market with St Nicholas's church in the background. This photo does not really give you a full idea of just how large this market is. You can find all kinds of fresh market produce here, anything from your vegetables to fresh chickens, free range eggs, fresh home made cheeses, freshly baked breads, hot cooked foods, jams and chutneys, and many other wonderful things to eat. The old church is actually the oldest building in this historic city and it was here that Christopher Columbus and his crew members attended mass before setting out on that historic final leg of their journey to the new world. The church has been restored and is now a Church of Ireland church eventhough at the time of Columbus's
visit, it was a catholic church. It was taken over by Cromwell's army when they took Galway, and they were said to have stabled their horses inside the church. It was later taken over by the Anglican Church of Ireland and never returned to the Catholics.
Marcie, relaxing in the lobby at Ashford before we left this morning.
Waving Goodbye to the castle today after a very special stay at this wonderful hotel. The girls also had a great night in the town of Cong last night. I spoke with some of the locals in the village this morning but they refused to comment and just said that the girls would be remember here for a long time to come. I wonder what they meant by that?
It looks like they are all ready again to take Galway city by storm as they wave to the locals on their arrival in Eyre Square at the Meyrick Hotel. Now, I was born and reared in Galway city ,and as i will not be with them this evening, I cannot really be held responsible for whatever happens there tonight. Hopefully all will be well and people will remain calm. I will be able to fill you in tomorrow.
Here we have the girls seated on the stage in the ballroom at the hotel. I had to show them this place as many years ago i was a member of a Rock Showband that regularly played in this very ballroom. Every Sunday night actually, and it was all Rock N'Roll. Judging by the following we had, we were good. Ooooooooohh for the old days.
I just couldn't resist it....I had to go on stage one more time. I do not know what you call it over there in the USA, but we call it "Second Childhood". No apologies.......it felt good. Stay with us.....more tomorrow.
The ladies, on the seafront in Salthill this morning before we left for County Clare, the Burren, and the Cliffs of Moher. From the left, we have, Johnna, Robin, Marcie, Tea and Kathy, with Karen in the front. The water, pictured in the background, is Galway Bay, with the Hills of Clare, barely visible in the distance. It was chilly today, but it stayed dry for us, which helped a lot.
The ladies, pictured outside the beautiful Galway Cathedral today.
I love the beautiful stained glass Rose window inside this Cathedral.
The Cathedral is situated right on the banks of the river Corrib. At the top of the picture you can see the Salmon weir, which controls the flow of water from the upper river, and the Corrib lake upstream. This is a great salmon fishing river. You can see the suspended ramps, or gangways, used by the fishermen, on the left hand side of the picture. You have to pay to fish on this section of the river.
Here we have our happy ladies once again, high in the mountains of the Burren, with Galway Bay in the distant background. From the left we have, Robin, Karen, Johnna, Marcie, Tea, and finally Kathleen. The Burren is a most unusual area, which was once upon a time the ocean floor. You can already see just how much their complexions are benefiting from the good Irish air.
The day remained kind to us as we explored the Cliffs.
You can clearly see from this picture at the Cliffs, that the wind was cold as the girls all wrapped themselves up to stay warm. The air was great though, and everybody enjoyed their time here.
This was another great day for all of us and i finally parted company with them in Doonbeg later in the afternoon. Doonbeg is a small village further down the West Coast from the Cliffs, and Kathleen has many friends there from previous visits. Tomorrow I collect them once again as we continue on our Irish adventure. Make sure you tag along.
This morning I collected the ladies in Doonbeg. I took this picture down by the river before we left for Kinvara, where the ladies will be staying tonight.
The boat that they are leaning against is the famous Curach which was used by the fishermen all along the West Coast of Ireland. They are an extremely light boat and their design enables them to ride the rough seas. With expert handling they are an ideal boat for the wild Atlantic conditions.
Here we have the ladies outside Comerfords Bar in Doonbeg. Kathleen is, of course, a Comerford herself, and was proud to bring all her Texan pals to visit her country cousins here in Doonbeg. The birthday celebrations here in Doonbeg last evening went on into the early hours and a great night was had by all. They even had a cake for Kathleen, and there were loads of surprise presents also.
On reaching Kinvara, everybody was hungry again, and we were joined by my wife Sue in the Merriman Hotel in the centre of the town. From left: Sue, Johnna, Tea, Karen, Kathy, Robin and Marcie. The food here was really good and also very reasonable. Tonight, once again, the ladies are going to enjoy some music in the local pubs in Kinvara. The town is really busy as this weekend the annual Cuckoo Festival is on and the place is buzzing with activity. The Cuckoo Festival celebrates the arrival of the Cuckoo signalling that Summer is here at last. I myself am off to bed as too many late nights make me Cuckoo also. Tomorrow we head for Killarney. What a great tour this one is. I must say that the ladies really appreciate all of the messages they have received from back home and they send their love to all. They do miss y'all and sincerely
wish that you were here to share in the fun. I would like to add that they have a very special message for Karen Lancaster, their extra special Momma. Be careful Momma.
This morning we left Kinvara and began our journey to Killarney. The day was lovely and sunny as we travelled and our first stop was the lovely town of Adare. The ladies were all in good form as they had a better rest last evening and managed to get to bed earlier. I took the picture above in the Gap of Dunloe near Killarney on a previous visit. It is a journey on these narrow mountain roads that takes you right through the Kerry mountains.
We visited the Trinitarian Abbey in Adare. This is a very old and very beautiful church and is right in the heart of Adare, which is traditionally accepted as one of Ireland's most beautiful towns.
Sitting on the wall of the Abbey with the main street of Adare and the famous old thatched cottages, which the town is renowned for, in the background. Today was a more relaxed and restful day as we have covered quiet a lot of ground over the first few days. Tomorrow we will tour either the Dingle peninsula or the Iveragh peninsula, depending on the weather.
At last.....an opportunity to wear their new rain hats. Well the weather looks worse than it actually was. Here we have the girls standing together at Ladies View high in the mountains on the Ring of Kerry yesterday. It was here that Queen Victoria stood with her handmaidens and proclaimed this view to be the most beautiful in the Kingdom. In the backgound you have the lakes of Killarney and i would not argue with the Great Victoria at all. My party was reduced in size yesterday as Kathy and Tea took the option of spending time in the town of Killarney together until we returned in the early afternoon.
Having a healthy snack at Moll's Gap at the top of the mountains. Things like chocolate cake, carrot cake, Banoffi pie and Pavlova with fresh cream. Irish calories are really good for you....the more the merrier.
When we had come back down rom the mountains and into the Killarney National Forest Park we visited
Muchross House Estate wherw Queen Victoria stayed during her visit to Killarney. Here we began out tour of the farmhouses, the old restored dwellings common to Irish farmers back in the early nineteen hundreds. Here we have the girls ready to board the bus which takes you from house to house on the circuit. This is a really lovely tour.
The ladies, sitting in front of a turf fire on the farm house tour.
Pigs enjoying their snack.
The girls outside one of the house.
Robin holding a baby newborn lamb with Karen about to be kissed.
In the gardens at Muckross House with the magnificent Rhododendrons blooming in the background.
I just did not have time last evening to post as my computer was refusing to connect to our hotel WiFi, and that does my head in. Yesterday we spent on the Dingle peninsula, but our weather was not very nice, as you can see from this picture, which i took at Slea Head.
Despite the nasty conditions we really did have a great
day and managed to cover quiet a lot. Here you see the ladies at one of the ancient Beehive Huts near Slea Head. These were ancient stone dwellings.
Some of the communal type Beehives were connected by tunnels, like the one you see Robin sheltering in here.
From the left: Marcie, Robin, Karen, Maura Houlihan, Tea, at the back, Johnna and Kathleen, back right. I took this picture in Maura Houlihan's home near Slea Head. Her house is over five hundred years old, eventhough it has been enlarged and renovated over the years.Maura has the Beehive huts on her land and charges a paltry Euro 2-00 for a viewing. She is a real lady and a great friend.
Last night we enjoyed a lovely Mexican meal in Casita Mexicana in Killarney. This restaurant is located right in the heart of the town in the market area behind Quill's shops.
After our meal it was off on the entertainment circuit with a great selection of pubs offering the best of Irish
music. Killarney has an abundance of places where you can relax and enjoy a drink.
This morning we prepared to leave Killarney behind as we visited the magnificent St Mary's Cathedral in the centre of the town. The foundations for this church were laid before the famine in 1845, but the church was not finished until early in the nineteen hundreds. It is a really beautiful church and we all said a prayer for our families and friends, and gave thanks for what was a lovely tour together.
Tonight (Thursday night) the ladies will be enjoying a Medieval Banquet in Bunratty Castle, and staying in this lovely house, Bunratty Villa, which is located right beside the Castle. I will be making my way home but i will be back early tomorrow morning in time to get them to Shannon airport for their flight home to the USA. I will miss my Texans.
Today i parted company with my Texan ladies as they prepared to fly back home to the USA after what was for me a really memorable tour. I know that they also had a great time and it was a sad parting. There was never a bad moment in the whole tour and they always maintained the same fun attitude. Our weather was a mixed bag but the mood was always upbeat and there was always plenty to do. I know that their Irish experience will live long in their memories. It was a memorable time for me also as my granddaughter was awaiting the arrival of her baby. She timed it perfectly as the baby was born in the early hours today, a little girl who is to be named Aoibhe, an Irish name pronounced "Eva".
I promised the ladies that i would post her picture today and here she is, and what a lovely little baby she is. What a pity that my ladies did not get a chance to see her. I am adopting them all as Aoibhe's American
Aunties anyway as i feel that they were all very much a part of this event over the last few days. I hope that she has as many great pals when she grows up as my Texan group of ladies have.
One of my favourite pictures from this lovely tour. From the left: Tea, Kathleen, Johnna, Robin, Karen and Marcie. I just want to extend my thanks to you ladies for allowing me the pleasure of chauffeuring you on this Irish adventure. You were a very special group and we did have a lot of laughs. You will always be welcome back, if the call of the Emerald Isle gets to you again. Thanks girls. You were a class act. Now i have a little break before i start my next tour with
two couples from Mass. next week. Looking forward to meeting Claire and friends. See you soon.