Ireland

Cliffs of Moher

Tower at Cliffs

Lake Magselllpuddy

Sunday, Sept. 2

I like Ireland.

With the thought in mind that I would be asked the question in class, I asked several Irish people what they thought was the "essence of Ireland" Here are some of the answers:

"They have a lot of pride in their traditions and history"

"The weather won't kill you"

"It used to be called the land of Saints and Sinners, but since the boom and bust of the last ten years, it isn't any more"

The one I like the best "It is mellow and laid back"

Ireland has cradle to the grave social services with medical care and education through University level free. The countryside which we saw was very like England, The limestone walls edging the fields were erected without mortar. Nearer to Dublin the walls gave way to green hedges. Many charming cottages were dotted about the landscape with immaculate and colorful gardens. Wildflowers grew abundantly in the fields. Ruins of old monasteries and castles appeared every few miles.

We went ashore in our lifeboats. I feel better about being shipwrecked now that I have ridden in one. They were sturdy and felt safe.

Our first stop was The Cliffs of Moher which everyone has probably seen in travelogues. Quite spectacular. We travelled through the burrins, which are a limestone layer of rock eroded by water so that they appear as scattered rocks but in between they have little canyons which may descend several feet. We had a wonderful irish stew for lunch at Casidies of Carson (I love the irish food). Then on to Bunratty Castle and a medeaval dinner. This was a very touristy place but well done with good food and music. We stayed the night in Killarny. After a full irish breakfast of eggs, bacon etc. we were off to the oak covered mountains of Megrellputty Reek and the two lakes at their feet. We took a boat ride to Muckross Park, a simulated 14th century farm (another tourist trap, but also well done) and then to Kilarny for the night. Our bus driver joined us in the bar for dinner and regaled us with irish tales.

Sunday we drove to Dublin and back to the ship. It was a very nice trip.

Personal notes;

Some minor problems in my life. I brought the wrong cord to attach to my camera to unload pictures. Did you know that this does not matter because you can take out the memory card and it attaches to the computer. I also forget my pin number to my ATM account so have no money!!! Hopefully that can be rectified soon. Then my Kindle broke. Why or how I don't understand. I will have to return it to Amazon when get back. In the meantime I shall have to use the Kindle on my computer so that is also not a major disaster.

Thursday will be another day of rest. If I time myself this way I don't get too tired!