Apologies for the lack of updates!

Hello all!

I am really sorry that I haven't been able to post more from the trip, but it's been a bit of a whirlwind! We get up, have breakfast, drive to our sight seeing event for that day,, then drive to our next destination, have dinner and drinks, and do it all over again.

What I can tell you is this:

1. If you have never been to Ireland you should definitely make a point to visit if possible. The people are friendly, the food is good and the country is gorgeous beyond description.
2. Driving on the left side of the road can be mastered with some patience and practice. It helps if one drives and one navigates. Use your side view mirrors to make sure you're in the center of the lane.
3. The sun does shine in Ireland, it's not just rain all the time.
4. Be sure you like having your picture taken in the raincoat you're wearing because you'll be wearing it a good bit.
5. The Guinness really does taste great over here.

And that's all I have for now. We have had a truly marvelous trip. I will post pics and stories as I can. 

tomorrow it is back to the USA.

Thank you Ireland and your people for all the wonderful memories!

Slaincha (Cheers!)

Dee

Day one in Ireland

Day one in Ireland = Amazing

We landed in Dublin around 4 p.m. local time. The first order of business was getting our rental car. Knowing we were going to have to drive on the left side of the road driving on the right side of the vehicle gave us both some anxiety but Chris was brave and took the plunge and with only a slight amount of drama we arrived at our hotel, the Hotel Maldron in Smithfield Square. We lucked out and got a free parking spot in front of the hotel. After check in and with bags unloaded it was time to head to The Brazen Head, Ireland's oldest pub, established around 1198. The place was packed but we managed to score a seat at one of the many bars and had our first Guinness in Ireland.

Although he is hard to see in this pic our bartender was the quintessential Irish bartender, the perfect mix of charm, cheekiness and wild (but true) stories to be thoroughly engaging. The  mix of locals and tourists at the bar only added to the joyful atmosphere as the Irish are truly charming and gracious. Chris snagged a table for us and it was time for dinner. Onion rings, fish and ships and Irish stew. One odd thing to note is that the area of the Brazen had we were in was plastered with one dollar bills and other foreign currency signed by those who left it.

Dinner was incredible, I will have to find the pics and post them -  and with full bellies we strolled back over the river to the Cobblestone, a classic Irish pub for a nightcap before heading in for the night.

Day two - The Guinness Storehouse and Chris' 50th in Kilkenny

Headed to Ireland

Hello all!

Chris and I are headed to Ireland for his 50th birthday! Stay tuned for updates!