Off to Ireland for my second ever trip there, in a few weeks. Already started packing and have a new camera ready to click off some excellent scenes.
Rented a house on Loch Corrib, just outside of Headford, Co. Galway. http://www.iwhh.com/details.asp?recordID=146 and the cost is about $550 for 8 days, with electric. Two castles are on the property, at waters edge, so, that should make for some nice pictures.
Already made arrangements to meet up with some of the relatives in the Shrule area and also in Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal. That will be fun to meet up with them again, especially, since my 83 year old mother and my cousin from California are coming along for this trip. My mother will be meeting her 92 year old first cousin, that I located over there two years ago.
We also were able to set up a tour of the Higgins & Co. Irish rugs in Claremorris, Co. Mayo. Turns out, the owner is related to me in a long about way and he offered to take us on a tour of the company. http://www.celticdesigncollection.com/
So, I'm getting all pumped up and Yes Patti, I will bring back more rocks from all over Ireland for you.
Hopefully, I will post many pictures in the gallery. Stay tuned. I WILL have one very interesting photo to share.
I'm so excited for you and your Mom. I think it's great that your taking her with you. Is this her first trip over there? I still have my rocks you sent me your last trip on my mantel above the fireplace. I am really curious about the picture, can you throw some hints? $550.00 sounds like a good deal for an 8 day stay in a house. You can't stay in a motel for that price here...I'll be looking forward to the pictures and the rocks.
No, she had been once before, about 30+ years ago. She stayed with her cousins, from her mothers side of the family, in Ballyshannon. We could never find any relatives from the Shrule area. Turns out, most had left Ireland and were living here in New Jersey. One of them, only 5 miles away. Nobody knew!!
I am really curious about the picture, can you throw some hints?
Lets just say, you will be envious.
We start the trip right off the plane at Shannon. At 8 AM, we drive out to the Cliffs of Moher, while fighting the rush hour traffic around Ennis. Then drive along the coast, up to Galway. The woman who owns the house was nice enough to let us come in before 4 PM. After she realized who I was related to, she said she would just stick the key on the door and we can show up whenever we would like. Nice to be a namedropper.
We then hit the grocery store and relax for a few hours, then head out to the Highway Pub in Shrule. Spend 2 days with relatives, then we are off to explore Ireland for the rest of the week.
OK, back from Ireland and here's the picture that I promised.
Yes, that's Annabelle, Irish Stepper and her husband George and myself. We just finished riding around the Aran Islands in a jaunting cart, like the one in "The Quiet Man" movie.
We kept telling everyone to show up at the Celtic Classic in Bethlehem and that we had something planned but nobody showed up.
We ended up renting a house in Annakeen, Co. Galway for $600 and split the cost.
Group: Celtic Nation
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Joined: 15-Dec-2003 Zodiac: Oak
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This trip was SO much fun! Mike and I had a hard time keeping it a secret from Annabelle that I was going. The look on her face at the airport when she saw me was PRICELESS! "I can't believe you're here!"
I'll try to post some pictures in the next couple days...
thanks for posting the pictures. You surely surprised me when you posted the pictures of Annabelle, Irish Stepper and her hubby I'm glad you all had a great trip. BTW... did your Mamma go?