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Celtic Radio Community > Ireland > Ireland Trip, Round Two

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 01-Apr-2007, 07:23 PM

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.

Posted by: haynes9 01-Apr-2007, 08:36 PM

Wow, sounds like an exciting trip! Looking forward to hearing about it and seeing the photos.

Have a great day!

Posted by: maggiemahone1 01-Apr-2007, 08:46 PM

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.

maggiemahone1

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 02-Apr-2007, 03:49 PM

Is this her first trip over there?

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.

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 28-Apr-2007, 06:34 PM

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.

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 28-Apr-2007, 06:50 PM

Shelly and George dangling off the cliffs of Inis Mor at Dun-Aonghusa fort.

Posted by: Irish Stepper 30-Apr-2007, 04:59 PM

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...

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 30-Apr-2007, 06:35 PM

I'll be posting many pictures in the Photo Gallery under the Ireland and Castle sections. Check them out, there's some nice ones.

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 06-May-2007, 11:03 AM

On our hike up the hill to the fort.

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 06-May-2007, 11:10 AM

Group shot at the castle on the Cliffs of Moher.

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 13-May-2007, 06:44 PM

Annabelle sitting on the rock wall outside the house that we all rented for the week.

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 13-May-2007, 06:57 PM

Annabelle in front of Shrule Castle, Shrule, Co. Mayo.

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 20-May-2007, 04:34 PM

Annabelle at the Church of High Crosses, Kilfonora.

Posted by: maggiemahone1 20-May-2007, 06:17 PM

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?

maggiemahone1

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 20-May-2007, 09:22 PM

QUOTE (maggiemahone1 @ 20-May-2007, 07:17 PM)

BTW... did your Mamma go?

maggiemahone1

Yep, here she is meeting her first cousin for the very first time.

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 20-May-2007, 09:25 PM

QUOTE (maggiemahone1 @ 20-May-2007, 07:17 PM)

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?

maggiemahone1

I have some rocks for you. Been very busy with our upcoming business, that I haven't had time to pack them up yet. I'll get them in the mail this week......I hope.

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 20-May-2007, 09:40 PM

QUOTE (maggiemahone1 @ 20-May-2007, 07:17 PM)

BTW... did your Mamma go?

maggiemahone1

And here she is with Annabelle in front of the church, across the street from Donegal Castle.

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 21-May-2007, 04:43 PM

Found out where my g-grandmother, Honora Carty Egan, was born and this is all that is left of the house she grew up in. Brackloon Shrule, Co. Mayo.

Posted by: maggiemahone1 21-May-2007, 06:25 PM

ASE, tell your Mamma I enjoyed seeing her picture with her cousin.
I'll be checking my mail!

maggiemahone1

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 23-Jul-2007, 08:05 PM

Oh yea! Annabelle and I took our turn dangling from the side of the cliffs of Inishmore. Or, at least, I was a bit more adventurous.

Posted by: Drothgord 24-Jul-2007, 05:22 AM

Thank you for sharing these photos..

It would be the best if i could visit Ireland someday.. what the heck, i will!

Posted by: maggiemahone1 24-Jul-2007, 08:03 AM

QUOTE (A Shrule Egan @ 23-Jul-2007, 09:05 PM)

Oh yea! Annabelle and I took our turn dangling from the side of the cliffs of Inishmore. Or, at least, I was a bit more adventurous.

Mike I noticed you were holding on to Annabelle when that pic was taken, so I guess if you went over the cliff she was going with you!

Have a good day!

maggiemahone1

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 24-Jul-2007, 03:49 PM

QUOTE (maggiemahone1 @ 24-Jul-2007, 09:03 AM)

Mike I noticed you were holding on to Annabelle when that pic was taken, so I guess if you went over the cliff she was going with you!

Have a good day!

maggiemahone1

As you can see by that phony smile, that Scottish wench was up to NO-GOOD. You bet I was holding on to her belt. It was 330 feet down and she was coming along for the ride, if she decided to start pushing.

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 09-Feb-2008, 02:44 PM

Annabelle and Ross Abbey, Headford, Co. Galway.

Posted by: lawrence50 11-Mar-2008, 12:14 PM

I am leaving for Ireland May 31st and am counting down the days. It is my dream trip of a lifetime and hopefully I will keep going back

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 12-Mar-2008, 06:39 PM

QUOTE (lawrence50 @ 11-Mar-2008, 01:14 PM)

I am leaving for Ireland May 31st and am counting down the days. It is my dream trip of a lifetime and hopefully I will keep going back

Any particular plans that you have layed out for the trip?

I feel the urge to head back there myself. It's been almost a year and I miss that green island.

Posted by: lawrence50 12-Mar-2008, 08:54 PM

First trip over and we are taking a Tralfalgar Tour. First night in Dublin, then a night in Waterford,2 nights in Kenmare,1 night in Limerick,1 night in Galway,a night in Sligo and 2 more nights in Dublin. When we go back the next time we will have figured out what part of the country we would like to explore further and do it on our own.

Posted by: maggiemahone1 12-Mar-2008, 09:32 PM

Have lots of craic over in the Emerald Isle!

Sounds like you got a plan that includes a lot of fun and adventure! Are you going with a group on a bus or doing a car rental? Will be looking for some pics and details of your trip!

Posted by: maggiemahone1 12-Mar-2008, 09:34 PM

Sorry, I didn't read your post as good as I should have. You are taking a tour...

Posted by: lawrence50 13-Mar-2008, 06:50 AM

Yes love that designated driver. Will post pics. It's only 80 days away but who is counting

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 13-Mar-2008, 06:33 PM

I wouldn't have suggested taking a tour, even for your first trip there but, in your case, being Canadian, the Trafalgar tours work out as a better deal when it comes to the Euro verses the Canadian dollar. Just make sure you do all the rest of your trips to Ireland on your own. That's when you will see the true Ireland. Not the tourist Ireland. I think you will understand what I mean after you have finished your trip.

Enjoy and by all means, mingle with the Irish as much as you can. They will melt your heart and put a smile on your face with their generosity and warm welcomes.

Do me a favor. When an American-Irish goes to Ireland, the Irish always say, "A Yank has come home". Find out what the Irish say when a Canadian-Irish visits Ireland.

Posted by: lawrence50 13-Mar-2008, 09:24 PM

Will do and report back when I am back

Posted by: Finduella 29-May-2008, 07:53 AM

dear Shrule Egan, I noticed in an earlier post that you bring rocks back with you, I do too.
When I came back from Scotland and Ireland a bought back 3 kilo's of beach rocks , I love them and I have found my family really adore them,sometimes treasuring them more than the gifts I buy.
I thought it was a fairly excentric thing to do and I'm glad the airport customes didn't mention it !

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 29-May-2008, 06:46 PM

The bulk of the rocks that I have brought back from Ireland, are from the Egan farm in Brackloon Shrule, Co. Mayo. I've sent most of those off to my cousins, since I know, they will never get the chance to go to Ireland and see the place for themselves. Not one of them have ever said, they don't want the rock. As far as I know, each one has been placed on a mantle or shelf and displayed proudly.

Posted by: maggiemahone1 29-May-2008, 08:40 PM

I'm not a relative of Egan's

, he's kind enough to send me rocks thru the mail (for the past 2 years)and I appreciate it so much...and they are on my mantel. I prize them greatly!!!

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 31-May-2008, 02:24 PM

QUOTE (maggiemahone1 @ 29-May-2008, 10:40 PM)

I'm not a relative of Egan's

, he's kind enough to send me rocks thru the mail (for the past 2 years)and I appreciate it so much...and they are on my mantel. I prize them greatly!!!

So Patty, when are you going to pack your bags and go to Ireland and collect your own rocks? I'm sure you will find it much more rewarding then receiving the rocks I send you.