9/12/17-- The drive from Clifden to Dublin today was 3.5 hours--- we checked in to the hotel Clayton; it's really nice- Dublin is the capital of Ireland & we did the Guinness tour.  Bob went back since he caught such a terrible cold.
After the tour & we went walked around ( in the rain for a while)... then all of us except Bob ate at the oldest Pub in Dublin; The Brazen Head... established in the 1198- Woa!!- photo of menu attached.
Then Jeanie took us to the Temple Bar district.... it was a cobble street heavy pedestrian party area-we went to The Temple Bare, it was really neat ( photo below)... we are all sort of tired & "light weights" this eve- since it was a travel day... more to see in Dublin tomorrow.

9/11/17- yesterday we traveled from Clare Island to Clifden.  All the relatives saw us off at the Pier.
They are so warm & friendly... Susan, Pauric, Helen, Chris & Nellie all saw us off at the Pier.
Our relatives run the Ferry service & the waters were rough.   Since Eily Vaughn had made the trip to the Island to be w/ us on Sat eve- the ladies all drove together in her car... she is an absolute sweetheart!   The Group wanted to tour a Castle along the way, but Eily mentioned she had asked Tom to put a "Fire on"... so the offer to go back to her house & lie down was really appreciated and I took her up on it!!  I enjoyed my one on one time w/ Eily very much and meeting her husband Tom & seeing their beautiful home was a perfect afternoon & of course I had a cup of tea.

 We ended up checking in to the Abbeyglen Castle in Clifden yesterday. My first time staying in a castle😉- Clifden is a Great town !- we all shopped; we had to go to  Carol Ann's store...
"The Vintage  had seafood chowder for lunch & walked around today. ( finished my souvenir shopping for the little ones)- back at the castle now resting & we are invited to Jackie & Marion's house for a drink before going out for a nice dinner. We will meet the Father of the many cousins who have entertained us tonight; Jackie O Grady the author of the book.

Bob & Jeanie have arranged for a very special evening by treating everyone to a wonderful Dinner to honor Jackie and give us all a chance to be acquainted w/ him and his beautiful wife.

 

I thought this tower looked like a "Rook"- I snuck in some exercise here tucked away where I hoped no one could see me.

 

Our Castle awaits!

The Entrance... notice the warm glow in the fireplace... Lovely!!

 

Picturesque!

Today we hiked to the Abbey (church)  & cemetery  It was a nice walk & I noticed they have Angus cattle on the island.  Pauric... who is a 2nd cousin to my Dad gave us a wonderful tour. It is a very Quaint place where they know everyone & even know who the free range chickens belong to.  I was a little tired; I had joined Susan on a private beach this morn ( nothing like your own beach on the Atlantic) she swam; while I waded in the cool ocean. ( I did some yoga on the beach & thoroughly enjoyed myself)--- I ended up resting a while this afternoon because this evening Susan & Pauric have invited us to their home for dinner where we will meet more relatives- They are
 Such  warm, friendly people & can tell stories for days... it's been great!  Picts from the hike attached... one special thing I was able to light a candle in the church here... of course I prayed for all my family; and Gave many thanks for our safe Journey... & a special prayer for Dad..."I made it to where it all began Dad" 💕 

So I have to add, ... I was not able to quite keep up w/ the Pace of the others...they all took a ride w/Chris way up a steep hill to the light house...  (I  was not up to it at the time) Upon waking from my nap though Helen announced that " anyone who wanted to leave the Island the next day had to leave on the 10 a.m Ferry; the weather was expected to be bad)... so there went my thoughts about seeing the Light House on Sunday.... we didn't have to be at dinner until 7:30 at Susan's house... it was about 4:30... I decided to look for a taxi ride to see the Light House, now I am "cramming a bit" , but  I am determined to see the Light House, after reading Jackie's book, I HAD to get there!!- No Taxi's were avail... the Island was a bit desolate due to a "Foot Ball" game on the neighboring Island... Of course Bob was being protective... & honestly I did NOT realize how far it was to the Lighthouse, so anyway he joined me & actually did a great job of using his charm to get us a ride w/ Terry a woman who was helping the Lighthouse Staff for the weekend at the Lighthouse... so he tells me that it has been converted to a hotel, but they charge close to 600 Euro/ night; so we chose not to logde there, besides we want to stay at the Inn run by our relatives.  They do a great job!
Bob & I did have to walk back, and we made it back by 7:00... but I was worried because we had broken the Rule... we left the Inn & did not tell the others where we were going....( my bad, but this all started w/ me thinking I was grabbing a taxi & I had told Bob, but then he joined me- Woops) He tried to text of course there was a "message failure"... It was actually great to make it up to the Light House though & I enjoyed the fast paced walk back w/ Bob- we hoofed it!!

The Dinner party was Extraordinary... they do too much & spoil us... it is wonderful to meet and be related to this group- "the whole Lot"; as they would say.  They served a Pollack fish that Pauric had caught the week before, isn't that amazing!!!  Of course afterwards we had to go meet up w/ Helen at Sailors Pub, by then it was about 11 p.m.- We ended up drinking a few more pints and they had Irish music... so of course I had to dance the Irish dancing I had always seen the Creighton's do many years ago - I gave it a good Go, & then fell on my rear end in front of everyone, not my finest hour- but we had a Blast!!  It was our last night on the Island, so of course Dave and I stayed out until 2 a.m.- Memories to last a Lifetime!!

Angus Cattle in the field

Hike in the wind!

markings on the sheep, they share pasture here.

 

 

I made it to the Light House... Thank you Bob, I Love You!!

 

Private Yoga Sesh in the morn on the Atlantic- Awesome!!  Susan gets photo creds + she swam- Brrr!

Thinking of my Loved ones!!

Susan & Pauric; our Amazing Host couple!

 

Jeanine w/ Nellie... Jackie's sister ( what a sweetie!)

 

During Dinner... Joe Beatty, myself, Eily Vaughn & Susan O'Grady

@ The Sailors Pub... the guy that worked there wanted to be a part of our Family - Ha!

 

When in Ireland...(too much Fun!!)

9-8-17

Oh these days have been full. I can't believe we are on Clare Island today... my ancestors on my Paternal grandmothers side left here 4 generations ago... we are 4th generation descendants. Our Irish cousins greeted us at the pier when we arrived this afternoon... it was so nice of them to take our luggage in cars; so we could walk up the hill to the B&B which is run by Helen  & Alan; our Irish cousins.  The rooms are great!!

We had a great hike & checked out the Island... the ground was wet; and it was more a climb
than a hike- it's beautiful; lush green & mostly sheep farmers.  We went to dinner at the only Restaurant on the island; Sailors Pub- it was a great pub & very good!
 Dave has sent a link w/ lots of Picts.
I will have to upload Picts another time- I need to get some sleep. I feel like I haven't slept in days.
Must be the time change & excitement... we have met so many Relation.. visited w/ Chris tonight.
Susan asked me to take a dip in the ocean tomorrow- we will see... Brrrr
Good night for now!!

Journal entry: 9/6/17

We arrived in Shannon Ireland at 6 am- met Uncle Joe & Karolyn
Drove straight to Cliffs of Moher- it was super Windy...it's one of the top tourism  spots
In Ireland ...&  has breath taking views over the Atlantic Ocean.  We walked all around & had to take lots of pict!!

We drove through
Lisdoonvarna- which is the matchmakers Capitol for Ireland.- I think that's a hoot!

Had  lunch in Kinvarna; they take lunch time seriously; and the restaurants don't serve lunch until noon here. We arrived at the VRBO... a 3 flat on the bay; very cute... & an outstanding location. We got in about 2:30 pm

DInner was amazing at Michael Ogrady's Resraurant. Kirwans Lane.  He sent us Champagne, wine & appetizers... they are such generous & giving people!!

We met up w/ our Irish cousins... Elena & Jack- Great People!!  They took us to a few Pubs afterward; and I had my first Irish Whiskey.... it was really smooth, called Green Spot; it's def the best whiskey I have ever tasted!  A Fabulous first day!!