My parents came to Ireland for what has been our best week here to date. We toured the countryside, had a few pints, took in the local flavor, kissed a stone called blarney, and simply had a blast doing it.
The visit started with a knock on our door early Sunday morning. I was awake but Christina was still sleeping as our visitors were more than a few hours early. The flight was fast, they didn’t have to wait for their bags, and the drive from Shannon was actually quick. Not that we are complaining but we were still in our pajamas when they arrived. A nice breakfast later and we were off to check in at their B and B and to walk at the beach at Salthill. It was a beautiful welcoming day, with hardly a cloud in the sky, and the beach was crowded as Co. Galway was playing Co. Mayo in a Gaelic Football match at the nearby stadium. Galway was victorious and there were celebrations all over town.
That night we my cousin Tara and her husband Rich (also visiting for the week) came over to hang out. We stayed up nice and late sharing Ireland stories and sharing what each of us has deeed as "not to miss" places to see. We were so excited since they mentioned Dingle and that was our plan for later that week.
Monday was our trip to County Mayo, site of the Gronell-Burke homestead. My Mom, being a Gronell, had never been there so it was an emotional day for her. It is her grandmother’s old home that we saw.
We toured the grounds for about two hours. Taking pictures, walking around, and finding fun bits and bobs (letters, postcards, kitchen tools…). Eventually we visited with the family who bought the land, who happened to be old family friends of my mom’s parents. We even got to see the cemetery where some of our family was buried.
Monday night we went to McDonagh’s for the best fish and chips in Ireland (again) and then
made it to Taaffe’s pub for trad music. What a happy occasion to spend time at two of our favorite places with family.
Tuesday was a day to be in Galway. We had lunch at the hospital so my parents could see where Christina worked where she gave us the full tour. Afterwards we walked around town some more. That evening we got to share Monroes with my parents for set dancing. We watched as feet flew and woment spun faster than our eyes could keep up with. My mom, being the loving and friendly woman that she is, and definitely not someone to miss out on a golden opportunity, took the chance to speak with Carmelita, the best dancer on the floor. Carmelita said that when she dances its like all of the worlds problems disappear- the joy and excitement that she shows on her face when she dances certainly portrays that.
Wednesday we picked Christina up after work and headed south to County Cork and the town of Cobh, (pronounced ‘cove’). Cobh was the last port of call for the Titanic and we had heard that it was a beautiful little city, it did not disappoint. We found a great cheap b and b and had a nice dinner while watching the Champions League soccer final. My dad particularly loved that Liverpool sang long into the night, dispite being the LOSING team! You would never find that in the states. Probably they were just drowning their sorrows but it was still fun.
Thursday we toured Cobh and the titanic/ famine/ irish heritage museum before heading off to Blarney Castle. The Castle was wonderful. We took lots of pictures and toured the grounds gardens in addition to kissing the stone of course. As you may know kissing the Blarney Stone i
s supposed to give you “the gift of gab”. My mom joked that she didn’t need the gift of gab but instead needed to find the “shut the hell up stone” so we found that stone too and she kissed it. Afterwards at a pub for dinner my dad said that he didn’t think he had been given the gift of gab to which I replied, keep drinking!!
Thursday we drove to Dingle Peninsula and Dingle town, although they are trying to switch its name to An Daingean much to the chagrin of the residents. Dingle was and is the most beautiful place we have seen in all of Ireland! It was covered in the greenest rolling hills covered with tufts of sheep and winding stone walls up the steepest of places that i can't imagine how they got them there. Not to mention the craggy cliffs and beautiful blue and green ocean and crashing waves. We drove around the coastal road which took so long since there was a new and even more beautiful scene every 50 feet literally! It is simply awesome, a site not to be missed.
Friday we toured the rest of the peninsula, stopping almost every mile to take pictures from a new even more beautiful vantage point. After a hard day of sightseeing we headed to town in search of ice cream and not just any ice cream… Murphy’s ice cream! Made from the cream of cows right there in Dingle and filled with the best ingredients, like honeycomb, baileys irish cream, lavendar or strawberries that made the ice cream actually taste like creamed strawberries! It was awesome! After licking our spoons thoroughly we went back to the b and b to rest up before dinner. The fresh seafood at Out of the Blue (seafood only) restaurant was heavenly. My dad and I had the sea bass while the ladies had scallops. It was the best meal we have had since we have been here.
Saturday was spent mostly in the car as we made our way back to Galway. We did manage to see the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren so that was a great way to break up the trip.
Sunday we opted for a much needed lazy day in Galway and thus more quality time together. We filled the day with some shopping and lots of card playing.
And thus our time with the Rinehimer’s came to an end. Great visitors, great countryside, great memories!!
The visit started with a knock on our door early Sunday morning. I was awake but Christina was still sleeping as our visitors were more than a few hours early. The flight was fast, they didn’t have to wait for their bags, and the drive from Shannon was actually quick. Not that we are complaining but we were still in our pajamas when they arrived. A nice breakfast later and we were off to check in at their B and B and to walk at the beach at Salthill. It was a beautiful welcoming day, with hardly a cloud in the sky, and the beach was crowded as Co. Galway was playing Co. Mayo in a Gaelic Football match at the nearby stadium. Galway was victorious and there were celebrations all over town.
That night we my cousin Tara and her husband Rich (also visiting for the week) came over to hang out. We stayed up nice and late sharing Ireland stories and sharing what each of us has deeed as "not to miss" places to see. We were so excited since they mentioned Dingle and that was our plan for later that week.
Monday was our trip to County Mayo, site of the Gronell-Burke homestead. My Mom, being a Gronell, had never been there so it was an emotional day for her. It is her grandmother’s old home that we saw.
We toured the grounds for about two hours. Taking pictures, walking around, and finding fun bits and bobs (letters, postcards, kitchen tools…). Eventually we visited with the family who bought the land, who happened to be old family friends of my mom’s parents. We even got to see the cemetery where some of our family was buried.
Monday night we went to McDonagh’s for the best fish and chips in Ireland (again) and then
made it to Taaffe’s pub for trad music. What a happy occasion to spend time at two of our favorite places with family.Tuesday was a day to be in Galway. We had lunch at the hospital so my parents could see where Christina worked where she gave us the full tour. Afterwards we walked around town some more. That evening we got to share Monroes with my parents for set dancing. We watched as feet flew and woment spun faster than our eyes could keep up with. My mom, being the loving and friendly woman that she is, and definitely not someone to miss out on a golden opportunity, took the chance to speak with Carmelita, the best dancer on the floor. Carmelita said that when she dances its like all of the worlds problems disappear- the joy and excitement that she shows on her face when she dances certainly portrays that.
Wednesday we picked Christina up after work and headed south to County Cork and the town of Cobh, (pronounced ‘cove’). Cobh was the last port of call for the Titanic and we had heard that it was a beautiful little city, it did not disappoint. We found a great cheap b and b and had a nice dinner while watching the Champions League soccer final. My dad particularly loved that Liverpool sang long into the night, dispite being the LOSING team! You would never find that in the states. Probably they were just drowning their sorrows but it was still fun.
Thursday we toured Cobh and the titanic/ famine/ irish heritage museum before heading off to Blarney Castle. The Castle was wonderful. We took lots of pictures and toured the grounds gardens in addition to kissing the stone of course. As you may know kissing the Blarney Stone i
s supposed to give you “the gift of gab”. My mom joked that she didn’t need the gift of gab but instead needed to find the “shut the hell up stone” so we found that stone too and she kissed it. Afterwards at a pub for dinner my dad said that he didn’t think he had been given the gift of gab to which I replied, keep drinking!!Thursday we drove to Dingle Peninsula and Dingle town, although they are trying to switch its name to An Daingean much to the chagrin of the residents. Dingle was and is the most beautiful place we have seen in all of Ireland! It was covered in the greenest rolling hills covered with tufts of sheep and winding stone walls up the steepest of places that i can't imagine how they got them there. Not to mention the craggy cliffs and beautiful blue and green ocean and crashing waves. We drove around the coastal road which took so long since there was a new and even more beautiful scene every 50 feet literally! It is simply awesome, a site not to be missed.
Friday we toured the rest of the peninsula, stopping almost every mile to take pictures from a new even more beautiful vantage point. After a hard day of sightseeing we headed to town in search of ice cream and not just any ice cream… Murphy’s ice cream! Made from the cream of cows right there in Dingle and filled with the best ingredients, like honeycomb, baileys irish cream, lavendar or strawberries that made the ice cream actually taste like creamed strawberries! It was awesome! After licking our spoons thoroughly we went back to the b and b to rest up before dinner. The fresh seafood at Out of the Blue (seafood only) restaurant was heavenly. My dad and I had the sea bass while the ladies had scallops. It was the best meal we have had since we have been here.
Saturday was spent mostly in the car as we made our way back to Galway. We did manage to see the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren so that was a great way to break up the trip.
Sunday we opted for a much needed lazy day in Galway and thus more quality time together. We filled the day with some shopping and lots of card playing.
And thus our time with the Rinehimer’s came to an end. Great visitors, great countryside, great memories!!
1 comment:
I want to come! Everything you are doing sounds like so much fun! Love the Blog, keep up the good work.
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