Ireland Trip

Trip to Ireland Trip

May 2002

So here we were, just landed in Shannon, with a rental car waiting, a map of Ireland in hand, seven different Bed and Breakfasts scheduled, and "dinner" in a castle just three miles a way.

Jackie had a detailed plan laid out for us. This was our first European trip and she was very prepared. The deal was: seven nights in Ireland; the first in the hotel (actually a motel) near Shannon, the next six nights at the bead and breakfast of our choice, a rental car for all seven days, and airfare included. A great package.

Jackie had poured over he descriptions of all the bed and breakfasts, and we had examined all the tour books. We had maps and used them to draw out our battle plan. There were a number of places we didn't really care to see -such as the Blarney Stone. We did want to see the Grange, as it was thousands of years older than the pyramids. Looking back the only mistake we made - and it was a significant mistake - was looking at the size of Ireland and thinking we would drive along roads as if in America. We'll never make that error again.

Seeing the cattle right beside the runway, having been told by the rental car escort that we better remember to drive on the "correct" side of the road and that we "damn well better not lose the rearview mirror on the driver's side of the car", and scratching our heads over the operation of the shower, we were not certain all our confusion was flight-lag based.

That first evening we were scheduled to have a "tour get together" - we may have arrived as a group, but we were on our own after this night. We got Irish Coffees to go around and a short picture tour. We were warned about new driving habits and the enthusiasm of the police for taking speed readings from machines along the road and then stopping you for a speeding ticket at the next town.

When asked by one of the group if we would see castles, the hostess said, "You will see so many castles that bb y the end of the second day, you'll drive by one and say, 'Oh, that's just another one of those castles.' " She was correct, however we still stopped by everyone one we could.

We ended the night, as it was Jackie's birthday, at a special middle ages meal at a nearby castle. A serving trench, a large spoon, use of your greasy fingers and no other utensils. A grate deal of entertainment, singing, dancing and bagpipes - an entertaining evening.

Pictures are Not Organized, and No Commentary to go with them Yet

NOTE: Sorry, but these pictures were taken on my first digital camera. As an early model, it was what it was - and I've had to play more than usual to bring the pictures up to snuff. I had to throw out too many pictures that I just couldn't work with. These remaining pictures do not had the true color I'd like, and I've had to sharpen them too much )