Ireland, getting there is half the fun

We finally had lift-off from Charlottesville on Sunday night.  We drove to Dulles with just a few U-turns to make it to our hotel for the night.  We hit the sack quick and started out fresh on our journey to Shannon by way of New York JFK International Airport.  As you can tell we travel light (this was just our carry-ons!)

A wonderful sight, making progress to the International terminal, sight are getting greener.....

Two happy travelers tucked in their seats, ready to launch....

We hit the tarmac in Shannon at 5:30am, but couldn't see the green fields as sunrise was not until 8:19, so we hit the road for the ride to Salthill.  I love the address: Threadneedle Court, Threadneedle Lane LOVE, LOVE, LOVE.  

Typical Irish weather is overcast.  This is the view from the kitchen window on our first day looking towards Galway Bay, the gray dampness didn't dampen our moods.

We recharged our batteries with breakfast, a lie down and a shower then off to downtown Galway.

Lunch was at The Dáil Bar where we had our first Guinness, fish and chips and warm soup.  Then we went into shops and walked the streets.  

We then pulled into the The Skeff Bar and Kitchen for a little R&R, tea, dessert and libations....

Looking forward to tomorrow, stay tuned....

Céad Míle Fáilte

One hundred thousand welcomes

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Looking forward to my second trip to Ireland in as many years.  Definitely an advantage to having family there.  Not any family though, my wonderful brother and sister - in - law, Dan and Amy Robins.

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I am going with Kayla and Brant this year, which means another adult vacation, how blessed I am.  This trip is a gift to Kayla for her graduation from grad school.  Brings back memories of when my parents took my brother, sister and myself the summer we had all finished grad school, for 2 weeks of Ireland, England, Scotland.

Joyce Country Sheep Dogs is a staple of each visitor that gets to experience Amy's Irish Adventures (that's my sister in laws business, right up her alley from her days at Explore Columbus).  They are famous for the quality sheepdogs and for the Jennifer Aniston trip to Ireland in the movie, Marley and Me.

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Then there is the fine Irish music.  My favorite group is still the Clancy Brothers.  I grew up listening to Irish music.  My parents saw The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem on a tour in the US, sure wish that I had.  BRIMS is our local Irish Music School, offering lessons in Irish flute, fiddle, tin whistle, traditional dance and more.  I really want to figure out how to work it into my homeschool curriculum.

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What's not to love about having a few in pubs that look this cute.  I even went to a bar in Galway that had a tap with a credit card machine at the table so there was no waiting on others to serve you.  

I am still waiting to find the perfect thatched cottage to talk my brother husband into buying.  Here are some images I fell in love with.

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Looks similar to some I saw on the Aran Islands last time I was there

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This one is pretty fancy....

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Love the rolling green fields in the background

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One of my favorite movies of all time is, drum roll please.......

You guessed it, The Quiet Man.

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Guess what we are going to watch for movie night tonight?  You guessed it.  Netflix here I come.  Hope to be back along the way to document my trip.  So much to take in.  I really feel like I was born in Ireland and Camden, NJ was a typo on my birth certificate.

Sláinte

 (To Your Health)

Kelly