I missed you guys, and it's amazing how much I thought of many of you while I was traveling. Your lives, your jobs, your personalities - I even bought a little Irish soap for Di. (I'll mail it soon!) Every where I went, there was something that reminded me of my online friends. JJ, I didn't buy you anything, but I took a photo of your castle and moat, k?

Allow me to explain the reason for our trip. My father-in-law (Pat) left Ireland for the states when he was 24, and he's never been back. We (all the kids) have tried to get him to go for years. This year he finally agreed, and 15 of our family members went. So after 60 years (he's 84 now), Pat was able to return to his homeland and see his twin sisters (age 87) and his old home and village. It was wonderful!

Dan and I, with our son Ryan (age 16) visited New York for 4 days before heading over to Ireland. I've posted a photo room on Snapfish for anyone wanting to see all the images. If you choose to go there, it's best NOT to choose the slide show because you'll miss the captions. Double click on the first image, then click the "next" button to move through the images. Here's the link:

http://www2.snapfish.com/slideshow/Album...95/t_=101973095

I believe you have to sign up for a free account, but I have never received spam from them so it's safe. For those of you who can't/won't go to the photo room, I'll post a few pictures here.

Enjoy!!
Kathy

Welcome home Kathy. I will get to your pictures later today.

What was a highlight? How did traveling with so much family work for everyone? How was the play in NY?

I know what you mean about thinking about the girls here, when traveling. The smallest things can trigger a great memory and thought about the ones you love, can't they?

I am looking forward to hearing more.

Wow, Kathy....how NICE OF YOU! I am in absolute awe that you thought of me in such a way to buy a soap just for lil' ol' me.

I have a friend who's husband is Irish...he goes twice/year. Not sure how often she goes. His Dad is "up there" in years as well. Sounds like a fun trip....and NY. How did you do? This last time in NJ, we did not make it, but next time I want to go to my old stomping grounds......919 Third, 375 Park Ave (Seagrams Bldg), Rockefeller Center, Saks, Ann Taylor etc.

I LOVE NY!!

Where in Ireland did your Father in Law come from?
Did you think it was lush and green?
Mountain ash

Anno, the New York highlight was definetly "Wicked". In Ireland, it was watching Pat greet his family after 60 years. The rest was just a bonus. Traveling with a large group went better than I thought it would, but that's because we had 4 cars between us. So Dan and I were able to get away and do our own things as much as we wanted. I actually drove part of the time - wrong side of the road with a stick shift - that was fun!

Di, I just saw the Irish soap in a gift shop, and of course you came to mind. I thought a maker of New Mexico soap might like to smell some Irish soap. We were major tourists in New York - rode the tour bus one day, took the harbor cruise another, etc. But we've never been before, so with this overview we now have a good idea of what we might like to do if we ever go back. (Listen to Jazz on Bleeker Street!)

Mountain Ash, Pat was born in Claremorris which is in Mayo County. Yes, it was the most beautiful green place I've ever been!

I'm going to try to post a pic again - it didn't work the last time I did it. This photo is of Pat meeting his twin sisters for the first time in 60 years:

Yea, it worked! Okay, now here's a photo of Queen JJ's castle. See how clean the moat is? That's because if you don't get it clean enough she sicks her alligators after you!

This man was outside of the Guiness Brewery in Dublin, posing for photos. After I took a few, he wanted to talk. When he found out I was from the states, he was very interested in talking politics and the upcoming election. It's pretty amazing how everyone in other countries is so concerned about our presidential candidates - they want the "inside" scoop from the Americans.

This is a beautifl little thatched roof house in the village of Adare, just a short stroll from where we stayed. Adare was a major tourist village; very crowded. Most of these little houses have been turned into shops.

Here's me and Dan, on the grounds of St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin.

Million questions:
First,welcome back!!!
1. Why did Pat come to the states, and why did the sisters not come here to visit or him go there to visit over the 60 years?
2. What did the local want to know about our elections? How you felt? Is the coverage accurate? Etc.?
3. Did you get to see any moors? Any rural areas? if yes, pics?
4. How was the flight, coming and going... airports, etc.?
5. Did you go to a pub, you know, one such as those almost always included in Ireland based movies?
6. What were the biggest differences between there and the states? How's the diversity?