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?

Welcome Home Mate! Beautiful Photos! I will def. check out the others as well. I love the picture of the old man. It looks like an oil painting.
Can't wait to hear and see more. I've never been to Ireland. Just seeing the gardens would be worth it. You sure you didn't see the Queen walking the alligators on a very long leash?

Welcome home, Kathy and thanks so much for the great photos! It sounds so awesome!

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?
ANSWER: Pat's father wanted him to become a priest and sent him to seminary school for several years. Pat didn't want to be a priest, didn't get along well with his father, and left on uncomfortable terms. Pat never wanted to go back, he "wanted to remember it like it was". His sisters have never flown and have no intention to now; in fact, they already want him to come back.

2. What did the local want to know about our elections? How you felt? Is the coverage accurate? Etc.?
ANSWER:We weren't able to talk long, but he was very intersested in the election, as well as our economy. He wanted to know if it was as bad as they heard, and apparently Ireland is also going through a similar economic crisis. He seemed to want to compare the media reports with someone who lives in the states.

3. Did you get to see any moors? Any rural areas? if yes, pics?
ANSWER: Not sure if I saw any moors - would I know if I did? Most of the west side of Ireland seemed to be rural. Miles and miles of pastoral land, rock and ivy hedges, cows, sheep, and narrow roads.

4. How was the flight, coming and going... airports, etc.?
ANSWER: Flights going were fine. We flew from Ontario, CA to JFK in New York, then a few days later flew from JFK to Shannon, Ireland. Coming home was another story. Our 6.5 hour flight from Shannon to JFK last Sunday was delayed 5 hours because of thunderstorms in New York. We sat on the runway in Boston for hours. Then we had about 3 hours of sleep before we had to leave JFK to come back to California. A tiring trip home.

5. Did you go to a pub, you know, one such as those almost always included in Ireland based movies?
ANSWER: With this group, we visited lots of Pubs! Did you know Pub is short for Public Place? But none of the pubs in Ireland have a sign that says Pub; they all say Bar. The drinking age is 18, so all the cousins were out late at night, trying the Guinness. Even my 16 yr old Ryan had a few; they don't check for ID. We had told him he could have ONE, but then after we went home, his older cousins bought him more. The pubs were fine; all served food and some had music.

6. What were the biggest differences between there and the states? How's the diversity?
ANSWER: Diversity? What diversity? I think I saw one black family the entire Ireland trip, and never saw any hispanics. There were asians and each town seemed to have a chinese or thai restaurant. There were lots of workers from the mid-east, and many that work in the restaurants and pubs are from other areas of the world. Also, we did notice that there weren't many fat people at all. So that means you can eat all the potatoes and drink all the Guinness you want! The people all seemed friendly in the towns we visited, although Dublin is pretty much just another large city. Lots of people walking around with their cell phones or Ipods hooked to their ears. Makes it kind of hard to get their attention to ask directions!

Here's a photo that shows how the countryside looked just about everywhere we drove. Even all the way from Limerick on the west to Dublin in the east, this is how it looked. Green and beautiful! By the way, it rained for weeks before we arrived, then we had NO rain while we were there, and I hear it's been raining ever since we left! Perfect timing.

Here's a photo of me with my son Ryan. He truly enjoyed meeting all the family - that was his favorite part of the trip!

This was a wheat field located in Adare village.

This is Adare Manor; we stayed on the grounds in the Villas. The side of this manor is the earlier photo of JJ's moat.

This shows the streets of Dublin; very narrow and lots of traffic and pedestrians, and wide busses too.

Kathy, this is a darling pic of you and Ryan..and all the other ones as well. I can't wait to go and visit the rest of them. The scene of the countryside could be anywhere in Ireland, they all have that, don't they? Beauty everywhere, friendly people, and the best brown bread I ever gobbled down. Did you notice they had chocolate stores in all small towns? You have to love that about them. Beer and chocolate. Yum! By the way, thanks for the pic of my castle...and just so we are all clear about the alligators, I only use them on weekends. I can't stand it when rumors start flying around. Geeish...

Welcome home, Lassie

Here's another pastoral view in Knappogue, where we went to a medieval banquet.

I hope that wasn't the menu that's out there grazing...

And probably my last pic to post (are you overwhelmed yet??). This is the Cliffs of Moher, which rise 700 feet above the ocean. According to the girl in the shop, no one ever gets pushed or accidentally falls off, but they have 6-8 suicides every year.

Thanks for allowing me to share this trip with you! Our normal vacations involve visiting relatives in nearby states, or a long weekend in San Diego. This was a trip of a lifetime for us!

Kathy

Thank YOU, Kathy. I have never been to Ireland and I definitly want to go. It's always a pleasure traveling vicariously through the eyes of someone else.

Kathy, this is outstanding. Absolutely breathtaking. It takes me back, too. Thank you ever so much for sharing. I needed a taste of Ireland to finish my day. How nice!

WOW! The buildings in the city looked slanted. Were they, or is that the camera?

Stand on both feet while you're viewing them, hun....whatttt???

Oh Kathy, the pictures are beautiful!! Thank you so much for sharing. I want to jump on a plane NOW!

It sounds like such a marvelous trip and I'm glad you, Pat, and the rest of the family had this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Kathy I tried to view your slide show, but couldn't get past the first picture, even after following your instructions.
You are a talented photographer. And your son has your eyes. What a happy picture.

This trip looks over the top. You all must be so glad you got it together and went for it. I'm sure it tooks lots of planning, but boy was it ever worth it, huh?

I can't imagine what it was like for your FIL and his twin sisters. It always amazes me how people pick up and take off leaving family behind, but look at what he gained by doing so. I bet it was rather touching for your husband too. Was it fun to see all the family resemblance?

The photos are gorgeous. I love all the colors. Quite a difference from our browning grass out back.

I'm guessing your FIL's health must be pretty good for him to make the trip. I still can't get over that all of you traveled together. Who were all the others that went?

Your husband looks like a friend of ours named Don, and your son is precious. I'm sorry your oldest son wasn't able to make the trip. Did you correspond with him while you were there?

Thanks for sharing. My favorite photos were the one of Pat with his sisters, and the one of you with Ryan. I guess I'm a people person. However, I likes the scenery ones too.

Oh, and about NY - I'm so glad Wicked was worht it. I recall how you were concerned about the price of the tickets.

We're heading to NY next week. Our youngest moved there while you were off in Ireland.

Hi Gims - actually, Pat's father sent him to seminary school in Ireland. Pat dropped out right near the end, so I can understand his father's distress - - but maybe Pat didn't want to go in the first place and didn't know how to tell his father "no". When he left, he decided to come to New York, where one of his older brothers lived.

The sisters live next door to each other, and one has her daughter living with her. I think she has a computer, so the web cam thing is a good idea. Pat usually has access to a computer wherever he's staying; he travels around between CA, OR, and OK where his children live. He's never used a computer, but if someone set it up for him, that would work.

Things were very different than Pat remembered. He said if you put him down in the middle of his old village, that he wouldn't even recognize it and wouldn't know how to find his way home. He used to ride his bike from Claremorris to Galway, but now it's a busy two lane highway. Just the normal growth you would expect in an area over 60 years - I know our community has grown in a similar manner.

You"re welcome! I love pics too, in case you couldn't tell!

K

Dotsie,

Who were all the others that went?
ANSWER Pat the dad. All 5 siblings, 4 spouses, and 5 grandchildren.

Your husband looks like a friend of ours named Don, and your son is precious.
ANSWER Dan just grew that beard about a month ago, so even I still don't recognize him! Ryan has a great smile, huh?

I'm sorry your oldest son wasn't able to make the trip. Did you correspond with him while you were there?
ANSWER That was the hardest thing for me, I really missed having him and his wife along. It was our first family trip without all the family and I thought about him all the time. We talked while in NY, but not Ireland.

What a great post! I can't imagine how moving it was for you to go to to Ireland with your father-in-law. A memory made that will last forever!

WELCOME HOME, tell me did you find and kiss The Blarney Stone while visiting Ireland?

thanks Chatty! You know, we didn't go to the Blarney Stone, but we have a very full trip. If I had gone to the stone, I don't think I would have kissed it - - I've heard the locals pee on it!

Hey, maybe I'll bring my pics for you to see when I come to Vegas - would that bore you too much?

Oh no DD, please do bring the pictures, I love looking at other peoples pictures... I'll see you on the 28th. Looking forward to another visit, you are so much fun. Oh and the new Casino I told you about, isn't called the Castaways, dah, its called The Canary...Sorry, my mind is going!

I just saw the pictures for the first time.The countryside apart from the thatch is very like here here I live.
Celts of course..

I so appreciate seeing the sisters and your FIL .Think of the life story.
Irish people have been through so much.Famine and starvation.
Thank you
Mpuntain ash

Maybe one day, you and your hubby can go back with your oldest and his wife?

Glad to hear you're heading to Vegas again. Who are you going with this time? I can picture you sitting at those machines with all the cash flowing at your fingertips. You go girl. Chats, you just might get another free dinner when she hits again.

For those of you who don't know - several of the BWS gals met in Vegas and Kathy hit big on the slots. She was kind enough to treat all of us to dinner one night. I was touched!

I'm just meeting a business friend there on Wednesday for dinner and to talk about biz ideas (I'm always looking for something new!) and will meet up with Chatty on Thursday. Dotsie, I wish it was that easy to win, but hey - if you don't play you won't win, right? I'll give it my best shot!