In the summer of 1980, I traveled to Ireland for a 33-day excursion as credit-earning class, which helped earn my bachelor's degree. If everyone is Irish on St. Patrick's Day...or St. Gertrude's Day, who is the Patron Saint of Cats...then anyone who has traveled to Ireland is an honorary Irishman or woman forever. Having breathed the Irish air, put my toes into dark Irish rivers, eaten Irish-caught wild salmon and butter fresh from Irish cows, and tasted a few *wink* pints of cellar-temperature Guinness Stout while chatting with the locals at a pub...I figure I'm as Irish as anyone else!
Looking through crummy photos taken on that trip, I cannot remember a great chunk of what we did, other than: traveled for seven days by bus, sight-seeing monuments, natural and historic sites; spent two weeks at Trinity College, Dublin, attending classes on Irish history, arts, archaeology, literature, and current events; ten days of bike-riding and bed-and-breakfasts around The Dingle Peninsula (where they still spoke Gaelic); and learning to enjoy 'soft' days (misty rain), roads covered in cow pies, astronomical gasoline/petrol prices, and visiting abandoned monasteries, church yards, cemeteries, ancient Irish mounds, and 'leapin'-the-bogs' and sheep trails.
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| Poulnabrone Portal Tomb, County Clare and nearby rock formations |
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| The Cliffs of Moher, in County Clare and ancient fort |
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| Castle and monastery ruins |
And did I mention, that drinking Guinness was a fairly LARGE part of my travels in Ireland? When it comes 'straight from the cow', Guinness is smooth, delicious, and quietly inebriating. Best enjoyed when in the company of acquaintances, while you converse, tell jokes, and pass the time.
So, I know of what I speak when I say that Patrick O'Malley's fur is the color of Guinness, and his eyes are Irish green!
Slainte'!
(Traditional Irish drinking toast, for 'health')
That must have been an amazing trip.
ReplyDeleteWow, what a cool trip that was!
ReplyDeleteIreland is a beautiful country. You're lucky to have visited it.
ReplyDeleteoh what I wouldn't give to go to Ireland! catchatwithcarenandcody
ReplyDeleteHow come I didn't take classes like that ;)
ReplyDeleteBet it was a blast!
Nancy and the kitties
Sounds like a good trip.
ReplyDeleteOur Mom always wanted to go to Ireland, it sounds like you sure had a fun time, what you remember of it!
ReplyDeleteWow, about a month in Ireland! It must have been so much fun! Such gorgeous places you went. I’d love to visit there one day!
ReplyDeleteWhat a trip. Even though Äiti lived in England for 40 years, she never went to Ireland. SHe did drink a lot of Guinness though. Best photo of St Paddy's day this year on our feed was POM's face of course! Slainte.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing trip! I would love to go to Ireland someday. Guinness straight from the cow sounds wonderful. :)
ReplyDeleteguyz.....mega awesum lee total lee kewl yur mom getted to vizit de emerald isle ~~~~~~ if de food servizz gurl went; her woodna never come home !!! ♣♣♣♥♥♥☺☺☺
ReplyDeleteNow whenever you drink a 'Guinness', I bet you think of your kitty and smile! Purrs! -Valentine (& Mom) of Noir Kitty Mews
ReplyDeleteWow, that sounds like it was a whole lot of fun! How lucky! ☘️
ReplyDeletePOM has gorgeous eyes. The Irish would be proud to call him one of their own.
ReplyDeleteOMC, you done it- mom and dad are hoping that a trip to Ireland, the tip 'o their bucket list, comes to be sooner than later! Dad and I read this post and he's drooling to make it a topper priority. Your description of everything they want to see and every place they want to visit makes him long for more vacation time. This is really, truly their ultimate goal, and reading this is awesome, for sure. Thank you, thank you!! Oh, and dad might just look you up for further tips and suggestions for when they do finally get to go. Absolutely wonderful post!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful experience!
ReplyDeleteWow, what a fabulous trip that must have been, Ireland is beautiful fur sure!
ReplyDeleteBig hugs
Basil & Co xox