Ireland

This past weekend was another holiday in Denmark, so we had a long weekend and decided to take advantage of this. We found inexpensive tickets to Ireland on Ryan Air ... of course after our experience with them and all the penalties we received, our trip was not all that inexpensive. I would recommend NOT asking Brad about this. =) But ... aside from Ryan Air, our trip was great. Ireland is a beautiful country and we are so glad we were able to see it. Fiona's family is from Ireland. She was actually born there and moved to the states when she was 1, so she made a good tour guide.


We flew into Dublin and rented a car. Of course they drive on the other side of road. After a few near accidents in the parking garage and dealing with horrible traffic in Dublin, Brad started to get the hang of it. I was quick to let him know if he was too close to the left side since I was inches from stone walls at times.

We stayed near the west coast in County Limerick at Adare Manor. It was a beautiful old manor house with beautiful gardens and grounds to explore. Bill Clinton actually stayed here when he was president.
Here's the manor house. Broderick was so excited to be staying in a "castle".

Kids have a way of keeping you humble. We visited the Cliffs of Moher on our first day there. Broderick got into a coughing fit while we were trying to pose for a picture and started throwing up ... and throwing up ... and throwing up. We got him cleaned up the best we could, but then sheepishly snuck away from the pile left on the ground. On the way back down, we saw many wet footprints near the pile and one frustrated man step in it and then go to the grass to try to get his shoe clean. We quickly walked by ... laughing. Ok, I know that is mean, but the whole situation really was funny.

At the Cliffs of Moher, Broderick thought he was the "King of the Castle". He recovered quickly from his "incident". Don't get too close to the edge.

The Cliffs of Moher ... gorgeous!!!!

After the cliffs, we visited Bunratty Castle nearby. It is a well preserved castle, and many of the rooms inside have been restored to give you an idea of what life would have been like there.

They had very narrow, steep, spiral staircases which caused a problem with people trying to go up and down at the same time. A little closterphobic at times.

The 2nd day, Brad and I took Anika and drove around the Ring of Kerry. This is a scenic drive through Kerry County in southwest Ireland. It was beautiful. Anika did good and slept most of the way. We didn't think Broderick would enjoy a several hour scenic drive, so him and Fiona hung out back in Adere.

She arises - for a little bit anyways.

The roads were a bit narrow. You didn't want to meet a tour bus coming the other direction. You would often have lines of traffic having to back up and go off the road for these buses to get by.

After the Ring Of Kerry, we stopped by the Muckross House. It was beautiful, but a big mistake because driving back to our hotel after this was the same time a big Gaelic Football game was finished and we hit horrible traffic. I never thought we would have such traffic problems in this small country.

Broderick giving Anika a piggy back ride.

In our hotel gardens.

While we went to the Ring of Kerry, Broderick and Fiona stayed back near our hotel and town. They went to visit some castle ruins and a church nearby our hotel. Broderick loved it.

Fiona and Broderick

Visiting the castle, the tour guide let Broderick help open the door. He thought he was pretty cool.

Broderick wearing a King's robe, we called him King Broderick on this trip. He had no objections. Of course most of the time he was kept busy looking for leprechauns.

An Irish cottage Fiona and Broderick visited. Broderick liked to see the cottages.

Daddy and Broderick

A family portrait in the hotel gardens.

There was a Cedar Of Lebanon tree by our hotel from the 1640s. It is the oldest in all of Great Britian and Ireland.

On the way back to Dublin to go to the airport, we were able to stop and visit a friend, Nate Anderson, from my high school who lives about 15 minutes from the airport. We didn't have much time, but it was good to see him again and meet his wife and 2 little girls. I forgot to take a picture though - ugh!

Driving home from the airport, Broderick was chillin' in the backseat. He got in the car and wanted his hat and sunglasses. Yes it was 10 at night, but as you can see in the picture, its still very light out at this time of night.

So ... Ireland was beautiful. We loved all the fish and chips we ate and everything is so green. But... now I am ready for some hot summer weather and I'm not sure I'm ever going to get it. Its been pleasent and so was Ireland, but its like we're stuck in a perpetual spring with frequent wind and rain. I know that doesn't sound too rough, spring is great but I love hot summers - and I'm close to a beach and ocean. So bring on the hot sunny days ... please!? These long days are great though, it doesn't get dark until after 11 right now.

Tonight Brad and I are going to a Gris Fest ... literally translated as a Pig Party. It would be like a hog roast in the states. Its for Brad's work, the factory workers are putting it on. Its raining now... again .... so I hope that clears up before tonight.