Blogs from Ennis, County Clare, Ireland, Europe

The county town of Clare is Ennis and there I had my best coffee and cake in Ireland after driving from Killalloe. In the centre of town is a very large statue of Daniel O’Connell and in the museum De Valera features prominently. Both were famous Clare MPs. Half an hour later I was in Corofin at the Clare Genealogical Society in pursuit of the original Mrs Brown—Dar’s wife Bridget Downes. This woman was Pop William’s grandmother and he knew her well. She was also Cate Cook’s mother and Pop William spent a lot of time with the Cooks and Dar and Bridget. On the wedding certificate Bridget’s parents are listed as John Downes and Margaret Downes. Bridget’s sister Catherine (“Aunty Rush”) married Daniel (Rush) in Ballarat a few months before Bridget and William. On that ... read more

Day 21 - Day Off We really didn't do anything at all today. Anne and Michelle walked, Michelle and Anne watched movies and Anne and Tony read... all day long. Oh, and we listened to the cows and watched them eat the grass and trees 2 feet from our windows. It was glorious.... read more

County Donegal Exiting Derry (or Londonderry depending on your point of view) meant the time had come to really get out into the Irish countryside. We suspect that not many Americans venture into the northwest part of Ireland, mainly because it’s a bit off the beaten tourist path created by the many travel companies that bring Yankees here by the planeload. The locals we have encountered are extremely friendly and always willing to chat it up and provide useful information. But back to the point….. Dave is an excellent driver even on the wrong side of the road (that’s what all Americans say) and as we ventured out of Derry for the countryside we were filled with excitement and expectations. We’d booked “The Best Irish Cottage” through airbnb in County Donegal near the town of Croaghacullion. ... read more

Ireland day 2 Day two of tour and we headed off to the county of Dingle which is a gaeltacht region, meaning the primary language is their traditional gaelic - pronounced gaylick which is now only spoken by about 30 000 people. The town's official name is Dingle on Daingean ui chis, or Dingle Dingle by the sea. The town is famous for having a friendly dolphin who prefers the company of humans, his name is Fungi and they proudly have a bronze statue of him in the centre of town. I was blown away - almost literally at Slayhead drive where we visited Ventry beach for a photo opportunity before moving onto the traditional bee hive huts which are 1500 years old called cloch on's where the monks used to live. We didn't get out ... read more

Got home late this morning, around 3 am and slept all day till about 130 pm. I just sat and relaxed and looked at some of my next destinations. Went to the grocery store so I could save some cash instead of eating out every meal. Tonight I went and saw Rise of the Planet of the Apes. Pretty intense movie. I hate watching animals get killed. I'm definitely my moms kid. Just going to relax the night away. ... read more