Off to Limerick, again with a couple of our fellow guests at the Castle, this time two women whose husbands were off golfing. Mike wanted to see the Frank McCourt Museum (http://www.frankmccourtmuseum.com/) and a bit of Limerick so we set out. We put "Limerick Visitor's Center" into the GPS and were taken/directed to just that--the Visitor's Center. For Limerick University. We went into the Student Union type building, met some lovely students, found out some basic information about the University (at least enough for Susan to deduct the whole trip as 'business-related', haha!) and directions to the Visitor's Center downtown. Re-directed the GPS and tried again. Found the garage at the Quay, just as the helpful student had said. The garage was a bit of an adventure as it climbed very tightly up and up. Walked ... read more

Up and out at 8:30 with another couple in tow, heading for Kilkenny. Made it through the roundabouts, into the city, and caught a parking space on the street right next to the castle! The Castle has three of its original four towers still intact, as well as a beautiful rose garden. The contents were all auctioned off when the Butlers went bankrupt so the OPM have found items "of the times". During excavations, some original wallpapers and fabrics were found and replicated. Then, walked through town to St. Canice Cathedral--lovely medieval city--pubs and shops. Got a great idea for a sweater. The cathedral included the ancient chair used to anoint bishops of the parish, of whichever religion, currently Anglican. Then there was the Tower--seven sets of acutely angled steps with a tight landing at each. ... read more

So that Mike could see the countryside on the trip south, we took the train from Dublin. We had originally thought to alight at Limerick Junction, the closest stop to Bansha Castle, and rent a car in Tipperary, a short cab ride from the train station. However, a couple of weeks before our trip, Enterprise bought the local car rental company, Dooley, and closed the office in Tipperary! Luckily, we figured this out ahead of time, even before we'd purchased our train tickets. One of the other people staying at the Castle did not learn of this until she tried to pick up her car there! She ended up getting a ride to Shannon Airport and renting a car there. So, we had purchased train tickets to Cork and reserved a car at Hertz in Cork. ... read more

Well, we've been planning this for about a year and three weeks, we'll be off for a week in Ireland, staying in Bansha (www.banshacastle.com), then to Isle of Man (www.knockaloebegfarm.com) for four nights. Just setting this up so I can save pictures and memories as before! You're 'subscribed' to get updates from this blog--let me know if you don't want to be on the list.... read more

So after we spent Thursday shopping, we spent Thursday evening putting it all away or together! Hillary packed meat in meal serving sizes and labeled it all and got it in the freezer, David put things together, and Susan sat on the roof with the dog (no, not again this time!) Actually got chairs!!! So the patio was available to sit and chat, until a train went by. David put the kitchen table and bathroom storage unit together and we made a list for Friday, mainly of the number of anchor bolts needed! Called it quits about 1 with lots done, after having opened the last box--didn't necessarily get its contents dealt with but it's open! Friday, I walked down Pine st and got breakfast and David went and got anchors etc. Got the curtain rod ... read more