Killarney Town

My time here in Killarney is coming to an end again for another year. With each visit I look more and more forward to the time we all come to Ireland as a family. I am so excited for Oliver, Joe and Vinnie to experience the Ireland I know. 

 

 So Grandma we’ll wait patiently until we hear you say we’ve grown a bit, let’s pack our clothes for we are on our way. From the song “Killarney Town” by Barbara Botch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Memories Are Made Of This

A walk along the lake at twilight wasn’t something I had planned until the phone rang in my room. It was Saturday night, I had just pulled my hair back with a head band, covered my face in cream and was about to sit and listen to the Notre Dame game from my computer. The phone rang and it was Eileen, she was downstairs and wondered if I wanted to take a walk.

Off came the cream, I grabbed my sweater and raincoat and we were on our way.  We drove over to the beautiful Lake Hotel, where you can walk all along the Muckross Lake, it got dark very fast and was a gorgeous night. The picture is of a castle that used to be. It was beautiful at night. We had a cup of coffee inside the hotel and re-visited the last 10 years that we’ve known each other.

All moments are special in Ireland, but it’s moments like this, an unexpected phone call and a walk along the lake with a good friend that will linger in my heart for years to come.

 

 

The Spoken Word ~ The Real Ireland

 Eileen called me on Friday and asked if I wanted to go to a poetry reading that night. It was “Culture Night” so there were events going on all throughout Ireland. The one we went to was at the Abbeyfeale Community Theater, just a short 30-45 minute drive outside of Killarney.  

Eileen was invited as the guest reader for the evening and then it would be “open mic.”  She urged me, really wanted me to bring something to read. I hadn’t prepared anything, didn’t have any of my poems with me heck, I didn’t think I was going to be reading my poetry when I came to Ireland.

She suggested I tell them about the blog and read one of my blog posts. So I did! I told them about our trip to Croatia and read the one called “Boat Rides and Cable Cars." I’m glad I did. It went over well, and after the event several people came up to me and wanted to hear not only more about our trip to Croatia but about life in Las Vegas.

It’s amazing to me the talent in Ireland, and how the writers and poets gather like this and how at any given moment someone may just burst into song. There was a gentleman there who did just that!  Ah, the Irish ballad, delightful.

 It’s lovely how folks will write and share poems and prose about family, perhaps the town they live in, Irish history even a skit from one of the Irish plays.

We didn’t get home until almost midnight, it was a night filled with the spoken word and great conversation, something the Irish have truly mastered.

The Pot Of Gold

Yesterday morning I attended an hour and a half Yoga session with the lovely young woman you see in the pictures below. This Yoga practice was the real thing and as they say, she is the real article. Jenny has studied in an Ashram in India, lives in Killarney and is from Chile. She has a fabulous, unbelievably peaceful setting in her home for the Yoga.

I stayed for a few minutes after everyone left so we could continue our conversation we had started before the session. She asked if I wanted to meet again today for a walk, she had a nice area for walking that she wanted me to see. Of course I accepted, kind of hard to turn down a personalized tour like that.

I met her at the house again this afternoon, which is an easy 10 minute walk from Murphy’s. The door was open and Jenny was busy making a vege drink for the two of us.  She drove us to the Blue Pool Trail and parked the car. We started our walk down the path and into a moss-covered forest, I expected at any moment to see little dancing fairies peeking out from behind the trees.

 I am convinced now, that there are many different worlds we live in; not just different towns or cities, or even countries but worlds within the towns and cities. Just as there are different lifetimes, every experience we have, has a life of its own.

There really isn’t much more I can say. Once again I believe I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves. This beautiful “Blue Pool Trail” is a short drive up Muckross Road, just a few miles from Town Center.

Oh! I walked back to the hotel from Jenny’s house, the skies got dark and I was able to snap a shot of the rainbow.

Killarney truly is the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

 

 
 
 

 

 

 

More Pictures From Dublin and Paris!

 

I knew that window shopping on Champs ~ Elysees was something we would do while in Paris, but what I didn’t know was that I would be climbing the Arc de Triomphe again. Since Carmina had never been to the top, we did it. We were in agreement that we didn’t have to climb the steps all the way to the top but only the few steps to the elevator. What an amazing view of the Eiffel Tower from way up there. It was windy and cool but well worth going up, even a second time for me. Afterwards we ate at Leon de Bruxelles, right there on Champs~ Elysees, Carmina had clams and escargot, I had the salmon.  

We went to a play one evening in Dublin at the lovely Olympia Theater and had a wonderful meal at Jules right next door to the theater. I had the French Dipped Lamb sandwich. Carmina had Pork Bellies and Calamari. We’ve had some great meals since we’ve been here.

 Jules is an awesome restaurant and wine bar. There are two floors, the first has just a few tables for two, four and six people, very cozy. The upstairs has tables for larger parties. The food was delicious, the service impeccable and the wine and dessert ~ Ooh La La as the French say, chocolate brownie and ice cream.

 

 It was a great way to start a night at the theater. We saw "Once" a musical about a young musician trying to make it on the streets of Dublin. It was lots of fun. Don't miss Jules or a play at the Olympia! 

We spent another day in Howth while in Dublin this time we got to see and watch the fisherman getting their nets and boats ready to go out.  It was pouring rain, but so much fun to see how the folks in the fishing village spend their day.  I always thought it would be fun to work down at the wharf. To be there when they came back in with all the fish. To be able to jump onto the boat and throw all the fish into the truck.

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Waking Up In Killarney

I am singing the praises of Killarney this morning! I woke to the sunshine bursting through my window. After arriving yesterday to the pouring rain, freezing cold and dark skies, all was good in the world. I pulled back the curtain to see the newspapers being delivered to the newsstand across the street. Everyone had a spring in their step this morning. Killarney has had more than their share of rain this summer I am told. 

 

 I walked across the street in time for the eight O’clock Mass.  I love going to Mass when I’m here and it’s so easy as the Friary is right across the street from Murphy’s where I’m staying.  I came back and had breakfast and then headed out for a good walk. Thus began another day in Killarney.

When I was walking to the post office this morning to mail a postcard to the boys, WOW! I miss you Ollie, Joe and Vinnie. I thought I heard someone call my name.  “Barbara it’s Cathy! Cathy from Zumba last year.” I looked over to see Cathy Troth across the street from indeed the Zumba class I went to a couple of times last year.  It was so nice to think she remembered me, recognized me. We stood and talked for about 20 minutes. Killarney has certainly wrapped her arms around me over the years. My days are filled with such excitement, and emotion, a real feeling of belonging.

Here I am writing this in the cozy sitting room of Murphy’s, the piped in music is playing “Stranger on the Shore” It’s pouring rain.

 Feeling at home~ missing home.

 

Another World

I was so grateful that Carmina had a couple of bandaids in her make-up case this morning. I wore the new boots to the opera last night. Oh No!

The bus trip to Giverny was a very pleasant hour and a half ride. We drove through the Normandy area, and was able to see the old bridge that was bombed during the 2^nd WW. and also the new more modern one.  Entering the Monet Garden was like leaving one world and entering another. Do make a visit to Monet’s Garden if you come to Paris. I believe I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves.

 

Tapas~ Bordeaux~ La Traviata

 We were in Paris by 10 AM the next morning.  It was too early for the room to be ready so we walked around the neighborhood and had lunch at Charivari. We had Foie Gras which is a popular French delicacy its rich, buttery flavor  was delicious with bread and jam.

 The Hotel Sainte Beuve was Beautiful! It is a small boutique hotel very quaint with a fireplace, a bar, I would love to have that bar in my home,  nice comfortable chairs and couches and a staff that were absolutely superb in their welcoming and friendliness throughout the entire trip. We were checked in, and offered a complimentary glass of champagne for whichever evening we wanted.

 

 We had plans for the Opera that first night so we took him up on the champagne the 2^nd night. You’ll see from the pictures how cozy and lovely the lobby was and our room was very nice. It was small but had a large bathroom that we walked down a long hall to get to, all in the same room. ­

 We were able to walk over to the beautiful Hotel National Invalides for the opera.  Along the way we stopped for Tapas, and a glass of Bordeaux. We were able to see the Eiffel Tower and then the building itself was especially beautiful after dark, when the dome lit up. This was the first time I attended an opera. It was such fun. I only wished I had read up on it before hand so I would know what they were singing about, in Italian. It was translated, sub-titled on the big screen, however in French. Loved it! Will definitely go to another.

Imagine that! An opera outside under the stars. I’ll bet there were a thousand people there. The night started out warm but was quite cold and windy by the time it ended. We took a taxi back and slept fast as the next day we would be going to Giverny to see Monet’s Garden.

City and Beach~ Ireland

 

Well we packed in a couple of whirlwind days once Carmina arrived. We started out with lunch at the Pepper Pot on Grafton Street, great food, I had a pear and bacon sandwich, the food was different, but delicious. Our conversation didn’t stop until after the last bite of blueberry cheesecake.  We  walked around, window shopped and ended up eating Sushi at Yamaodi.

We took the Dart the next day South of Dublin and stopped in Dalkey, Killiney, and Dun Laoghaire. Van Morrison and Bono live in Dalkey and the beautiful Irish singer Enya lives in Killiney. We didn’t see any of them when we were there.

It was great to be at the beach.  Dun Laoghaire is a wonderful get away. You can walk along the water, get an ice cream at Teddy's and then eat it as you stroll through The People's Park.

A person really does not need or want to drive a car while in the city. It’s easy to get most everywhere on foot or by taxi.  I would encourage anyone coming to Dublin to utilize the public transportation. The Dart will take you South of Dublin as I just mentioned all along the coast into Wicklow County.  You can get a "Day Pass" and you're free to stop at any of the stations along the route, then get back on and keep going all the way to Greystones and back.  You can also go North of Dublin stopping in Howth which is also a lovely beach area.

St. Stephen’s Green is always a must-see and also The Ha Penny Bridge. The street performers along your walk to St. Stephen’s Green are always entertaining, singing, dancing, playing the drums, just trying to earn a Euro or two.

 Carmina arrived Sunday morning and it was pretty much non-stop until Monday night when we packed up, paid up and set our alarm for 4AM. The taxi was right on time at five and we were on our way to Paris!

 

 

 

 

Dublin's Fine City

 

Dublin is such a great city!  I’ve been here several times now and with each visit I learn something new, or I see something that makes me laugh or perhaps jealous of the boldness in it. There’s an energy that excites me as I walk up and down and along the streets of Dublin.  

This morning while having yet another great breakfast, Carmel, the lovely woman who has worked here in the dining room for many years spots me and once again I am greeted like an old friend.

After a great conversation and introductions to the newer employees, she sends me on my way to walk up to St. Stephen’s Green. I took the raincoat, but really didn’t think I was going to need it this morning. It’s been a lot colder this year than past years and I haven’t seen much sun yet. But then, I don’t come here for the sun now do I? HA! That sounded quite Irish if I do say so.

 I decided to walk just a little bit farther, before going into the park. I am so glad I did. I came across the greatest museum, one I had never noticed before while here. See! That’s what I’m talking about. “The Little Museum of Dublin” It’s on St. Stephen’s Green between Dawson and Kildare streets. (I’ll tell you about Dawson Street later)  

I was just in time for a guided tour that took us through three floors of Dublin’s history. Everything in the museum has been donated by the people of Dublin. The first edition of the manuscript Ulysses was encased and since it’s known as not exactly the easiest book to read, they have it open to the last page so you can read it and say you finished it.

 The podium that JFK used when he came to Ireland in June of ’63 was there, and is actually someone’s personal music stand. Helena the guide was saying that the Irish were not accustomed to using podiums, when the men would speak they stood up from where they were seated and would give their talk.

 There was a man however, and I don’t remember if she gave us his name but he felt Kennedy deserved a podium to address the Irish people. Since there were none to be found, he went home to bring back his own personal music stand.

The uniform that Liam Neeson wore in the movie “Michael Collins” was displayed and Helena spoke just briefly of those 6 days of fighting that took place mostly here in Dublin for the Irish independence.  I always get emotional when I hear the details of the 1916 uprising. All the stories of the men involved, James Connolly, Michael Collins, Pearse and De Velara.

When you’re in Dublin, you are surrounded by so much history, one can never forget the struggles Ireland has gone through for years and years. The city is painted with quotes and pictures of the different writers and poets.  I mean that literally, the outside of the pub right next door to where I’m staying is covered with quotes by Yeats, Oscar Wilde, Patrick Kavanagh and others. They’re posted in the hotels, pubs, and even at the airport. I’ve always loved that picture of Samuel Beckett that I posted below. It was at the museum as well.

I’ve just mentioned very few bits of information from the museum this morning, do come to Dublin and see for yourself. Another must –do is Trinity College of course and oh! Dawson Street… A great bookstore called Hodges Figgis.

Helena ended the tour with a quote that says, “Dublin’s best days are both long gone and just around the corner.”

The people of Dublin love their city , so do I.



 

 

Irish Charm

 

I went to the beautiful fishing village of Howth this morning. It was raining when I left but I figured there was a good chance it wasn’t raining there. It was just drizzling and before I left to come back the sun was out.

  I wandered over to the Abbey and the cemetery and then into the village where there were a few very nice shops. I walked into the Lysaght Gallery, it was a small area when I entered and the lady working there was waiting on someone at the time. She told me if I wanted to see the gallery it was upstairs. I noticed that she was showing the customer some antique jewelry. There was a little meditation room, where she offered Reiki, massage and reflexology, it was such a magical place with music playing, so calm and peaceful.

When I came down from the gallery I asked her if she had any charm bracelets. I told her the story, which some of you already know. I recently lost my little jewelry pouch that had a charm bracelet in it that I was going to bring on the trip to start collecting charms for. She brought out two bracelets that were just perfect for what I wanted, but when I looked at the price I said,

 “Oh this is more than I really wanted to spend, but it would be nice to have an antique bracelet rather than buying a new, more modern one.”  

 I asked her if I could try it on, she put it on my wrist and it looked nice. I then tried on the other one. I don’t know what happened at that moment, but my eyes filled with tears and I knew I had to have it.

I’ll tell you~ if that wasn’t a sign this bracelet was meant for me I don’t know what is.

 

“I’ll take it!" I said

Now let me clarify something, this bracelet wasn’t as expensive as this is starting to sound. I can still afford to put charms on it. I wore it out of the shop and I doubt I’ll be taking it off.  

 

Always A Warm Welcome

I arrived about 10:30 Wednesday morning to a cold, cloudy beautiful day in Dublin. It was great to be back. With suitcase collected, the shuttle right outside the door I was at the hotel before noon. The room wasn’t ready so I had lunch which was delicious as always. I almost always have the fish and chips but today, I decided on the roast pork and vegetables mostly because it came with mashed potatoes.

I like arriving early in the morning so I have the whole day to walk around and remember the beauty that staying at the Arlington, just off O’Connell Street has to offer. You can walk past the River Liffey three, four, even five times a day in your travels and it seems to look different each time., something new about it, can’t say for sure what it is.

I found a pair of boots when I was out and about today to wear with jeans and I decided to add another “Ireland” sweatshirt to my collection. It was just 42 degrees when I arrived so coming from almost a hundred degrees at home, although a welcomed change I was going to need something heavier than the two lightweight sweaters I had brought.

When my room was ready, I was surprised to find it was the same exact room I had last year, very small but just perfect for me and my computer.

Dinner was a treat, just a toasted ham and cheese sandwich with a cup of tomato soup, topped off with a glass of wine.

It’s about 4 AM now and you should hear the noise outside, folks just coming in from the pubs. I’m going to go back to bed and am looking forward to breakfast at seven and the Dart to Howth for the day, more when I return!