I’ve seen summer shine
On those Connemara seas.
Seen it brighten faces,
Turn skies to rainbows.

Children run on the strand,
Lovers walk hand in hand,
Fishermen fish far out;
All because of the presence.

The sapphire sky envelops
The view, jagged rocks
Close this image off,
Framing me a photograph.

Sand blows over my feet;
The sun is colouring bodies;
The sea receives them whole,
They bobble like corks.

I’ve seen golden beams shine
On the golden sands and land.
Seen it take pictures
No disaster can burn.

I’ve seen summer shine
On those Connemara seas.
Seen it brighten faces,
Turn skies to rainbows.

For me, thus far, driving in Ireland has been a key part of this adventure. Each turn around the bend especially along the coast has been one spectacular view after another --and one I may not have gotten to see if I were on trains or a tour. Yesterday, I drove to Roundhouse via Ballycoonleey and along the Atlantic coastline. There was no place to stop to take a photo--but it was grand--in all sense of the word. Blue, green, lavender, orange. The land wild yet well-kept--rocks, heather, Montbretia, stone walls, the beach, the sea. These are the memories I want to keep tightly on to.

When I arrived in Roundhouse, I had lunch at O'Dowds with Mickey, a local I met in Griffith's the night before. He knew everyone (local) in the bar--pointed out celebrity houses across the bay, talked politics, a bit of poetry, the people of Ireland over a bowl of chowder and coffee.

Eventually I made my way home. Keeping it low key today, touring thru the town of Clifden--as tomorrow will be driving quite a bit. ..Until

I am in Clifden now--arrived on Wednesday--traveled through Galway. The drive, this place has stolen my heart. Off for more adventure...more tales later. 

It's Tuesday morning (early afternoon) and it's time to begin the real adventure--hop in the car and head west. Leaving Dublin was not too bad, kept reminding myself to keep left ("left rudder, left rudder") and on I go.  A couple of times on the M6, I just started giggling to myself, "I'm in Ireland!", even on the highway, it was beautiful. My plan was to  head towards County Clare, and stay in Lisdoonvarna and see the Cliffs of Moher--not sure if I was staying 1 night or 2. 

Three hours into the drive, I am driving through the small village of Kinvara and the next thing I know, my car is toppled sideways in the middle of the road. No one was hurt--except the car, poor Jazzy and my pride. When I tell you, I was watching the road, I was--keeping tight to the center, going at slow speed--my car tire, hit the the tire of a parked car and thus tripped us over. So there I am, sideways, seat-belted in the middle of the whole town--20 faces peering in the window--hands trying to help me out, me trying to grab my purse and phone and exit the car like nothing had happened. "Are you hurt, where you headed, who should we call?" When they learned I was solo, the care and kindness kicked into higher gear. Me apologizing for causing such a scene, and making sure no one was hurt. (thank the angels).  A woman named Theresa forced me to sit down and clean me up (just nicks on my hand from the broken glass) and telling me to wait for the ambulance (me, cringing in embarrassment). First to arrive, Officer Phillip--to file a report--he called the rental company, I was fully covered and a tow was on it's way. Next--two fire trucks--they heard I fell into the Key (instead of 'near the key'). The center is still full of people watching me, but the car has been moved and shimmied to the side of the road, traffic now backed up due to the firetrucks--and then come the ambulance. My bags and such are put in the little cafe--who's patrons have been taking care of me, forcing me tea and watching over me--and into the ambulance I go for a checkup. They had nothing to ease my mortification, but they kindly laughed at my self-deprecating humor and then sent back into the cafe to wait with Officer Phillip for the tow. Officer Phillip, from Gort, entertained me with talk of "Hurling".  Officer Philip said that its with emergencies, guests in Ireland, get to meet all the locals.  In about 30 minutes, the tow truck came--recovered Jazzy and myself to take us to Shannon. Thank you's and good-byes and safe travels. 

Oliver, my escort, convinced me to not stay in Shannon and head west as planned. Assured me that I would not have to travel back through Kinvara to get there--so, after dropping me off at the rental office, I got back on the horse and off I went to Lisdoonvarna. Lisdoonvarna, is hosting a monthly long matchmaking festival--the weekends are supposed to be "mad"--Oliver insisted, I go--you'll have lots of fun. "Really?, Yes, go!, Ok." The drive through County Clare was stunning and driving at sunset, I thought, was the calm I needed. As soon as I got to town (it's about 9pm)-- i thought no, i should not be here. Everyone in town was over 70--it was like COCOON meets BRIGADOON. The first pub, I went to was in the hotel, the music was crazy U.S. elevator music sung by a guy on a keyboard--1/2 a glass an on to another pub--two doors down. Here, I met a couple from England--my saviors, Maria and David--and we spent the evening laughing and crying the town peculiar. After a few pints, we dared to go to the "Matchmaking Bar" to sign me up--but alas the bar was closed. So back to the pub for more drink a few twirls around the dance floor with the the locals.

Maria and David--I have the final dance medley for your wedding--i'll be sending you list! And Maria, I know you'll be disappointed that there are no tall tales here or talk of Edward--for another time...xox

By nights end, I had a plan to head to the Mohers in the morning and then up north to Clifden and Connemara. 

Note I'm catching up after a few days..but the posts are chronological

My last night in Dublin, I went to Mike the Thatchers for dinner (had oysters, again ). While I was dining, a couple sat next to me and they ordered the oysters, but the bar tender told them that I had the last batch. To compensate, I offered the couple the name of Fallon & Byrne--and then we started chatted. Jessica and Jason, from Philly. Heading home on Tuesday after a week touring Ireland. We made plans to meet in Philly and head to the Barnes. (Jessica if you are reading this, I'm not sure if I'll have time for the Falcon walk, but I'm heading to Dingle to meet the Dolphin)
Afterwards, I headed over to O'Donoghues for some traditional (trad) music. The pub was perfection, held in time, a place where Dylan, the Dubliners, The Fureys, etc. have all played. I sat in the back room drinking 'a glass'. I'm not sure what the chicken was for--he wasn't drinking. 

Thank you Dublin, I had a grand time. 

This morning at breakfast, I dined with a couple from Melbourne.  He's from Cork, so they come home every year and they are self-proclaimed foodies with a well-worn notebook of 'where they've been' and 'want to go'. (Some good hints for Kerry and Kinsale). They recommended Fallon & Byrne on Exchequer for local oysters (Carlingford Lough).  It's a wine cellar hidden below a high end grocer. The oysters were quite tasty--sweet and briney. 

Prior to my earned pit-stop, I went to the National Gallery if Ireland. It was under construction--which made my visit the perfect length--the main exhibit focused on artists from the island: including  Jack B Yates, Thomas Roberts and Paul Henry of which John Ford must have found inspiration. My favorites were George Colllie, "The Mid-day Meal" the faces within were so very expressive yet simple in execution. And Aloysius O'Kelly, "Mass in a Connemara Cabin" reminded me of Father Ron providing communion and blessings when he came to visit us in Kentucky. 

From there, I went on to Trinity College and to see the Book of Kells and The Long Room.

...a hop back on the bus for the rest of the tour, the back to base to hunt out some music and revelry this evening. 

"Sie sind da"--it's the first thing I say whenever I arrive someplace new. My first big trip was in high school, to Germany, and I was horribly homesick, until one day I went biking throughout the village we were staying and there were posters everywhere for the movie POLTERGEIST with the tagline "Sie sind da".
Anyway, I am here. Day 1 was lovely. The weather, albeit windy, was (is) perfect.
I'm staying at this cute little hotel "31"--hidden away amongst  Georgian brownstones. Was told by the innkeeper--to get going. I did a few touristy things--a quick tour of Dublin re: the "hop-on, hop-off" bus. (Note they have a duck boat here--but they call it the "Viking boat" and instead of quacking, everyone wears a viking hat and roars.)  From there toured through the jail and the gardens of the Dublin MOMA.
Afterwards, I went to the "Brazen Head" and watched the 'boys in blue' win their match against Kerry. It was a grand time.  More later--as I must 'get going'.

PS. That's Em.mie in the photo above.