Ring of Kerry, Sneem, Killarney on my Birthday!

 

I'll get to celebrate my birthday (Sept 25th) in several beautiful areas of the country!! 

We'll expore the Ring of Kerry..100 miles of gorgeous scenery!! 

We'll stop in the village of Sneem...

Pause to gaze at the Lakes of Killarney at Molls Gap...

Finally we'll return to Killarney where we can enjoy the sites and celebrate my special day!! 

Dingle Peninsula!

On the 24th we'll depart the lovely Temple Gate Hotel and make our way towards the Dingle Peninsula. 

We'll stop in the town of Dingle and visit some local quilt shops.   

Then we'll head to the western tip of the peninsula, passing the infamous Christian Monastic Beehive Huts and small fishing villages. 

The town of Killarney (http://www.killarney.ie/index.php)  will be our final stop of the day with some time to settle in before dining at the Malton Hotel. (http://www.themalton.com/)

Dinner Plans on the 23rd

With all the running around we'll be doing we'll be ready for Fun & Feasting at Bunratty (or Knappoque) Castle.

The Ladies of the Castle, aided and abetted by the Earl of Thomond's Butler, will welcome us to dine at The Earl's Banquet. 

The entertainment that follows is said to be a fitting compliment to the mead reception, four course feast, and of course good wine. 

Then it's back to the Temple Gate Hotel for a good night's rest before we venture south to Killarney and all that lovely area has to offer!!

Day Three of Our Journey

On the third day of our Ireland tour we'll drive into the city of

Limerick.  Here we'll visit the Limerick Quilt Centre...aka QUILT SHOP! 

I hope they're ready for 35-40 women rushing in to see fabric!

(Limerick Quilt Centre)

 Afterwards we'll go visit the Village of Bunratty and stop by the Bunratty Folk Park.   

 

This isnt your typical park.  Bunratty Folk Park comprises of  Farmhouses, School, Century Style Village Street, Pub where traditional lifestyles and crafts are demonstrated! 

We'll also have time to explore

Bunratty Village Mills (Yay more shopping!)

 and visit Durty Nelly's Pub. 

Taxes Are Done!

You may be asking what this subject has to do with my countdown to Ireland....Well the luck of the Irish was with me as I completed the family's 2010 tax return!  It looks like I'll be able to shop during the trip!!  Yay!!

Been under the weather so I'll have to resume my countdown in a couple of days...There's a lot to see when we're in the Ennis area...Dingle Pennisula and Ring of Kerry...So Stay Tuned!!

Ennis....

After an extremely long day (any suggestions on beating Jet Lag will be welcomed!), the group will make our way to the lovely town of Ennis. 

Here we'll spend the next two nights at the Temple Gate Hotel.

(http://www.templegatehotel.com/).                     The Temple Gate Hotel is in the centre of this historic town and rests on the site of a 19th century Convent of Mercy. That's right people Janet is going to a Convent! But dont laugh to hard since the Sisters of Mercy moved from the Ennis Convent in 1995 to new premises nearby.

Once settled in, we'll have some time to relax and explore before dinner at the Hotel.

If anyone has any suggestions as to where to visit (or shop) while in Ennis, please let me know!!

US to Shannon and beyond!

Dia Duit!  (I think that's Hello!...at least I hope it is!!)

Our journey is scheduled to depart from Easton, MD and head north to the Big Apple where we'll hop on a plane to the Emerald Isle...Once arriving at Shannon International Airport we'll be whisked away and our adventure will begin!...(Okay so it begun the second I heard about the trip!!).

We'll take the scenic drive to the coast of County Clare.  Clare is a county in the  Shannon Region.  They say that once visited you’ll never forget. From the momentous sheer cliff face of the Cliffs of Moher to the mystical lunar landscape of the Burren, Clare’s natural attractions earn your respect from the moment you set eyes on them.   We'll stop and admire the view of the Cliffs of Moher (http://www.cliffsofmoher.ie/) one of Irelands top visitors attraction.  Just looking at the pictures from the internet gives me goosebumps!

After the Cliffs we'll head inland to visit the Kilfenora Cathedral.  Alot of history here since it was built around 1189.  We'll also vistit the Burren Interpreative Centre to learn a little about how the limestone region was formed (http://www.theburrencentre.ie/home.html)

Our last stop before heading to our hotel in Ennis will be the Poulnabrone Dolman...one of the most dramatic stone grave markers built about 4000 years ago.

Well that's about it for this round...Sl'an (I think that's "Goodbye")  I really need to figure out the correct placement of the ' though...

Ireland or Bust September 2011

Last January while attending a quilting weekend with a bunch of friends, I learned of a trip to Ireland that was being organized by one of the local Quilt Guilds.  Well...the five year old in me immediately said "I wanna go!" That was all it took...a couple of checks to cover the deposit (that's a whole other story) and to join the guild and it was official...I am going to Ireland!!

Now, those of you who know me know that when I travel I like to research and prepare.  I was on the Internet as fast as you can say "Slainte"!  Since then I've been collecting a bunch of tidbits in my Ireland binder and threw a little PowerPoint presentation together for some of the ladies....It was while showing all my goodies that Goldie said I should do a blog....so here it is!  Hopefully it wont be disappointing!!

First stop....Cliffs of Moher!

Let the countdown begin!!

Okay....here's the disclaimer!  This is my first attempt at a blog!  Though I like to think I'm technically savy I still have a lot to learn!  Please note that anything posted on this is for fun and entertainment only!  Any facts listed are coming from the "wide world web"...and may not be 100% accurate...If you proceed on you do so at your own risk!! So, with that said on to the fun stuff!!!