Ireland 2019

Back from abroad and adjusting to reality again! Noah and I were fortunate enough to be able to take advantage of an opportunity to travel overseas a couple of weeks ago. Chris has been going to Ireland for several years now, and I have managed to get over there with him twice before. Months ago when there was talk of taking Noah at some point, we got him a passport to be ready when the time came. Sure enough, Chris was slated to go for work, flying out on St. Patrick's day, so we checked our airline mile account and everything seemed to add up. The only thing that didn't work out so well was that Noah would have to miss school--it just happened to be the week FOLLOWING spring break. Thankfully, his principal recognized the incredible education he would get exploring another culture and country and she approved the trip. My faithful and generous mother and mother-in-law stepped up to help with Audrey, and the trip was on!

A few people have asked why I would want to take a ten-year-old with me on this kind of a trip. I hope as you follow our journey and see the photos, you will understand what a joy it was to have this experience with Noah. I hope to get an amazing opportunity like this one in a few years to share with Audrey.

Our itinerary:

Sunday, 3.17 

Chris takes off, headed for Cork, Ireland

Monday, 3.18 

Noah goes to school; I pick him up at lunch and Mom takes us to the airport! 

Noah got a journal that he used to chronicle our trip!

The first leg of our journey was to Philadelphia. We took off as scheduled at 4:45. Our layover in Philly was just one hour, and from there we headed to Dublin, Ireland!

Tuesday, 3.19

We landed in Dublin around 8 a.m., which was 3 a.m. at home. We waited for the airlink bus to take us to the Dublin Heusten train station (almost an hour drive). 

On the airlink bus in Dublin

We had reserved seats on the train, leaving Dublin at 11 a.m. and taking 2-1/2 hours to Cork. When we arrived in Cork, we took a taxi to the River Lee hotel.

Noah at the Heuston station in Dublin

Noah's first chance to see Irish countryside from the train...

Relaxing in the Executive Lounge at our hotel

 I thought we would feel like napping but Noah was all napped out and I was feeling pretty good, so we decided to walk to nearby St. Fin Barre's Cathedral.

St. Fin Barre's Cathedral was designed by William Burges and consecrated in 1870, but is on a site where St. Fin Barre founded a monastery in 606 A.D.

A medieval Cathedral also existed on this site; it had fallen into disrepair by the end of the seventeenth century. A "new" cathedral was completed in 1735, but was demolished in the 1860s to make way for the present cathedral.

We were the only ones in the cathedral besides an exuberant employee, who was happy to point out several interesting things inside. He showed us this plaque in memory of the first recorded woman to be initiated as a Freemason. Legend has it that she accidentally witnessed a meeting of the Freemasons and they ultimately decided to initiate her rather than kill her.

Still feeling pretty energetic, we walked over to University College Cork (UCC) for a brief look around.

A different angle of the River Lee, our home away from home

Waiting for Dad to get off work--enjoying the views from the lobby area of our floor

 

Our first meal in Cork: fish and chips at The Fish Wife

Wednesday, 3.20

Noah and I stayed in Cork to explore all the city has to offer!

Thursday, 3.21

We took an early bus to Blarney to explore the famous castle and grounds. 

Friday, 3.22

We did a few new things in Cork, then caught up with Chris for a drive to Kinsale.

Saturday, 3.23

Chris drove us out to Killarney National Park. Later, back in County Cork, we went to the greyhound races!

Sunday, 3.24

We worshipped with the local church of Christ, then drove out to Cobh and Spike Island.

Monday, 3.25

Noah and I took the Paddywagon bus tour to the Cliffs of Moher!

Tuesday, 3.26

Noah and I took the train back to Dublin, arriving around lunch time. We checked into a hotel near the airport, then toured Croke Park.

Wednesday, 3.27

Our flight from Dublin left around 10:30, headed to Philadelphia. We had a two-hour layover in Philly, then on home to Texas! We landed a little after 7 p.m., which is midnight in Ireland. Home to bed, then back to real life the next day!

The next posts on the blog will detail the sights and experiences we had each day. Enjoy!