Maine came to Ireland!

Mom finally made it to Ireland!!!

I anxiously awaited their arrival at the airport and was never so happy to see them! I knew that they were going to love Ireland and I couldn't wait to have them here. We got all squared away with the rental car company and began the adventure! Of course they were mentally prepared for the left-hand driving, but it takes come physical practice. Needless to say Bob was a fantastic driver and quickly conquered his fears! I brought them back to DCU, they napped and I made them brunch. In the afternoon they checked into their guest house and we were off to the city. It was great to show them Dublin, although they were both overwhelmed. The city was bustling because of St. Patrick's Day. In addition to the 3 million people who live in Dublin, there was an extra million. We walked around and ended up in Fitzgerald's for their first pint of Guinness paired with delicious fish and chips. Exhausted we all retired to the guest house.

Friday morning we were full-fledge tourists and took the "hop on, hop off" bus tours. It was excellent! We rode on the top of the double-decker bus and went to the National Gallery, Dublin Castle, Christ Church and the Guinness Factory. It was a jammed packed itineracy but nonetheless exciting! We even saw the wild deer in Phoenix Park and shared lots of laughs.

I was sad to see them leave on saturday but I was due to start my internship and they had a lovely stone cottage waiting for them in Dingle. Luckily, I met them on Friday evening in Tralee. I arranged a train, they picked me up, and we headed out for a fun filled evening with the locals. We stopped at a tiny, quaint, empty pub for dinner on our way to Dingle. Once we arrived in Dingle we went into a few pubs (Dick Macks and the Dingle Pub) both of which they frequented the week prior. We had a fun filled evening with pints, drunks, and live music. What else could I ask for?

Saturday morning we sad bye to the cottage and walked to the Slea Head for photos. On our way there we were surrounded by pastures filled with little lambs frolicking around. We were lucky enough to see a lamb who was born just a minute before we arrived, and the ewe was cleaning her off. Haven't seen that in a while! I could tell that Mom was missing her flock!

We drove out of Dingle and on our way we stopped to pick up a girl hitch-hiking. We had seen her in the pub on Friday night. She was from Lithuania and living in Ireland on the WOOF program. We dropped her off at a restaurant where she was looking for a job and we made our way up to Killarney. In Killarney we had lunch at McKenzie's Cafe and spent the day in the National Park touring the Muckross House

it's beautiful gardens, a lovely waterfall and the beginning of the Ring of Kerry. I spent the day falling in love with Ireland, again.

On Sunday we visited Muckross Castle and made our way back to Dublin. Once again, back at Egan's House we settled down with some Tullemore Dew and then made our way to Porterhouse North for our last pints together.

I was very sad to see them off Monday morning, but we all swore that we will return together. We had such a lovely time and I longed for our past family vacations. I hope that one day we can share Ireland with Ben and Patricia, Josh and Anne, and Meghan and Camden! ( I miss you all so much!)