Monday, March 10, 2008

Goodbye Emerald Isle... until next time!

My little travelogue of Ireland is finished today. I thank everyone who viewed it and left such nice comments. We saw so many beautiful places, and I took so many pictures that I could go on and on for many more posts, but all things must eventually end.
I'd like to leave just a few more photos of a few more special places that we saw:

The ladies view of Lakes Of Killarney, County Kerry, on a stormy day!

Below, three pictures of the very rural Gap Of Dunloe, one of the most scenic places in Ireland near Killarney, it is miles rolling mountains and valleys.





We drove through the gap but in tourist season they take you through of a very jaunty horse and carriage ride. You can see a short video of that here


The little church at Gougane Barra, County Cork, on a beautiful sunny day! The name Gougane Barra derives from St. Finbar, who according to tradition, built his monastery on the island here in the 6Th century. This church is a favorite place for couples to be married.


The Jameson Whiskey Distillery in Midleton, County Cork. We went on an interesting tour here and sampled the very smooth product at the end. "Slainte!" Irish for Cheers!


A view of the River Shannon, the longest river in Ireland.


Bunratty Castle, County Claire was built in 1425. It is furnished with mainly 15Th and 16Th-century furnishings, and tours and banquet dinners are available. The grounds have reproduction examples of 19Th-century Irish life, with farmhouses, two watermills, church, blacksmiths forge and village street which includes pubs, schoolhouse, and shops.


If you look closely at the picture below you'll see ruins of what is referred to as a "famine house". These are abandoned houses that fell into ruin when families that lived in them were devastated by the famine. Between 1845 and 1850, when blight devastated the potato crop in Ireland, in excess of two million Irish people - almost one quarter of the entire population - either died or emigrated because of the famine
I'm sure that is why my paternal ancestors emigrated from Ireland to the United States. They settled in eastern Pennsylvania and found jobs as miners in the anthracite mines. I honor their brave sacrifice.

It made my heart happy to see the Ireland of today thriving, and developing into one of Europe's strongest economic countries.
Thank you to all who have viewed my pictures and read my reminisces about my trip and who have left kind comments. I really appreciate it!

I hope I inspired you to make a trip to visit The Emerald Isle someday --- I know I can't wait to go back!


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25 comments:

Tara said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Tara said...

Pat
Thanks for taking us here--my grandfather was from Cork and I have never been! Such a beautiful country-like you said they are very strong economically now.
Have you seen the film The Wind That Shakes the Barley? You MUST rent it, it is right up your alley!
:0)

Smalltown RN said...

I see you were in County Cork....my grandparents were from County Cork...Oh how I do hope that one day my travels will take me to Ireland...thank you for sharing your wonderful photos....

Smalltown RN said...

P.S. these would make great photos for Skittle's Heads or Tails Tuesday...the theme is green....

Beth Leintz said...

What a beautiful place! My husband wants to bike through Ireland one day- I'd be happy to just sit near that little church and enjoy the scenery!

Mary said...

Thanks for the tour, Pat! My husband and I went to Ireland before kids -- that's over 20 years ago now! It is so beautiful, and I would love to go back!
xoxo,
Mary

BailiwickStudio said...

It sounds like a wonderful trip! I was in Ireland about 35 years ago, too. I'm sure it has changed since then! You reminded me of one of my favorite books (long out of print) called "The Cliffs of Night". It's an adventurous, romantic little story that takes place on the cliffs of Moher. I'd love to one day see the cliffs in person - I missed them the first time. ::Jill

Anonymous said...

oh, you've made me so homesick. I'll have to go back through and read your other Eire posts. I haven't been back in 8 years. :(

Mrs. B said...

Thanks for sharing your journey. Ireland is one of the places I'd really love to go.

Proud Italian Cook said...

I've always admired the beauty of Ireland,what great memories you'll always have of your beautiful trip! Thanks for sharing!

Barb said...

Absolutely breathtaking! Ireland has so much beauty it's amazing.

I'm not sure if this was a Heads Or Tails post. If it was please let me know so I can add you to the blogroll. :)

Misty DawnS said...

What a fantastic post with beautiful photos! Amazing!

Junie Moon said...

I thoroughly enjoyed the tour of Ireland (and the accompanying music is delightful, too). Thank you so much for sharing it. You travel like we do--enjoying each and every little thing and celebrating the opportunity.

Tumblewords: said...

Beautiful! It looks calming and absolutely gorgeous! Thanks for sharing!

Barb said...

I THOUGHT it was a HoT post. :) I'll get you added to the blogroll right now. Would you might putting a link back to me? :)

Mary Anne is the best, isn't she? :)

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

My husband and I have talked about going to Ireland in the next year or two...You have made me want to go even more. Thank you for the wonderful tour.
Penny

Edie Marie's Attic said...

Hi Pat! Thanks for the fabulous tour of Ireland! It's wonderful people like you that help us wanna-be travelers see the world! What a bonnie lass ye be! Sherry

Unknown said...

Thank you for sharing.
I've so enjoyed this minitrip you created for us.

Little Miss Sunshine State said...

I have never been to Ireland but your pictures and descriptions were wonderful. It definately made me want to go someday.

Louise said...

Your breaks away are so much like ours, always lots of photos and lots of places visited too. It doesn't look like you paused for breath on your break, we don't either. What are you going to blog next? x

Lisa's RetroStyle said...

Wow! What a trip. Thanks for the virtual tour. I will be taking sometime reading through the rest...but I wanted to thank you for stopping by to leave a comment on my blog. I'm glad you found the friday flea market. I think it is sure a fun idea.

Kathleen Grace said...

HI Pat
Thank you for the tour. Ireland has always been one of my dream destinations. The rolling green, casles and old stone buildings and churches...I love it all. Some day...but it has been wonderful seeing it with you:>)

Lenka said...

Pat, thank you for sharing your trip with us! I can't travel now, but your photos and story give me a chance to see Ireland "thru your eyes". And you have a good eyes! I love your photos!

Vee said...

It really was a treat to go on this little journey to Ireland via your photos and commentary.

I have a suggestion for a way that this trip might continue for another day... I was reading Barbara's post at Ramblings from an English Garden about doors of the world. You've got so many pictures of great doors, that I thought you might be interested.

Susie Q said...

Oh how I want to visit Ireland. I will soon...I know I will. I dream of seeing it's green hills...
Thank you for sharing your photos and memories. I hope you do get back again soon...it is a magical place!

Hugs,
Sue