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!