I was a wee bit homesick for Ireland. Let’s call this one, “Guinness, Dear Guinness.”
Tag: Ireland
Snapshot #189
There are areas in southwestern Ireland where the road signs are only printed in the Irish language. I’m calling this one “It’s all Gaelic to me.”
Poulnabrone
Without a doubt the most memorable side trip of our eight days in Ireland was a visit to the Portal Tomb or Poulnabrone Dolmen in County Clare. We drove out to the tomb on our last full day on the island while the men played golf at Lahinch. I’d almost despaired that we’d have no opportunity to see such a place, but the wait was worth it.
As we drove through the Burren toward the tomb the landscape took on an otherworldly aspect, with outcroppings of limestone competing with short grasses and bursts of wildflowers. Our driver parked the bus and a blast of cold wind greeted us, but didn’t deter us from scampering up the hill to the Poulnabrone.
The tomb is thought to have been erected between 2,500 and 4,000 years B.C.
I spoke with a gentleman who helps keep watch over the crowds of visitors. He said that vandals have found ways to carve initials into the stones, have removed small stones, and have even urinated on the tomb. I can’t imagine the callous disregard for something so ancient.
Snapshot #188
I took this one in the gardens at Doonbeg. It should be called, “Bee Irish!”
The Malton in Killarney, County Kerry
Our first few nights in Ireland were spent in the lovely Malton Hotel in Killarney. The hotel is within easy walking distance to the shops and pubs in the charming downtown area and most evenings we enjoyed a stroll to a restaurant for dinner and maybe a pint or two.
The Malton Hotel made us feel welcome in a faraway land. I highly recommend it, but suggest that you request a room with a larger shower. Some in our party, including Studly Doright and I, had tiny shower stalls while other couples enjoyed more comfortably sized ones. Our bathtub was luxuriously sized, though.
Peace, people!
A Swig and a Miss
I suppose it was inevitable that there’d be a beer I didn’t fancy as much as some of the others. If I were better versed in the language of the brewing arts I might be able to explain why it fell short, but all that I can say is “meh.”
The Hop House Lager 13 I drank at Morrisey’s Pub in Doonbeg on Wednesday night didn’t thrill me. It wasn’t awful, but I had no desire to order a second pint. So I ordered a dessert with eclairs, ice cream, and chocolate sauce. It was amazing. Life in Ireland is pretty sweet.
Shall I offer a toast?
He’s a fool who give over the liquor,
It softens the skinflint at once,
It urges the slow coach on quicker,
Gives spirit and brains to the dunce.
The man who is dumb as a rule
Discovers a great deal to say,
While he who is bashful since Yule
Will talk in an amorous way.
It’s drink that uplifts the poltroon
To give battle in France and in Spain,
Now here is an end of my turn-
And fill me that bumper again!
Kinsale, County Cork
While our husbands played golf at Old Head on Sunday, the wives toured Charles Fort and the town of Kinsale.
Kinsale is a seaside tourist town with lots of little shops. Many were closed on Sunday afternoon, and our husbands sighed collectively with relief.
The city had hosted a regatta on Saturday, and plenty of sails still decorated the harbor.
We only had a wee bit of time there, and again, the husbands were happy.
Peace, people!
A Pint at Doonbeg
I didn’t plan to blog a beer a day, but it’s been one of the most enjoyable parts of my trip to Ireland. Trust me, I’m no beer expert, and I can’t pick a favorite, but that’s not going to prevent me from continuing the search.
It might be just my imagination, but I believe the bartenders’ faces light up when I ask about their local brews. I’ve yet to be disappointed in their offerings.
Last night was our first in a new hotel. We’re at Doonbeg in County Clare, so I ordered one of their two locally produced beers at dinner last evening: White Gypsy Blond, a German Hefeweizen beer by White Gypsy (Shelta Beer Co), a brewery in Tipperary.
It was an easy beer to enjoy, and I might have had a second glass just to be sure I liked it as much as I thought I did.
Here’s a toast to all our friends:
There are good ships,
and there are wood ships,
The ships that sail the sea.
But the best ships, are friendships,
And may they always be.
Of Sheep, Sheepdogs, and Shepherds
Five of the non-golfers toured the Ring of Kerry on Monday to take in the breathtaking scenery the county has to offer. One of the highlights was a stop at a sheep herding exhibition.
Who knew there were so many different kinds of sheep?
The border collies never took their eyes off of the sheep even during the pre-herding talk.
The dogs were nothing short of amazing, and one of my fellow travelers said the demonstration made her realize that her own dog wasn’t very bright in comparison. Here’s a little sample from our visit. I tried to download a longer video, but wasn’t able to at the hotel. Watch the action up at the top of the screen.
I wish I could smuggle one of these dogs home in my carry on. They’d be handy for herding Studly.
Peace, people.
Twice the Fun
Don’t worry, I’m not drinking double. I ordered a Black and Tan (half Smithwick’s, half Guinness) at Ballybunion today, but had to choose between having it in a Smithwick’s glass or a Guinness glass. I chose the former, but a friend ordered the latter, so I borrowed his glass for demonstration purposes only. Okay, maybe I took a sip.
I forgot to add a toast to yesterday’s blog, so I’ll try to find a good one.
May your glass be ever full.
May the roof over your head be always strong.
And may you be in heaven half an hour before the
devil knows you’re dead.
Praying for Eyebrowz 