The Hennings: Finally got to Ireland

Hi everyone,

Well, better late than never right. This year, we finally got to Ireland and like everyone else that has ever visited the Green Isle, all we can say is that it was fabulous. The land, the food, the people and just the experience of being there was as good or better than we have heard. We did a seven day bus tour with Troll Tours (love the name) and visited a great deal of the country. Our bus never took a freeway and we wandered through the countryside every day.

We got to Dublin the day before our tour started and also had extra time at the end so we had time to enjoy a Guiness at the Guiness store and everywhere else along our journey. So here we go with a million pictures. Not all with captions but if I think you need a little "splaining" I have done so.

Our first section is from Dublin. What a wonderful city. We were able to take a guided tour through Trinity College, including the library. Our college tour was great because they are given by the students of Trinity. A great way to see it all through the eyes of a student. Dates and times were not as important as who did what scandalous thing and where. Of course the library was the highlight. I was just impressed by the books and the wood while others were impressed because it was used in the Harry Potter movies. Something I have never viewed and probably never will.

A visit to the Temple Bar district is a must. Had great Irish stew and great live Irish music at the Oliver St. John Gogarty bar. We got to keep the fabulous hats!

Our favorite door

Beautiful Cathedral and gardens. Notice the sky was blue!

Well we went to the Guinnes Store. Truly a memorable experience but I cannot say it was in a good way. Too loud, too many people and maybe we were just too old. Did receive a free beer so a small plus. I personally think they should sell T-shirts that say "I survived the Guinness Store". I would have purchased it.

Stopped on a Sunday morning at the Temple Bar. Perfect time to go. Live music but no lines.

Just loved this

Oh that Sweet Molly Malone. Alive, Alive Oh!

Just hanging out on one of the bridges

Our guides for our Trinity Tour. These are suppose to look like the robes that all had to wear early on but I think you really had to imagine that.

The Irish Harp is the symbol of Ireland. Now they say that Guiness had to flip theirs backward for their brand symbol' but Guinness will tell you that Ireland had to flip theirs backward.

There is that Irish Stew.


A little fun everywhere.

The shortest I have ever been!


Bachelor party.

Guiness store souvenirs

Fish and Chips

Love the pubs!

Onto the next area to visit Kilkenny. Of course the ride there was wonderful and the castle was beautiful. The town was adorable.

Hey, it's me, can't go past the animals!

Riding along the Ring of Kerry.


A lunch place along the way. It was delicious!

The Rock of Cashel. Cold and windy. Perfect way to see ruins! Had apple pie in a little hole in the wall with a lovely garden.

Quite a color don't you think!


Loved the Thatched Roofs. Not too practical in California.


Lovely little gardens everywhere.


OK, so I tried Guiness once in the US and did not like it. Here, the drink of choice!

Heading to Connemara area of Ireland. We visited two wonderful places. First the homestead of Dan O'Hara and then Kylemore Abby. So Connemara is famous for peat bogs and we visited a peat bog farmer owned by a "poor" Irish farmer named Martin. Martin created a wonderful fictious story of a guy named Dan O'Hara who had to leave Ireland with his wife and seven children because of the English. Martin built a little cottage just like the home Dan O'Hara would have had. Martin told his story in a lovely Irish accent and added songs throughout. He then served us all "Mountain Dew"-White Lightening.

Kylemore Abby is well known for its picture perfect location. I had a poster of Kylemore Abby in my office for years. Always wondered where it was and if I would ever see it. Could not believe when I found out that it was a stop on our tour. What a beautiful place. Not just the Abby but lakes and hills all around.

We probably needed this on the bus.

Martin's tour bus for the ride up to the peat and Dan O'Hara's homestead.

Our Guide and Martin with the peat behind them. Thank God I understand English because the wit of the Irish just cannot be translated.

Martin told us that he is just a poor Irish peat farmer. He owns the land from where we are all the way to Galway. I love his version of "poor".

Dan O'Hara's homestead

OK, so Martin asked if I was Irish. I told him no but my first husband was Irish. Now, my first husband past away at 54 years old so I told Martin that the Irish men don't seem to last long so the second husband is a German. Martin suggested that maybe he could be my third husband. I informed him that I was not interested in a "poor" Irish farmer!

Kylemore Abby. Recognize it?

Wow the Cliffs of Moher. Really high up! Really windy! Really Beautiful. I could hardly move when we were at the top of the cliffs and loved every minute of them from the boat tour we took. The boat tour was great AND there were puffins. You know the cute little bird that looks like a parrot can opener.

Do you see the Puffins?

Of course, lunch in a Pub!

Next stop on our tour was the oldest Distillery in Ireland, excluding Northern Ireland. What a wonderful old place. Of course, it included a tasting. Always fun!