IRELAND: NINE REASONS TO RETURN

We just returned from Ireland. I'm now sitting back in the comfort of our home with time to reflect on our four weeks of travel. Here are some of the special things about the country that I will miss:

--The beauty of the lush green landscape that is sprinkled with lovely lakes, hills, and mountains.

--Beautiful sunshine days – rarely experienced by the Irish—the locals were constantly telling us how lucky we were.

CLIFFS OF MOOR

--Splendid walks along the sea cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean and the Irish Sea—walking paths through forests and lake country.

--Mussels from the nearby sea, warm goat cheese salads with beets, and seafood pies.

--Sitting in a pew of the old St Andrews church in Dublin where Ron's great grandmother was baptized in 1861. This was followed by a walk down the nearby street where the family lived.

--The kindness of the Irish people who were always willing to go above and beyond to help us, including the woman who insisted that we jump in her car so she could drive us to our destination.

--The talented musicians that entertained us in the small pubs—including the stories they shared about the Irish songs.


-- An appreciation of America that's not typical of other countries in Europe. Most of the Irish people we met told us they had relatives in the US and had also visited there.

--The ancient stone fences and walls of limestone that continue to prevail in most of western Ireland. The sheep that wander so freely and peacefully in the green pastures and even onto the roads.

                                                * * *

I'll soon be writing more about unique island and the people we met along the way. Was it a perfect trip? No, they never are. Life isn't perfect. But the beauty of that green lush country and a love for Ireland will stay with me forever.