After being picked up at 5:30 am. on 22, June, we found ourselves in Shannon at 9:30 am 23, June.  The flight was uneventful from both LAX to JFK and JFK to SNN, just long and cramped in cattle class.

Our car was reserved and mostly paid for.  I did opt for the super CDW just to help my peace of mind.  We had reserved an automatic, but my son, Paul said he was fine with a stick shift.  We got a stick shift with a GPS thrown in, and believe me we used it.  Michele had routed us up the N road to Gort and Coole Park, then on to Galway.  We decided to go through Killaloe instead.  Ciole Park is one the undiscovered treasures of Ireland.  It was such a beautiful spot to start our trip.

On to Galway and Salthill using the "dual carriageway".  Paul learned about roundabouts quickly on this route.  Reached out B&B, he refused to drive any more that day so took the bus into Galway.  Perfect, sunny afternoon, everyone was down on the Quay sunning.  Bet there were lots of sun burned Irish people that night.  Ate dinner in Galway and then caught the bus back to Salthill.  Connemara was on our list for the next day. 

Another beautiful day, stopped at Roundstone, visited the craft center, Sondra coveted the bodhrans, but has two and couldn't justify any more.  Lunch in Clifden and around Skyline Drive to Connemara Park where we hiked up the mountain.  Back in Salthill that evening we went down to a pub and drank Guinness while Sondra used the wifi.

Next day, the Burren, Cliffs of Mohn (in the sun!) and Doolin.  Lots of tour buses at Cliffs.  Sondra and Paul quickly dubbed them "sqauirrels" and the folks who toured in them were "nuts".  Rest of trip was on the lookout for squirrels and nuts.  Tried to stay up for music in Doolin, but after claiming a place to sit and nursing Jamesons until at least 10:00 waiting for the musicians to get set up, we took our tired bodies back to our B&B and went to bed.

Nest morning we were on our way to Dingle. Stopped in Tralee for lunch and to take photos of the wonderful roses in the park there.  Over Connor Pass, saw a few more grey hairs on Paul's head, and down to Dingle.  Wonderful adventure in Michael Herlihy's music shop as Sondra had a chance to play bodhran with Michael on the accordion and another visiting Californian on the guitar.  Highlight of her trip.

Dingle Peninsula in the wind and rain, Blasket Centre, pottery, lunch in a wonderful old pub, Gallarus Oratory, Kilmalkedar Church, among other sites.  Noticed the beehive huts have been obscured from the road by a wal.  In order to see them requires handing over euros.  Had seen them on an earlier trip; so opted out.

Spent the evening at the Little Bridge Pub with the new found friends from California, and Michael Herlihy and friends providing the music.

Michele says brief, how can you do brief?

More later
Dee