jhenry
Unregistered User
(9/18/03 3:27 pm)

Boys Trip to Ireland

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Last month my father, my son & I spent a week in the Midlands. It was the first time my father had been to Ireland. All four of his grandparents emigrated in the 1850s. We spent a little time in each of the villages from which they came. We had a greatr time, not much traffic, and some of the best B&Bs I have experienced.

I would recommend highly The Harbour Master's House in Shannon Harbour. Just a short walk from the point at which the Grand Canal opens into the Shannon, it is a quiet village with two good pubs and lots of history. It is run today by the daughter of the last Harbour Master, and is an excellent place to stay. It is relatively close to Clonmacnoise and makes a good base of operations to see the midlands.

We packed a good deal into the week, but had plenty of time for afternoon naps before pub dinners and late evening pinochle games.

We visited Strokestown House in Roscommon, and the Famine Museum that has been established there. There is no question that the English landlords deserved to be overthrown, what surprises me is that it took so very long to happen.

We found people very friendly and were always included in the conversations at the pubs in the small villages in which we stayed. You get a different sense of Ireland from the back country than you get in Dublin or Galway.

Ireland is a wonderful place, and I am justly proud of my Irish heritage.

John Henry

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 1861
(9/23/03 1:43 pm)

Re: Boys Trip to Ireland

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Hi John,

Thanks so much for stopping by to tell us about your trip to Ireland. It sounds very memorable. The history of Strokestown Park House is indeed interesting and the landlord there was shot dead during the famine by his tennants. When you visit there you can see why. A very interesting history and story.

Thanks also for your recommendations.

Michele