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Post Info TOPIC: Unforgettable Connection to the Past
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Unforgettable Connection to the Past


I knew Ireland would make a deep impression on me. Many of my ancestors came from there, and I'd wanted to visited my whole life. I finally got the chance to go with my sister in 2009. What struck me immediately is how much the scenery felt like home. I felt completely welcome and warm. Walking the streets of Wexford, I could almost see my ancestors in the faces of the residents. It was hard to leave.

What surprised me even more was how I connected to the country in The Burren. It was so desolate and lonely, but I felt it drawing me in. At Poulnabrone Dolmen, we met a poet/jewelry artist who was making jewelry carved with words in Ogham (an ancient Celtic language). After he carved my maiden name into the necklace and polished it for me, he offered to read a poem he wrote about life in the Burren. I never felt a stronger connection to a place. I felt that I was meant to be there. Today that necklace is a magical source of power for me. I wear it on days when I miss my family (they live in another state), when I'm feeling small, or when I need luck on my side. Touching it takes me back to my trip in 2009 and seems to give me all the confidence and strength I need.

I made a Google Map of the 10-day driving trip we took to Ireland. We were first-time visitors and only slightly petrified of driving, but we encountered absolutely no problems. We started in Dublin and did a loop to Wexford, Cork, Kenmare, Dingle, then Limerick. As already mentioned, our trip ended with a very spiritual visit to the Burren. I hope this map is a source of inspiration for others planning their trips to Ireland.



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That is a great way to explain your trip.  Nice effort and this should help others who are planning things.

Monty



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Nice way to show your trip.

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hza,

Thanks for posting your trip report in a very unique manner. That's great idea for people to have their trips online so they can't possibly lose their itinerary! Hope you had fun.

Are you planning another trip? Many here on the forum are "addicted to Ireland" and hang out in our little community to get our Ireland "fix" in between trips.

Michele

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"Ireland Expert"  Michele Erdvig

Click links for Michele's Book or Custom Ireland Itinerary

Visit Michele's Irish Shop for unique Irish gifts and beautiful photos of Ireland.



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Michele Erdvig wrote:

 Many here on the forum are "addicted to Ireland" and hang out in our little community to get our Ireland "fix" in between trips.

Michele


 I am not addicted! Nope not me...I can quit any time I want to...Yep that's right...

Did I mention, ONLY 66 more days until I am breathing Irish Air?   biggrinbiggrinbiggrinbiggrinbiggrinbiggrin

 



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Michele Erdvig wrote:

hza,

Thanks for posting your trip report in a very unique manner. That's great idea for people to have their trips online so they can't possibly lose their itinerary! Hope you had fun.

Are you planning another trip? Many here on the forum are "addicted to Ireland" and hang out in our little community to get our Ireland "fix" in between trips.

Michele


 Thanks Michele. Our trip was amazing. I created the map partly to help me record the trip but also as part of a grad school class I'm taking on technology, learning and communities. The response to the map has been very positive. I wish I would have thought to visit a forum like this before I took the trip. So helpful and supportive!

I don't have specific plans for a second trip but I know I'll go back. Maybe I'll even talk my husband into going with me. I agree that visiting the forums is a great way to relive the experience!

 



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Thanks for the kind words, all! I really enjoyed creating and sharing the map.



-- Edited by hza556 on Friday 8th of April 2011 11:46:26 PM

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CowboyCraic wrote:
Michele Erdvig wrote:

 Many here on the forum are "addicted to Ireland" and hang out in our little community to get our Ireland "fix" in between trips.

Michele


 I am not addicted! Nope not me...I can quit any time I want to...Yep that's right...

Did I mention, ONLY 66 more days until I am breathing Irish Air?   biggrinbiggrinbiggrinbiggrinbiggrinbiggrin

 

Just about one month for me. woo who!!!!!!! clap.gif w00t.gif

 


 

 



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I SUPPOSE it all depends upon how you DEFINE 'Addiction' ...

 

Me, I've been BACK for only 5 days  evileye furious evileye

BUT ...

Only 62 more days 'til my NEXT visit!!!  biggrin biggrin biggrin biggrin

Bob



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Bob

Help Us to Help You.  The more you tell us about your plans (dates, interests, budget), the better we can tailor our advice to suit!



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hza,

That's a really great way to record your trip and share it with others! Thank you for posting the link...

Sure no one here is addicted to Ireland or travel in Ireland or thinking about and planning travel to Ireland. wink

According to the countdown app on my iPhone, we now have 1 month, 23 days, 14 hours, and 49 minutes until we take off on the first leg of our flights to Ulster. Huzzah!

Luckily (?), I don't have much time to dwell on it, because I have so much homework to do. Final project for my "Planning Custom Tours" class is due Wednesday, and I have another hotel comparison assignment due Tuesday. Plus, I have to actually go to work and make money, so I can get to Ireland. Etc., etc., etc. blankstare

And a big "Thank You" to Bob for rubbing it in that he gets to go to Ireland TWICE this year!!! bleh

Oh, and while wasting a bit of time being sidetracked from my research for my classes, I was looking at properties on Daft.ie and found a former 8 bedroom B&B in Lisdoonvarna for sale for around 160,000. Downside, it only has two bathrooms and needs a COMPLETE overhaul. LOL  Anyone want to chip in with me?



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Kate Nelson

Engaging Ireland

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hza556: Your introductory paragraph is so inspiring. I know what you mean...we too have some beloved Irish ancestry...and I have many special memories of our first visit to Ireland with my husband and 2 teen daughters in 2006. It sounds like you found both roots and wings in Ireland. aww Thank you for sharing. 

Next I clicked on your report with the map...and browsed through it. A quick browse was fascinating! What a great way to record and share your trip! I'm looking forward to reading more of your report, but I've got to tear myself away now as its my bedtime.

It sounds like you can relate to this. My Dad is Irish by ancestry on both his mom and dad's side of the family, although he has never been to Ireland himself. When I visited Ireland, in certain counties, I was amazed to see my "Dad" walking down the street...not my Dad literally, but several Irish men who bore an amazing resemblance to my Dad.

Your introductory paragraph is so well written...it captured me! I'll be back to read more. Our second trip to Ireland is in September 2011!

How did you manage to plan such a logical itinerary, driving in a nice orderly direction? I seem to be creating a tangled itinerary... 



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Anonymous

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Thank you for the kind words. Your experience sounds like mine -- every Irish face I encountered looked like a relative, and that level of familiarity was an unexpected joy and pleasure. Who wouldn't want to go back after an experience like that?! Ireland felt like what I imagine (and hope) heaven will be.



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Anonymous

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Forgot to address the itinerary question ... As first-timers, we decided to keep it simple. My sister got the idea for the general direction with the help of a travel agent. She suggested the southern route to maximize our time there. Our side trip to Kilkenny was a last-minute decision tossed in for variety. We really did see a ton. No need to bite off too much. That ensures the need to visit again. :)



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