Days 19-23, October 21-25 -- Cottage Week (Mostly) :

Sunday: Shopping in Mallow, followed by a leisurely drive through Millstreet, Rathmore and Killarney, as far as Ladies View, before returning to the cottage. Familiar haunts.

Monday: Drove into Millstreet and down to Macroom. Visited the Library and following their advice, drove into Cork city to do research at the Cork County Main Library. Our search of old newspaper records produced no significant developments, however. Returned to our cottage via Blarney, just to avoid Cork traffic.

Tuesday: We drove into Mallow, orienteering for our planned luncheon with the Cousins, on the morrow. After finding our way around, I headed out of town, on the N73. FYI -- The N72, running from Mallow to Fermoy, is closed to traffic, while undergoing repairs. All traffic is now routed to the N73, requiring drivers to Fermoy to travel, via Mitchelstown. We, however, turned onto the R512, in Kildorry, to Ardpatrick, In the center of the village, a sharp turn, uphill, leads to a wide, dead end. From there, a locked gate (with an attached Pedestrian Pass Through) blocks the dirt road that leads -- up, around, up some more -- to the ruins of a hill-top site that includes little more than the foundation ring of a

Round Tower. I must confess that I only made it about half-way up, this trip. Detailed pix will have to wait for another visit -- HOPEFULLY, during more pleasant weather!

Back on the R512, I continued North, to Kilmallock. On our first visit to Kilmallock, in April of 2011, rain drove us back to the car before I had an opportunity to wander away from the Monastic Ruins, to view the remnants of the Round Tower, in another set of impressive ruins that are isolated from the Monastery by a tall row of trees. This time, the weather wasnt much better, but the rain DID hold off. Sadly, once again, the Local Museum was also closed. Exiting town, I followed the R518 onward, through Bruree and onto the N20, South, to return to our cottage.

Wednesday: Two of the Cousins came to the cottage and were AMAZED by what they saw. They could not believe the quality of the fit and finish (and furnishings) and kept remarking at how unseemly it was, for a place built specifically as a Rental! I drove them to Mallow, where we enjoyed a satisfying lunch at The Gallery. Back to the cottage, we enjoyed more fine conversation and tea, before the Cousins reluctantly headed back home.

Thursday : I drove toward Mallow and then turned off on the R620, into Drommahane. I turned South, there, following the R619, through Coachford, to join the N22. I headed toward Macroom, but turned off onto the R584, following it through Inchigeelagh and Ballingeary, to visit Guagan Barra, Leaving there, I continued on, through the Pass of Keimaneigh, into Kealkill. After a brief photo stop at Carriganass Castle, we continued on, through Bantry and into Drimoleague. We paid our respects at the Cemetery to fallen heroes and heroines and then made our way back to the cottage -- once again, due to failing light, driving via Blarney.

It was a mostly, Soft week. Cool, breezy, but with some scattered sun. Research-wise, it had been a bust, but I DID manage to sneak in two Round Towers (more, or less). We DID manage SOME visiting with family (though, NEVER enough!). We DID have a peaceful, restful time and we look forward to returning.    

Day 24, October 26:

We decided to shorten our Northward return to Sligo by departing on Friday Am, even though we were paid through Sat. morning. I drove into Mallow, headed East on the N73 to Mitchelstown and joined the M8. We detoured onto the N8, in the vicinity of the border of Tipperary and Kilkenny and then rejoined the M8. With now having TWO days to make our way, I dug in my heels and insisted that we travel via Newbridge -- This allowed visits to Fertagh and Liathmore Round Towers. After a quick stop in Cashel, for scones and tea that were to die for at Ryans Daughter, I exited the M8 at Junction 5 and continued North, on the Old N8. A short distance along, a finger signpost pointed off to the Right, for the Two Churches.

Its hard to spot. I didnt notice it, until it was too late to safely turn, so I needed to turn back to get there. A short drive along the side road, another finger sign points Left, toward the ruins. They are well back from the road, separated by a LARGE field that was FULL of cattle. Just beyond the sign, though a one-lane, dirt track leads back toward the ruins -- bordered on BOTH sides by farm fences. As Ive mentioned, the previous week had been Soft and the muddy track before me REFLECTED that. I could see a number of muddy puddles along the lane -- some, QUITE large. If I was driving a Focus, I wouldnt even have CONSIDERED going on.

But, I was driving a Quashqui -- a pseudo-SUV! -- so, Onward, went I. Though the wheels spun and mud flew, my indomitable Nissan forged ahead. About a quarter of a mile in -- about half-way to the ruins -- I braked to a sliding halt. The farmer had opened cross-gates, connecting the pastures to either side of the lane -- and stretched a wire-thin, ribbon of rope across the lane, on either side of the wide gates -- to discourage the cows from wandering up, or down the lane. It HAD worked, on MY side of the ribbon, but not so much, on the other. The cow that I had spotted in the lane is what caused me to notice the barely visible barrier, that now rested just a scant few feet from the Quashquis hood!

My detour had been in vain -- although I could clearly SEE the ruins, I wasnt going to be able to VISIT them! And, to make matters even worse -- Insult, to Injury -- I NOW needed to drive a quarter mile, along a muddy, puddled, ONE lane track -- in REVERSE!! It tooka while, but I managed. You cant BEGIN to imagine what our Nissan looked like afterwards!

Disgruntled, but relieved, we contined onward along the N8, where we made a brief, EASY visit to the Round Tower at Fertagh, before rejoining the M8. Making our way into downtown Newbridge, for a brief social/shopping visit with a delightful old acquaintance -- Mario Corrigan., at the Kildare County Library.

I first met Mario in February of 2002, in the Silken Thomas. Ciaran Wynne brought him to our impromptu, scheduled meet up, since Ciaran knew that I was actively researching the Rebellion of 1798. Mario had written his doctoral thesis ( All The Delirium Of The Brave - Kildare In 1798 ) based upon local implications and events. At that time, Marios Night Job was playing bass guitar in Ciarans band. Marios Day Job was working for the Kildare County Library, in Newbridge.

I met Mario again, in April of 2004 and June of 2010 and weve maintained a loose communication throughout. Mario is now the Executive Librarian, Local Studies, Genealogy and Archives, County Kildare Library and Arts Services and Chairman, Kildare Town heritage centre Committee. Mario has written, edited and compiled a number of different books, publications and pamphlets and has also co-written an illustrated childrens book, Do Fish Wear Pyjamas? I purchased three autographed copies for the Grandchildren, for Christmas. I also snagged two copies of Marios newest -- Kildare Footprints , Kildare Town Walking Tour & Heritage Trail -- AND a copy of A Topographical Dictionary of County Kildare 1837 , that Mario co-edited.

If you saw the US Television program of, Who Do You Think You Are?, featuring Rosie ODonnell, Mario was the Researcher who discussed Workhouses and guided Rosie through the Birr Workhouse. Mario currently continues to perform musically, as well, playing bass for the ill-named, but popular local band, The Porno Pigs. Mario currently lives in the Newbridge / Kildare area, with his wife, Colette, and their children, Eve and Jack.

Mario is a true, Renaissance Man. An International Star of Stage, Screen and Bookshelves nearly everywhere -- Or, at least, SOMEWHERE! I heartily recommend him as a resource, a musician, an individual and as a human being. He has a delightfully, wickedly Irish, sense of humor, but he is also, VERY knowledgeable about Irish history and Research Methodology. When my wife mentioned that OUR search had reached an impasse, Mario suggested a NEW approach -- by visiting the Valuations Office, in Dublin. He said that if you had lost trace of the PEOPLE, then sometimes, it might be easier to follow the LAND. Using Marios suggestions resulted in a Significant Break-Through, this trip, I might add. Smart man. A helpful man. A GREAT guy.       

By the time we departed Newbridge, it was nearly 4 PM. We meandered North, connecting with the M4, heading NW. We ended our day at Mullingar Park Hotel, as dusk was settling in. It was woefully over-priced, poorly managed, with disturbingly disarrayed security. NEVER again. Ive had a handful of regrettable stays over the past 13 years. This one was undoubtedly, THE worst -- Possibly, because there was NO good reason for it to have been THAT bad! The Hotel was clean, modern, roomy, with friendly service and had an excellent location. It was within walking distance of a TERRIFIC Chinese Restaurant, where we enjoyed a great meal and excellent service. The Hotel even had an attached Spa, Pool and Exercise Room. Hard to find any fault, Right???   

Try this:

70 Euro per person, B&B. Thats more than just a little pricey for October. Thats almost DOUBLE what we paid for one night at Breaffy House, the Lady Gregory, the Glasshouse (on the Sat night of a Festival Weekend). Its nearly 50% more than our night at Beeleek Castle --- and DOUBLE what we paid for TWO nights, at the Premier Inn at Dublin Airport!       

The Hotel WAS hosting some sort of Graduation Celebration for about 50 or 60 people, but that hardly made a dent in their occupancy. THAT event would be fine, a non-event, as it were, had they done so in any one of a number of attractive and colorful areas scattered around the Ground Floor. Instead, for some inexplicable reason -- the Group INSISTED on milling about the large lobby area -- which required other guests to carefully maneuver through the throngs of fancily-dressed revelers, each and every time they wished to enter or exit the hotel, converse with reception, visit the bar -- or use the elevators. This was NOT a temporary or fleeting thing, either. It continued, at least, until 10:00 PM, that I KNOW of -- as that was the last time that I Braved The Gauntlet, in order to step outdoors for a smoke. 

The Celebration continued until around 5 AM -- at least that was the approximate time that MOST of our fellow guests on the fourth floor loudly announced their Good Nights to all and stumbled and bumbled their giggling selves into their rooms    

It was about 6:30 AM when one of the partiers on the third floor decided that it would be Great Craic to stuff a towel into a trash can, place it in the middle of the hallway and set it afire! When the BLARING fire alarm sounded, my wife called the front desk and was advised that, Its fine, now. Everything is just Grand. The problem has been sorted. No, I shouldnt think that you need to evacuate your rooms AT THIS TIME.         

Probably NOT the best comment to mention to my half-awake wife      

Even though the problem HAD been Sorted, the staff was either unable or incapable of silencing the alarm. About 6:45, in various stages of dress and disarray, MANY of the guests managed to make their way to the Lobby-- BY STAIRS -- since the elevators were rendered inoperable by the triggered Alarm. Assured that there was NO danger, some of the guests opined that they might as well have breakfast, but were advised that it was too early.

It was about 7 AM, when they finally managed to fully clear the alarm. They also GRACIOUSLY allowed that they would NOW begin serving, so about half of us decided to avail ourselves.

We departed the hotel a little before 9 AM, amid weak apologies. I had overheard the POSSIBILITY of a discount being offered, for a FUTURE stay -- but I wasnt interested.

More To Come ...

Bob

Michele -- You are MORE than welcome.  It was really, the LEAST that I could do ...

              I have to dissagree about hotels and weekends, though ... We spent a Saturday night of a Bank Holiday Weekend -- in the Middle of a major Music Festival -- at The Glasshouse -- Without suffering through ANY of the drama that occurred in Mullingar.  Obviously, management in Sligo had a PLAN!     

Day 25, Saturday, October 27: 

      Since we were on the road so early, with nothing more planned for the day beyond Getting To Sligo, we decided to be a bit adventurous. The M4 had ended, just before Mullingar, devolving into a more traditional, N4. The going wasnt MUCH slower, but now there were towns and villages along our path -- Some, interesting and some, not so much.

      We drove into

Edgeworthtown, but followed the bypass around Longford. We dawdled, in Roosky, where we spent a night, back in February of 2002. Its a pretty, quiet place, astride the River Shannon. Continuing on, we drove into the heart of Carrick-On-Shannon and parked at the Marina. There, we photographed a number of members of a Rowing Club -- mostly in Twos and Fours. Our son had raced Crew, in High School (Fours and Eights), so we found it rather interesting. It seemed quite photogenic, with the graceful stone bridge as a backdrop.

     Nearby, we discovered an old courthouse that had been repurposed as an Art Gallery and Civic Center, called The Dock. They had a nice little café, where we snacked on tea and scones, clean rest rooms and a nice little gift shop. Refreshed, we continued on, to the Lough Key Overlook (With its Chieftain Sculpture). The day was showing promise. We even had some blue sky above us -- though it WAS rather grey along the horizons, in ALL directions! We followed signs for a Scenic Drive around Lough Key and then, a little further North, another, that lead us around Lough Arrow. The foliage was a bit of a surprise -- very New England-y    

With the day seeming to improve as we drove, I detoured off the N4 once again and brought us to the lower gate of Carrowkeel.Not sure how much walking my wifes knee might handle -- and eyeing the still-dubious horizons, I drove through and followed the road up, to the upper gate. I was tempted to press on from there, quoting the now infamous, But I have a Quashqui! -- but the Mrs. Wasnt having any of it -- It seems that she took the big, No Vehicles Beyond This Point sign at Face Value (Rather than as a Helpful Suggestion!!!).    

We sat there parked, for a while, before deciding to Chance walking the road onward. FYI -- It is a LONG road, winding around and around the surrounding hills, before ending at a Car Park, at least a mile or more beyond the second gate. From there, a rather steep path UP leads to the first large hill-top Cairn. I believe it was Cairn G, due to the Window Box. The hills are peppered with them, but we only managed to make it to the first, as we were already Pushing The Limits of my wifes knee. While she wandered about, taking photos of the scenic views and the distant rainbow, I climbed down, inside the Cairn and snapped a few interesting photos of my own.   

We made our own path back down, picking our way down through the rocks, mud and Sheep Poo, so that we shaved about 1/10^th of a mile off our return hike. Back on the road, we joined a young couple who were out for a bit of exercise and spent our return walk in pleasant conversation. 

After returning to the N4, we made another brief stop in Coolooney, following a sign pointing uphill, toward Marian Year 1987-88 Peace Shrine. The Shrine is a small Chapel, on the grounds of an old Manor House that now houses Cloonmahon Learning Disability Services Center. In addition to the small Shrine, there were also a number of interesting architectural features -- mostly in and on the walls leading to what was probably the old, formal gardens of the Estate. 

Back on the road, we made our way into a busy, hectic Sligo town center. It didnt help that it had turned dark and Soft. Seeing as it was late Saturday afternoon, on a Bank Holiday Weekend, mid-way through SligoLive Music Festival, though -- I wasnt TERRIBLY surprised. We even managed to score a parking space within the underground Parking Garage that is attached to our hotel -- The Glasshouse. Now, maybe -- just maybe -- my opinion is TAINTED by my unpleasant stay in Mullingar -- but WOW! What a GREAT place!! We had a river view, deluxe room that opened onto a large balcony. Our view included the Yeats Statue, the Hyde Bridge and MOST of Sligo town! While the décor IS a tad Wild -- Im not sure how anyone NOT sober might handle the visual cues evoked by the rather Busy carpet patterns in the hallways -- the hotel was a very pleasant welcome.

After settling in, we set out in search of supper. We finally located an available eatery on Rockwwod Parade, a semi-pedestrian, riverside street, called Fiddlers Creek. We enjoyed a pleasant meal, seated by a window that afforded us a warm, DRY view of the happenings passing by. Afterwards, we wandered about town for a bit, but we had pretty much exceeded our Daily Walking Limit, so we headed back to the Glasshouse for the night.

More To Follow

Bob

Day 26, Sunday, October 28:

Morning crept Softly over the horizon -- Cool, damp and grey. I took my morning wander, snapping close up photos of the river, the Yeats Statue and the wet, empty streets. We had spotted a really cute café (

Lilys Café) the previous night, adjacent to the Yeats Memorial Building. They were closing when we arrived for our evening meal -- they serve breakfast and lunch -- but sadly, they are also CLOSED on Sundays

Instead, we bought breakfast at the hotel (not included in the 99 Euro price of our Deluxe Riverview Room.

After checking out, we began our day with a bit of Orienteering -- locating our next nights accommodations and figuring out how to make our way To/From there, to the Area on the campus of the Sligo Institute Of Technology, where Van Morrison was scheduled to perform.

When we first decided to attend the Sunday night concert, I had immediately booked one night at Benbulben Suites-- efficiency apartments on the grounds of - and affiliated with -- The Clarion Hotel . It was within walking distance of the concert venue and only 79 Euro, per night. Once we decided to make Sligo a Two-Night stay, the website claimed that Benbulben had no vacancies for the Saturday night -- Hence, our stay at the Glasshouse. Were I to retroactively re-plan the trip, I would probably have spent BOTH nights at the Glasshouse.

Since it was too early to check in, we set off to Tour some of the areas more far-flung attractions. I drove NE along the N16 to Manorhamilton. We stopped along the way for misty, damp, but enchanting views of Glencar Lake and waterfall and arrived in Manorhamilton, just as Mass was starting. I dropped my wife at the gate and set out in search of diesel for the Quashqui and Diet Coke, for myself. Refreshed and refueled, I waited in the Church car park, retrieved my wife and set out, in light rain, along the R280.

We followed that scenic route until just outside of Bundoran, where we joined the N15, heading South. Our next detour was into and through the Gleniff Horseshoe. It was surreal and other-worldly on such a Soft day. Mist hung from the heights and drifted along side in the crevasses and crannies of the bogs. The mountains seemed to loom OVER us as if undecided whether to vanish, or tumble down, on top of us swallowing us, in the mists of time It was DISTURBINGLY peaceful.

After returning to the N15, our next stop was Drumcliff. We enjoyed a nice, hot meal and even managed to snag some of their, To Die For desserts, before continuing on, to Rosses Point. The rain had stopped by the time we arrived, but only, Just Barely. We drifted along the coast, stopping here and there at a number of scenic spots for photos and then, only a LITTLE reluctantly, made our way to check in at Benbulben Suites.

Our ground floor apartment seemed overdue for a face lift, although it was perfectly adequate. A phone number was posted, should any problems arise (or, to check in) and the young lady who arrived about 5-10 minutes later was helpful and pleasant, but it would seem much more sensible to have a RESIDENT manager. FYI -- The place was never more than 20% occupied during our stay. It WAS, however, only a five minute walk ( a US walk -- NOT an Irish one ! ) from the Arena.

We needed to collect our pre-paid tickets ( 106.9 Euro, for Two ) at the door. Seating was General Admission -- although Some floor seats were Reserved for those that had purchased Full SligoLive Festival tickets. Doors opened a 6 and the concert was scheduled to begin at 8. We were going to walk down, about 6:30, in order to find some good seats, but it started raining again, rendering the whole, within walking distance thing rather moot. We arrived about 6:40, while close-in parking was still readily available.

It had been announced that there would be NO Opening Act, but when I claimed our tickets, they announce that Vans daughter, Shana would warm up the crowd, beginning about 7:30. We headed inside and selected our seats.

Knocknarea Stadium is a small venue, with a claimed seating capacity of 1,200. Its possible that they may have squeezed in some additional seats on the floor, but I doubt if it was all that many. The floor is little larger than a basketball court and the stage juts out from one wall, centered around what would be mid-court. There are three rows of raised, bleacher seats lining the wall opposite the stage. We chose to sit in the middle section, in the last (top ) row. We were less than 75 feet from the front of the stage, lined up, nearly dead center of it. Our two seats were at the top of the staircase leading up, so we had a clear, unobstructed view. We sat along side two couples from England, who had come over to Sligo, just for the weekend. The seemed very appreciative when I shared my trusty monocular / mini telescope.

Concert recap and reviews -- ctober-2012-knocknarea-arena-sligo.html">Van The Man . All that I can add to their comments, is to say that it was a MAGICAL night. The set list was INSPIRED and the performance was nearly flawless. Van controls and adjusts on the fly -- usually via subtle head nods, hand and arm gestures. Once, he even commanded his requirement by voice and exaggerated gestures, when the sax player didnt react quickly enough! Usually, though, a quick point of the finger was sufficient to make the necessary change -- be it moderating the tempo, or changing to a completely different guitar!

Vans performance ran a near continuous forty-five minutes and then he walked off. The band remained, playing for the duration of a five minute standing ovation. There was NO encore. I opined that Van was probably ALREADY back at the Clarion Hotel, before the first of the crowd finally began to exit the Arena!

We made our way out to the car park, but with the traffic and all the people milling about, it took about 20 minutes before we finally began the drive back to our apartment. We felt like we were floating, in a sort of Transcendental State.

DEFINITELY it was THE highlight of our trip!

More To Come

Bob

Bit -- Van IS a perfectionist.  After getting 'worked over' by a couple of Record labels, he walked away and started his own.

Like many highly talented artists, he is, ummm -- rather eccentric ...

We've seen him perform, here in the States and anticipated a certain, "Fickleness". 

Numerous publications in Ireland have often referred to him as 'Grumpy, old, Baggy Pants' ...

In spite of -- OR, because of this -- his performances are usually FLAWLESS -- accusticly, sconicaly and performance-wise ...

About 1/2 an hour before the start of the show, someone near us took a flash photo of the stage ---

Within SECONDS, Arena personnel and security arrived -- Loudly announcing that:

 "Van has stated that at the first glimps of a photo flash -- he will walk off the stage -- and will NOT return!" 

No further flash photos were taken -- by ANYONE ....       

The concert was Inspired and Flawless.  It would have been CHEAP -- at TWICE the price!

Bob

Day 28, Tuesday, October 30:

In the morning, I performed a final clean out of the Quashqui and drove to the nearby Petrol Station/ Shop. I topped up the Diesel and paid our M50 Toll and then set off for the airport, to return the car. I had picked it up in the Car Park at the Terminal and had been advised that I could return it there as well ( a BIG improvement!) -- but Signage has NOT been updated and is still, QUITE confusing. I finally went with what I know -- and returned to the Depot, instead. The Return went off without a hitch -- the worst of the heavy coating of mud having MOSTLY been washed away by the previous days of rain. A quick shuttle ride brought us back to the Airport, where we purchased two Return tickets on the Airlink, boarded almost immediately and were off to Dublin, for the day.

We have only done this once, previously -- just this past April. We had stayed near Heuston Station and rode the Airlink up to the airport to drop off my SIL and then promptly returned to Heuston and our hotel. What we learned THIS trip, however is that MOST of the Airlink Drop Off sites are located away from their Pick Up locations! If you ever opt to do this -- be SURE to grab a Route Map!   

Since our immediate goal was the Irish Life Building complex, to visit the

General Registry Office and the Valuation Office (per Mario Corrigans suggestion), we exited on Talbot Street. We walked South one block, to Abbey Street Lower. It was cool and blustery and threatening to rain. Our first stop was at the GRO, which despite its rather chaotic functioning, DID yield a death record for a younger sister of my wifes Grandfather that we previously had only had a birth record for.   

Next, we moved downstairs, to the Valuations Office -- a MUCH more relaxed place -- following Marios hint, to Follow The Land. The 1901 Census places the family in Gurteenroe, Macroom, County Cork and that was also the address listed on the Death Record for the Great-Grandfather, Timothy, in 1902. We have been search for his burial place for the past couple of years -- without success. The records are either unavailable, lost or destroyed during some terrible flooding that occurred in Macroom, back in the 1960s. The 1901 Census listed the family residence as in House #2, but the 1911 Census Taker started HIS count from a different location, so we had NO idea where the old Homestead was physically located. Thanks to Marios EXCELLENT advice -- and a VERY helpful Staff Member -- we now do!     

Handwritten notebooks were kept, by each locality, in order to Value property, based upon size, usage and improvements -- such as buildings. These entries were updated whenever a change occurred and the books themselves, were replaced, periodically, by newer books. Most important for Researchers, though -- the Old books were sent off to the Valuation Office and stored. Currently, the contents are NOT available On-Line. I suspect that it will be YEARS before the tedious, labor-intensive transcription takes place, as each book contain continuously amended and annotated notes, spanning a number of years. However, if you GO there, tell them the Townland and approximate dates -- they give you over the ACTUAL books, so that you can study them!  

History -- Held in your very own hands! Its pretty daunting.

Since we knew the name of the property owner, from the Census form, we were able to locate the Plot Number of the property and then, follow it forward, through the years, as ownership and details changed. Cool Stuff! Copies are available, for a small fee, but we were encouraged to save some money by taking photos of the relevant passages. The Staff member even printed out a current OSI map for us that had the labeled Plot locations overlaid on it! That provided info on the size and shape and location of the land, but NOT the house.

The dwelling was listed as vacant in 1910 and described as In Ruins, in 1915. The NEXT entry, a few years later, listed NO dwelling on the property. That means that we had a GENERAL idea of where the old house had been (within a few acres ) but that seemed to be as close as we could get. When we mentioned our bitter-sweet discovery to the man helping us, he asked us to wait and disappeared for about ten minutes. When he reappeared he handed us a ragged, old OSI map. It had been laminated at SOME point and the lamination had yellowed and flaked away in some places. Back in the days before computers, someone had painstakingly Hand Rendered the Plot outlines onto the OSI map.

And, as with ALL Detailed OSI maps, THIS included all known dwellings and archeological features. The map was printed around 1900 -- so it INCLUDED our now vanished Homestead! As before, we were encouraged to photograph as much as we wished! Subsequently, we also performed a search of the property where the family was known to have lived, back in 1865, when the Great-Grandparents first married.

It was a Magical couple of hours! VERY enlightening AND productive. Total Research expense was under 10 Euro, too, including a couple of printed copies! Our only regret was that we made these discoveries at the END of our trip -- when it was too late to "Walk the Same Ground" that the ancestors had ...    

Ah, well --- NEXT time!     

We exited the Irish Life complex on Abbey Street, popped into a nearby hotel for lunch and then tried to find our way to a Pick Up location, to re-board the Airlink. I could NOT for the life of me find one, so I instead did what SEEMED like the only logical thing -- We walked to the clearly marked Luas stop on Abbey Street and rode it to Heuston Station -- and boarded the Airlink at the only Pick Up point that I positively knew.

We rode the bus to the Airport, located the Shuttle that runs from there to Premier Inn (1 Euro per person) and got off at the Hotel. After our disappointing meal the previous night, we decided to try our luck in the Hotel restaurant and were PLEASANTLY surprised to discover that the food, the service and the prices were ALL excellent! Live and learn.   

We finished our final repacking and called it a day. It had been a VERY good day.   

More To Follow

Bob

Oh so very close! I always seem to have the opposite problem...where I arrive at my connecting outbound flight and they advise that service has been delayed getting TO Ireland

I loved following your Round Tower quest. As much time as you spend in the south, I would think you have been to the St. Mullin site, seo? The Round Tower is but a base...but the site is fantabulous in its history and architectural mix.

Bob,

Maybe you should do a Lulu book (with photos) about your quest for round towers???    

Very enjoyable trip report - as usual. Thank you for posting. 

Michele