Across the Pond to Ireland

My wife and I will be flying over the pond, making our third trip to Europe in as many years. We've previously traveled to England, France, Italy, Hungary, Austria, and the Czech Republic.

This time it's Ireland, the enchanting "Emerald Isle." We'll spend a week there, taking in the rural and urban areas with stops in Galway, Cork, and Dublin.

We'll also take in the otherworldly Burren, the majestic Cliffs of Moher, and other landscapes in our guided tour.

I went to Ireland 14 years ago on a writing assignment when I was editor of Kentucky Monthly magazine. I found it to be such a fascinating place, beginning with looking down at the checkered green topography and the plane approached Shannon airport.

I'm especially looking forward to Dublin and going to Trinity College, Temple Bar, St. Stephen's Green, St. Patrick's Cathedral and seeing some of the sites that celebrate the nation's rich literary history with such luminaries as Oscar Wilde, James Joyce, George Bernard Shaw, Jonathan Swift, and William Butler Yeats.

And, as much as anything, going to a few pubs and acquainted with some of the delightful and friendly Irish folks with a pint (or two) of creamy, smooth Guinness.

As I have in the past, I'll take lots of photographs and share them with a few posts on this blog as well as my Facebook page.

Until the next time . . . 

  

St. Patrick's Day

Ireland castle

Back in 2004 I spent a week in Ireland, visiting such places as Killarney, Dingle, and the Cliffs of Moher. Although it was nearly nine years ago, it seems like the recent past.

That's because Ireland made such a wonderful impression on me. I can still see the checkered-green landscape as I flew in to Shannon International Airport.

Dingle

It was a horse-themed trip as I, along with three other journalists, visited riding stables, horse trails and other things related to that majestic animal. I also found Ireland and Kentucky to be similar, aside from horses, as to landscape and the friendliness of the people.

But being an island nation, Ireland has rugged coastlines and some other characteristics such as the Burrens that make it such a beautiful place. And they also have Guinness.

Cliffs of Moher

I hope to return to Ireland someday. I would actually like to spend about a month or so there (or longer), after I retire from my everyday job, and write.

If you ever get an opportunity to travel to Ireland, do it! You'll never regret it.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!