The Things Friends do....

Well I am changing things up a little....I just want to share with you the special things good friends do for each other. I want to introduce to you Shannon. Shannon is a really good friend of Macaela's, they have known each other for going on 7 years now. They have both been dancing at NPIDA together and they have become true friends. The have supported each other through some good times and not so good times. As we all know there can be celebrations and disappointments in anything we do and Irish dancing is no different. They have an unconditional relationship and just seem to know what the other is thinking or feeling at anytime.

Shannon started something last year when Macaela travelled to Ireland. She made up a daily note, letter and even some math equations for Macaela to read. Each day Macaela had an envelope to open...this year was no different. She even took the time to make 2 little cards for Caitlin & Emma so they didn't feel left out.

I was given a bundle of envelopes all detailed and in order, so I wouldn't mess up. Each day I presented Macaela with her daily envelope whether it was yellow or white. It took a few days for her to realize the pattern again. The envelopes contained words of support, encouragement, words that made us laugh and even one had golden sugar.

To take the time, prepare and organize something like this takes a very special person and a true friend and that is who Shannon is to Macaela. She is someone Macaela can trust, lean on, laugh with and hold on to when she needs some extra support. I know in saying all that they have a mutual relationship. They both are always there for each other mutually.....

I really felt that this was one post I needed to share. Even though Shannon wasn't with us in Ireland she was....everyday and that meant so much to all of us. Thank you Shannon!!!!!!!!!

I thought I would share the daily tradition as I captured it.... photos 1-8

Day 3 - Killarney

j

Day 3 was spent in the town of Killarney, which is now one of my favorite places in the world. We started our day with a full breakfast at the Hotel and me losing Emma's tooth that fell out the day Macaela danced in Dublin. But luckily we found it....

We decided to drive to Ross Castle so we didn't tire the kids out from walking, my plan was to spend the day walking around the town do a little shopping and have lunch. The Castle was just as we last saw it last February, except a lot busier. April is definitely a busier time for tourists in Ireland, we met lots of Irish residents as they were on Spring/Easter Break.

The kids all really enjoyed the Castle.... seeing the ducks and swans, running, climbing and hiding in hidden areas. Of course this meant lots of opportunities for photos. Some old and some new, some that Macaela and I took last year and some different ones from this visit as a family.

After the visit to Ross Castle we went back to the hotel and walked down to the town, this only took us about 12 minutes. The first thing the Girls saw were the jaunting carts, these are the old horse drawn carts that our used to tour around the National Park in Killarney. Of course they asked "can we go on one?" We walked down the main street , stopped and looked in shop windows, took photos in front of "Mac's" restaurant all while on a search for the Penney's Store we found last year. As we slowly approached the store we realized it was no longer there, it was closed down...much to our disappointment. Standing there wondering why and how could it be closed we looked across the street and realized that there was a brand new absolutely huge Penny's staring us right in the face. We did a little happy dance and crossed the street.... well I am sure you can tell what we did next, shopped!

We couldn't find the little restaurant that Macaela and I had our first lunch at last year so we found a new spot "McKenzie's" the owner was so nice and friendly. Everyone in Ireland is no different, always open to conversation and so helpful which makes you feel like you are at home. (This is why I love Ireland so much, not to mention how beautiful it is)

The Girls got their wish and we took a jaunting cart back to the hotel. Patrick was our driver, a very friendly man who took to the Girls. He answered all their questions and more, he gave us a longer ride down a beautiful tree lined driveway of a very old hotel that had sheep in the fields right beside it. The Girls loved the ride!

After our shopping spree, lunch and ride we took a drive to Torc Waterfalls....it was really beautiful, another photo opportunity and some great shots. There are a few different hikes there ranging from 40 minutes to 2 hours but we opted for the 10 walk to the falls and the 20 minute walk back to the car because the girls decided to search for 4 leaf clovers.

After we returned to the hotel Kenny and the Girls opted for a swim...why is it that wherever you are, no matter what time of year, there is always the request to go swimming? It is always about swimming? I stayed back and re-packed the suitcases and re-organized, it was overdue. Then it was dinner and bed.....

We decided that we were going to change our trip a little, we decided to cancel our night in Galway which meant that we were going to skip the the drive to Dingle and the Cliffs of Mohar. I have been promised that we will definitely do them next time..... Instead we made the decision to head straight back to Dublin. We didn't spend anytime in the city prior to Macaela dancing as she wasn't feeling 100% and we had some broken up days with practices etc. The change was the best thing to do and worth it. So Thursday was going to be spent driving back to Dublin City!

On the Road - day 2

Day 2

Started in Cork with a quick breakfast and a visit to the Blarney Castle. It was so nice, the grounds were gorgeous and we could have spent a whole day there walking around and looking at so many things. Unfortunately we couldn't but what we did see and do we are happy with.

First we started with the Castle itself, it was amazing. We had access to the old building, looking out through the old windows, peering over walls and climbing up the curves staircases. The Girls had a great time as it all seemed that it was built for them, steep, narrow and dangerous...I could feel my heart stop few times. Once we reached the top of the Castle we found ourselves in line to "Kiss the Blarney stone" Kenny went first, Caitlin wanted to so badly and almost missed her chance but found the courage and did it. Macaela of course wasn't going to let Cait have that on her so she did it too. I of course took the photos and Emma was too small..... next time.

We spent some time walking around the grounds, saw some horses and walked through a trail and just happened to come across the "Wishing Steps" this of course is what I did, well we all did. We all had to climb to the top of the staircase which was within a huge rock, it was dark and a little wet... there was a hand rail so that helped. After climbing 32 ish steps you had then return down the stairs backwards with your eyes closed making you wish the whole time that you descended. It was fun, a little nerve racking and I really hope my wish comes true! After making our wishes we started to make our way to the car, we still had lots of driving to do to make it to Killarney.

We decided to take the scenic route to Killarney which we were told would add another hour to the trip? more like hours.....but it was beautiful and an experience. First stop Kilsare, a port town where we walked around and did a little bit of shopping. We continued driving along the coastline and sometimes a little inland, we made a quick stop at a beach area, once again too much sand so we made it short. We then drove further along making a stop in Bantry, this was a well needed stop to get out and stretch our legs and get a bite to eat.

Our final leg was from Bantry to Killarney Town....this was the most exciting part of the drive, steep hills side, narrow roads, tunnels, bridges, rock walls with water right below and sheep.... lots of sheep, some contained some not...... we missed this photo opportunity.

Our arrival into the National Park that surrounds Killarney started at a look out point. It was spectacular.... The views were amazing of the lakes and we only saw one of them. We had a photo opportunity that we couldn't miss and then we headed into the town. It was just as Macaela and I remembered, there is definitely a good feeling when you are travelling and you come back to or across something familiar.... it was a great feeling to be back in Killarney.

After another full day in the car travelling we just relaxed, had dinner and a very well deserved Guinness for Kenny. We knew we would have another full day ahead on Wednesday so it was back to our room and a good night sleep.

Computer problems....

I am sorry that I haven't posted for a few days... we have had computer and internet issues. I was able to post a few pictures from Monday and I have more to post from Tuesday, Wednesday and none from today Thursday as we drove from Killarney back to Dublin and didn't take any pictures along the way. We took a double decker into the city center this afternoon and we forgot the camera? I still don't know how that happened! I will try and post more later if not it won't be till tomorrow later afternoon or evening.

"On the Road" - Day 1

Our official road trip begin on Monday, today is Tuesday.....I didn't get a chance to post yesterday as we arrived into our hotel late and couldn't get an internet connection. So I will make up for it tonight/today.

We left Dublin on Monday afternoon and started our drive South to Cork. We were told the drive would take 4 hours, well 4 hours plus another 3 hours of stops and starts and we finally made it.

Our first stop was in Wicklow, we found a look out point and much to our surprise a beautiful cove with a golf course along its coastline. We spent a short while looking out to sea and skipping rocks, so much fun. We also passed by some amazing sand dunes, but we kept driving...we knew we wouldn't get the girls away and we would also end up with a rental car full of sand.

Second stop was Enniscorthy, a town a little further southwest and not on the coastline. We by fluke found Vinegar Hill...it was an old fort way up on a hill with absolutely spectacular views of Enniscorthy. It allowed us to see all of the town from a from an different perspective. It was truly amazing, it was a clear day and you could see for miles and miles.

Third stop was Dungarvan, this was a quaint little village. We walked around the outside of the main area which was a harbour. We came across an old stone wall and realized it was an old castle, Dungarvan Castle. Unfortunately it wasn't open for us to go inside but I still took some great pictures.

Our last leg was our final stop to Cork....we were all exhausted and ready for a bite to eat and a good nights sleep at this point. So we didn't take in any sites just a stopover till today.

I have posted pictures of all our stops, of course I took too many to post but you will get the idea of what our day was like. I hope you like them..... Look for more from today, our adventure to Killarney.