In early January, we decided that we would like to spend a couple weeks in Ireland, after we had put the boat to bed in Buckhorn. We’d drive to Toronto and fly to the Emerald island but that didn’t really work out with the issues in Lake Superior, so we came home for a couple weeks. We left Winnipeg early on Tuesday September 17th and travelled as far as Thunder Bay. We stopped by McKellar marine and dropped off our newest lithium battery, we also were given 2 props that needed to be taken to Buckhorn. We stayed at the Choice hotel called the Courthouse, as that is what it previously was. We were given a room on the lower floor that had a wheelchair accessible shower, which was great but it was badly designed as when we showered the next morning it flooded the bathroom.

We checked out and drove towards the Sault. We spent the night, and went to Wacky wings for supper. We left early in the morning and travelled as far as Buckhorn arriving around 3pm. We picked up our refurbished props, and dropped off the other set from McKellar’s. We then drove up to Bancroft to spend some time with Brian and Helen.

On Friday we had lunch and a visit with Brian Hayton. We left around noon on Saturday, we stopped at Kawartha, as we were leaving Bancroft, as I had a craving for coconut ice cream. We arrived at Linda and Rick’s in Oshawa around 3 pm. We had some snacks and drinks and then Rick, Linda and I spent some time in their pool.

After dinner, I learned how to play shuffleboard, we also played a game of skip bo. On Sunday we relaxed, swimming, and playing games. Following lunch on Monday, we packed up and headed for Toronto. We called our parking garage, to see if we could arrive early, which was fine. We arrived at park 4u around 4 pm, and were given a ride to the airport. We got our boarding passes, and had to wait in departures, until we could check our large bag at 8pm. We then went through security and moved to our gate. We boarded our Air Transat around 11:15, and left Toronto at 11:55. At 1pm we were given a full meal, we then attempted to sleep, I was in the middle seat, between a man in the aisle and Andy, at the window, so a little cramped. It was a 6.5 hour flight and we arrived in Dublin at 11:30 a.m. once we were through customs and picked up our checked bag, we took a taxi to the Marine hotel in Sutton Cross, just outside of Dublin.

We rested a little, and then I switched the SIM card in Andy’s phone, so we would have phone and internet capabilities. We then for a walk to scout out the Dart tram station, and a grocery store. We ran into some friendly people who set us in the right direction of the station. Upon returning to the hotel, we ate in the restaurant, having soup and an Irish cheese plate for dessert. In the morning we went for breakfast, and then called a taxi to take us to Heuston station, where we were catching a train to Cork at 11:00. While waiting for our train, I scouted out where the Luas tram station was, as we will be using it on our return trip. On our 2 hour and 40 minute ride to Cork, we saw lots of fields with cattle and sheep. It rained for most of the trip. We picked up our standard rental car which was a little Mazda, we requested a GPS, which was an older model Garmin, which wasn’t very useful. We missed a few turns, but finally arrived at the cottage called Glen cairn, near Lismore. Rural roads were very narrow, hardly wide enough for 2 cars to meet, no shoulders on the road, roads are typically bordered by a hedge or rock wall. I was thankful that I wasn’t the designated driver. After unpacking at the cottage, which consisted of a bedroom, small kitchen and a bathroom, we set off for Lismore to pick up a few groceries.

We found that the cottage, was cold, so Andy emailed the owner and he turned on the heat. We also seemed to have a fly problem, it didn’t matter how many I killed or let out the window, they seemed to be multiplying. On Thursday, we drove back to the car rental place to get some more instructions. We then drove to Blarney castle, where we walked around and explored the gardens and the lower parts of the castle. We did not join the 1 hour wait to kiss the stone, especially since my husband has no problem with the gift of the gap, and “long story short”.

After a stop at the gift shop, where Andy found this saying that he liked, we left.

We then headed to the port of Cobh, pronounced Cove. The GPS took us the shortest wait, but involved taking a ferry across the harbour, which we didn’t want to do. So we revised the route, and after several missteps, arrived in Cobh. After finding parking, we went into the Cobh heritage centre, we started by eating, and then toured through the centre where we learned about Irish emigration, as well Cobh’s link to the Titanic. There was a cruise ship parked nearby, so the centre was very busy.

We stopped at a grocery store enroute to the cottage and picked up something to cook for dinner.

On Friday morning, I put in some clothes to wash, but the washer did not seem to be functioning properly- we informed the owner, and then left for the day. First stop was Waterford, another port city. After finding parking, we walked around, checked out some of the stores, and saw this artisan blowing glass.

We then ventured north to the town of Kilkenny. We went to the Smithwick brewery aka Killkenny tour and learned that Guinness actually now owns Kilkenny beer. Following the tour we went to Kytelers Inn for a pub meal and more beer for the navigator.

When we got home we learned that the washer was broken, so Katherine had taken my laundry to her mother’s place to wash and dry our clothes. She dropped them off after 9pm.

In the morning, we set off for the Rock of Cashel, enroute we stopped at the Vee, which is about 2000 feet above sea level. The V refers to v shaped turn in the road in a gap in the Knockmealdown mountains, from here you can see multiple counties. Upon arrival at the Rock of Cashel, we learned it is the greatest cluster of medieval buildings in Ireland, it was originally a seat of the Munster kings but was given up and repurposed as a church in the 11th century. It also has views of the plains of Tipperary, one of the most fertile areas in the republic.

We came back to the cottage, Andy cooked supper and then we started packing up our stuff. We left shortly after 7, as it was more than an hours drive to Cork, and it was raining quite hard and was very windy. We got into Cork, by 8:30, and had to find a gas station that was opened to fill up the tank. After dropping off the car, we were given a lift to the train station with our bags. We left on the train at 10:25; headed to Dublin. Enroute we learned that flooding, and some trees were down in Cork due to the rain and winds. Once in Dublin, we transferred to a Luas tram to get us to Connelly station, 2 very kind Luas employees helped us with our luggage and escorted us to our destination. We left Connolly at 2:50, on a train bound for Belfast, however due to construction of a new Grand Central station there, we were only able to go as far as Newry, we were transferred once again to a bus for the last hour. We arrived at Lanyon station, and called a cab to take us to our hotel. What a travel day in 10 hours, we travelled by car, 2 trains, a tram a bus and a taxi, going from Cork to Belfast in Northern Ireland. We met some people on the train, who said they would never go that far in a day. Andy explained we live on a boat in the summer and think nothing of driving 22 hours to get to it.

Our hotel was located in the Cathedral quarter of Belfast, close to city centre-called the Quarter by Warren, the room was very small, but adequate. In the morning, we went to the kitchen room, for breakfast, of toast, pastries, cheese, ham and beverages. Following breakfast we called a cab to take us to the Titanic exhibition. The exhibit had information about life in Ireland, the famine, emigration, and industry making of linen. The focus of the exhibit was on ship building, as well as the fate of the Titanic. Very well presented!

After lunch, we walked about 10 minutes in the rain, to the Public records office of Northern Ireland. we signed up for membership cards, and then went up to one of the research room, and got some assistance and guidance on what we needed to do to find Andy’s ancestors.

We were able to find the marriage, and birth records of his grandfather and 2 great uncles. We also found that there were McKendry’s in a cemetery in Portglenone. Leaving PRONI, we caught a bus to city centre, as it was raining, and went to White’s pub for dinner- rather than beer I have been trying the Irish apple ciders, and had a rockshore, which I think is made by Guinness—quite refreshing. On Tuesday morning after breakfast we walked around near our hotel and saw St Patrick’s church as well as St. Anne’s cathedral.

We checked out of the hotel and took a taxi to the car rental office. This time we have a 2022 Hyundai Tucson, automatic, with an on board GPS , so a little easier for the driver. We found our way out of the city, and got to our cottage in Broughshane which was about 35 miles away. We dropped off our luggage then drove to Ballymena for some groceries.

In the main house, which our west wing rental is attached to , there is a film crew using it for series. I was told it was for BBC, and was about one of the Parnell Hall, puzzle lady mysteries. Interesting, people were buzzing around, until well past dark. Our accommodations were amazing, the kitchen was well equipped, it had 2 bathrooms, 2 TV’s and plenty of storage. We were very comfortable!

In the morning, after breakfast we set off up Carnlough road for the Antrim coast. We followed the road, stopping in Ballycastle, and took some pictures of the marina, which has more than 70 slips. Ballycastle, no longer has a castle it was destroyed hundreds of years ago. We did stop at Dunseverick and Dunluce castles. We proceeded to the Giant Causeway, which is an UNESCO heritage site of 40,000 basalt columns which remain after a volcanic eruption some 60 million years ago.

Following the causeway we then went to Bushmills Distillery and took the tour. Bushmills was started in 1608, and is one of the oldest distilleries in Ireland.

Following our tour, and tastings, we met some other Canadians, from Charleswood- small world! At the grocery store, across from the distillery I picked up some red wine for Andy and a 4 pack of OUTCIDER, another Irish cider for me to try.

On our way back to the cottage, we stopped at the Thatch inn for appetizers and drinks. Andy also enquired if anyone knew any McKendrys, and learned that there was a regular who typically came in on Thursdays- we may have to return.

On Thursday we started the day by going to Robert McKendys plumbing in search of relatives. We talked to Helen, who called her father in-law, who suggested we go to Portglenone, which was already on our list for today. At the cemetery we found a headstone/braid where Andy’s great great grandfather, great grand father, great grand mother and great uncle were noted.

Here is the inscription on the headstone at the townhill Portglenone cemetary:

Erected by Andrew McKendry, Mayboy, in memory of his father Frank who died 17th August 1887; aged 71 years. Also his mother Jane, who died 28th February 1857; aged 35 years and his brother James, who died 16th October 1889; aged 42 years. The above named Andrew McKendry died 28th March 1926; aged 76 years. also his daughter Mary Jane, who died 11th January 1931, aged 32 years and his wife Agnes, who died 13th June 1931, aged 71 years.

Following our visit here we drove to Londonderry, and once we found parking, we set off walking to see some of the murals. We could have booked a 2 hour guided walking tour, but we did not, which I was glad of. At one mural, there was a tour, and I couldn’t understand a word that the tour guide had said.

On our way back to the cottage, we had planned to stop at a pub in Ballymena, but couldn’t find parking, so we stopped in Broughshane, and bought some groceries for supper. On Friday morning, I put in a load of laundry, before we set off the “Candy” laundry machine, washes and dries clothes but takes about 6.5 hours for a load.

Since it was raining,we decided we needed indoor activities,so we drove into the outskirts of Belfast, and toured the Belfast castle and had lunch.

On on way back we stop at a grocery store in Ballymena, and purchased a few things. We drove back to the west wing, and noticed that the film crew had left. The laundry wasn’t complete, but it was on the drying cycle. Around 7, we went into Broughshare to the Merchant, and ordered fish and chips- I ordered smoked haddock and Andy had cod- the orders were massive- we likely could have shared an order. I enjoyed a couple outciders and Andy had wine. We then watched coronation street- in Ireland it is on Mon, Wed, and Friday for an hour, typically in prime time between 8 and 9. Ireland, have lots of game shows, and you can find one at almost any time of the day or night. We watched a lot of the chaser, but also bull’s eye- that combines darts and trivia, as well as tip-it, more questions, and moving markers to win money. This part of the world love their quizzes.

On Saturday, we packed up around 10 and headed for Belfast to return the car and catch our train to Dublin. Since we arrived early at the train station, we were able to take the noon train, instead of the 2 pm one which I had booked.Once again, we took a bus to Newry and then switched to the train. We arrived at Connolly station at 2:15, and got a cab to take us to the Marine hotel in Sutton.We were happy to learn that our room had been upgraded to a sea-side view. This will be our home for the next 5 nights as we explore Dublin. Here’s our view, with a few brave souls taking a dip in the Irish Sea.

For supper we went to Cucinos, an Italian restaurant in the hotel, where we shared a pizza. On Sunday after our breakfast of eggs, ham, hashbrowns, black and white pudding, we decided to venture into Dublin. It was overcast with intermittent showers. We walked the 10minutes to the Dart (Dublin area rapid transit)station, and took a train, getting off near Trinity college.

We did some souvenir shopping and walked around. We ended up going through the national Archaeology. Museum. Here there were many displays of artifacts-pottery, bones, mummies, and metals. As well there was information on how the Vikings in the 10th century had a role in Irelands history. Many of the artifacts had been unearthed in bogs, which had preserved them intact. We met some Canadians here, from Brandon MB.

We left, but taking the Luas tram back to Connolly station to catch our Dart train. We also purchased 3 day leap cards for each of us. These leap visitor cards are good for buses, dart and luas trams in the Dublin area, and only cost 16 euros for 3 days. For dinner we went to the Golden Elephant, which was located near our hotel. I had a Thai curry, and Andy has beef with vegetables.

On Monday after breakfast, we took the dart to Connolly, and the walked up to O’ cconnel street to the hop-on, Hop-off (ho-ho) terminal. We decided we would spend the next 2 days seeing the sights in Dublin by this method. We started by doing the entire city loop with its 25 stops, and saw many of the highlights of Dublin.

We then went back to stop 2, and took the docklands tour, which showed some of the newer areas of Dublin. Following the tour, we went to Murphy’s Pub for lunch, as one of the perks from the ho-ho was a 2 for one lunch deal. I had a salad and an angry orchard cider- wasn’t as good as the rock shore that Andy had.

After lunch, we took the ho ho to stop 5, where we got off near the Oscar’s Wilde statue, we then went to the national gallery of Ireland. The artwork dated back to the 1500’s, and had several Renoir, Picasso and Van Gogh pieces.

We got back on the hoho and went to stop 8 which was near the Pearce dart station. We got a train headed for Howth, and got off at the Sutton station. Tuesday, was a sunny day without rain, we reversed our steps from the night before, and got off at Pearce, and got on the hoho bus. We took it to the temple bar area, and walked around the area, with wall to wall bars and restaurants.

Then back on the bus and we went to Dublin castle and toured the interior.

We caught the hoho and went to Phoenix park, I walked around some of the gardens, with many of the flowers still in full bloom in October.

Back on the bus, we got off at stop 23, and walked to O’Shea’s merchant for their lunch special which was Irish stew and a Guinness for 10 euros, I substituted Guinness for rock shore cider. Once we were back on the bus, we took it to Pearse and caught our Dart to Sutton, arriving at 5:30. After some snacks, I put on my bathing suit and did some laps in the hotel pool.

On Wednesday, our last full day in Dublin, had rain in the forecast again. We decided to take the dart train to the end of the line in Greystones. This town is about 30 miles south of Dublin, and much of the track runs along the coast of Dublin Bay.

We passed through Blackrock, Seapoint, Mallin, Dalkey, Killiney and Brey before arriving in Greystones.Upon exiting the station, we stopped for hot chocolate and scones at the grey cafe. I had a raspberry scone which was very tasty. When we left the cafe, rain had started, we walked up the street a little, but the rain was coming down harder, so we decided our exploring of Greystones had ended, and we would catch a train heading back to Dublin. The first train was headed to Malahide, but we were told we could take it to Brey and switch to a Howth train there, so that’s what we did.

We took the train to Howth, arriving there at 2:30. Howth is a fishing village, with many vessels in the harbour, and several fish mongers set up to sell the catch, and many restaurants. We stopped at the Oar house for a late lunch.

Over the winter we had seen a “you gotta eat here” show, and the oar house had been highlighted. Our meals were fantastic, Andy had a small order of the bay mussels in a white wine sauce- he had between 40 and 50 mussels for 11 euros, I had grilled salmon, and a salad also very delicious. When we came out of the restaurant, the sun was finally shining. We got on the Dart and headed to Sutton and the hotel.

I attempted to check in for our flight, but wasn’t able to so we decided we would leave the hotel around 8:30, to ensure we are at the airport 4 hours before our 1:15 flight. I took some pictures around the hotel, and went to the water’s edge and stuck my feet in the Irish Sea- it was cold. I picked up a few shells on the shore, as the tide was just starting to go out.

On Thursday after breakfast, we were picked up by taxi and taken to the airport, arriving shortly after 9:15.We got our boarding passes, and checked our bags, because our flight is full, they also took our carry on cases at no charge. Once we were through security, we stopped at another gift shop to spend more euros, and then went to our gate to wait for boarding, which commenced at 12:15. We arrived in Toronto around 3:30 local time, once we were through customs and had our luggage, I texted Park 4U, by the time we found the column where we were to meet, our car and driver were already there. He drove back to the compound, and turned the car over to us. I would highly recommend this service, very professional and prompt, and you don’t have to wait for a shuttle to take you to the car park. I’m not sure if we have this service in Winnipeg, but it would be great- especially in winter. We left Toronto and headed for Barrie, traffic was horrible, since it was the end of a working day. We arrived in Barrie around 6 pm, found our hotel, and picked up supper. Long day, crossing many time zones. On Friday, we left the hotel by 7 and headed west, saw that the leaves were a range of colours.

We stopped for gas a couple of times, and arrived at the Travelodge in Marathon at 6 pm. Andy called Gerry Ferguson, and we met him at the Tim Horton’s, as the Legion isn’t open on Friday nights- had a good catch up with him. On Saturday we were both up before 4 am, and left the hotel just after 6, although it was dark out, we were travelling roads that the driver knew very well, having grown up in Marathon, so I wasn’t concerned. We stopped for gas in Nipigon, and once we got to TBay, Andy dropped me off at Teresa and Maureen’s for a visit, while he took our refurbished props to McKellar marine. He picked me up, and we were off again. Originally we had planned to stay with Teresa and Maureen, but because our sleeping habits were out of wack, we decided to head home and to our own bed. We fueled up in Dryden, and arrived at our apartment in Winnipeg at 5:30. We unpacked the car, and I started some laundry. It was great to be home, after being away 26 days. Our Ireland trip was great, highlights were finding some links to Andy’s ancestors, the Irish people that were so very helpful, the castles and ruins, the fresh seafood however I didn’t like the narrow roads, and lack of parking in the cities, and all the walking. It was tough to select pictures for this blog, I think we took well over 500 pictures between us– so there was lots that we saw on the Emerald Island. The captain is already talking about our next adventure, which may involve a canal boat somewhere in the U.K.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!