Day One in Ireland

July 12, 2017

Once upon a time flying was fun, even glamorous. A full flight on Aer Lingus, back row of the jet right in front of the galley. Even if I were able to sleep on a plane, sleep would have been impossible with the continuous slamming of the doors in the galley literally the entire time. It never stopped. The meal was served and after that was done, there was 90 minutes left in the six hour hop from BOS to SNN.

Sleepless we emerged to a bright morning at 6:30, cleared immigration and customs and were hustled immediately onto our parade of buses. Bus #2 with Seamus and Norman. Seamus is from the Dingle peninsula of Co Kerry. Norman is from Co. Tyrone in “the north of Ireland.” The interplay between these two would sparkle every day we were together.

Off to the Cliffs of Moher.

Tour groups are canned and inevitably will take

you to the must see places of your destination, whether worth seeing or not. Who defines must see is unknown. Fodor lists Cliffs of Moher in its list of “overrated” sights. It notes the enormous gift shop desgined so that you cannot get to the cliffs without a trip through the multi-euro visitor center/gimme more. Ireland does have a marvelously rugged and dramatic coastline.

The seabirds kited and called all along the cliffs. Like just about everything else, this once was private land and the playground of wealthy nobility. This photo of friend Elissa shows the cliffs and the scale of the people atop the bluff in the distance.

Time being up, we were back on the bus to head to our hotels. However we were early so the rooms were not yet ready. We went to the town of Ennis, a charming small place that is about as typical as any small Irish town could be.

Ennis in the 14^th Century was the home of a large friary of nearly 1000 friars and students. The ruins are still stunning.

Ennis

I enjoyed my first pub food there and then walked around town in search of a second outlet adaptor. Then off to the OakWood Hotel midway between Ennis and :Limerick.

We will not comment on hotel accommodations during this tour. Not worth the ink. When you are on a tour you get the deal that was best for the tour organizer. They all tried. Food was bland, either hake or some red meat. Every supper ended with a trio of little cakes/tarts/balls of three different colors. Coffee or tea.

 

Slept.