Our Ireland Adventure

I didn't think a greener place existed than where I live in Oregon.
But alas, I have discovered that there is grass that actually glows neon green in a country far away: Presenting Ireland. 

Green....and lots of sheep. 

John was asked to teach at a European summer school conference for work in Dublin at the end of August. We were able to align this trip with our annual Chicago trip; kid-free exploring Ireland?!!...was there any other answer except YES!?!

We got to planning.


It's always a challenge to try to map out where to stay and what to do in a place you've never been.

We always know that our vacations will include a lot of coffee stops.

However, we took our chance with the reviews and pictures online and  booked our hotels, mapped out our agenda and hoped that everything would work out.

Overlooking a perfect little Irish town; it kind of reminds me of  Mr. Rogers Neighborhood!

And it did!

 Everything was so perfect; every detail fell into place and we couldn't dream of better accommodations, weather or agenda.

People watching while eating lunch in the town of Galway. We scored the perfect little table outside.

The pubs and bars in Dublin were nestled amongst churches and  hanging flowers.  So charming.

What I found especially magical about Ireland was the medieval history that was tossed around the landscape. Crumbled rock piles of castles and towers lay in ruin among the farm land and towns. Rock walls lined the roadways; they stood the test of time, yet people seemed to drive right by them without giving much thought.

While driving along the roadway we passed this medieval  structure . 

Dungriere castle 

I loved that we were able to just stop on a whim. We pulled over and explored.

It is truly a magnificent sturdy stone structure.

The true beauty and magic of Ireland was in the countryside and small towns. We rented a car and John managed quite well driving on the opposite side of the road in the opposite side of the car.

The narrow roads, confusing round-abouts and intersections added to our adventure. Many times he had to speak aloud his intentions for turning so his natural instincts wouldn't take over on the road.

We stopped in the most beautiful little towns; they are as charming as their names: Galway, Kilkenny, Tipperary, Cashel, Limerick...
 Yes, there is a town called Limerick!☘😃😃😃
More important than even the food to me was where we could get an available outdoor table to people watch on the streets.

I'll never forget brunch in Galway (yes, my pomegranate mimosa was quite a treat); however, the street musicians and our table in the midst of it all was a moment I will never forget.

And the avocado toast!

Wandering through Galway we came to a little church called St. Nicholas. Apparently, Christopher Columbus attended mass here; supposedly it was here in which he was inspired to again petition the King and Queen of Spain to voyage West, convinced there was more "out there."

Christopher Columbus really got around!

One of the reasons we decided to drive west to Galway was to see the cliffs of Moher. We didn't know how lucky we were to see them on a clear day! Many people told us how foggy they usually were and how poor the visibility.

Breathtaking beauty

There were signs all over the place warning people of the eroding, unstable ledge areas. John and I were amazed at how many people we observed straying off the paths to capture the perfect pictures on the edges of rocks.

Apparently at least two people a year fall off the side to their death; what people will do to capture the perfect selfie!

John and I were careful as we walked along the edge. The evening was unbelievable.

We did find the perfect rock edge to take our perfect picture :) 

After seeing the cliffs, our next stop was the Rock of Cashel. This medieval castle was built in 300. 

This structure has lived through so much of Ireland's history. It was a castle but was mostly a church after it was gifted to the church in 1101. 

It is recorded that St. Patrick baptized King Aengus here in AD 432 and thus he became Ireland's first Christian ruler.  

Wandering around this magnificent structure I was careful to observe all the detail.

 For example, the faces carved into the ceiling and pillars were so detailed, and I was amazed that they could very well be the true faces  of the people who lived here during this medieval time period. 

This face in the corner was the most well preserved carving in the castle. It was faced away from the  path of the wind. 

 

Walking in the grave yard, I'm always struck by the brevity of our existence and our dot in time and history. 

We stayed the night in the surrounding city of Cashel. Our accommodations was  at a little family run inn, established in 1709. Compared to the history we learned about that day, 1709 didn't seem so long ago.  

Bailey's Hotel

Our room was perfect; we even had a view of the castle from our window in the distance.

 We strolled the little streets of Cashel. 

After sunset, we happened upon some old churches and even walked in the graveyard.  

I love how the parts of the old medieval structures are blended with the new. 

The next day we left Cashel and drove to Cahir, a recommendation from a friend. Cahir castle was another beautiful medieval structure. Our tour guide educated us on its long history of defense and survival throughout the ages. Two cannon balls from the siege of 1599 are still lodged in its stone walls.

An overcast day in the town of Cahir

Cahir castle provided protection and order for the city

These solid walls were hard to penetrate

Walking along the cobblestone path, I imagined all the people who walked this same road before me

One of the cannon balls still lodged in the wall from 1599

Our final day was spent here, back in Dublin:

Our final night, thanks to John's work ;) 

John's conference was in this beautiful hotel.  :)

I spent our final morning roaming around solo while John impressed his team with his insights and instruction.
I have to say, I was very proud of him. AND GRATEFUL...so grateful that we were able to take this trip together.
Ireland exceeded all my expectations.
It really couldn't have been any better.

Yep, Guinness and Champagne. It works and it was delicious. 

CHEERS!

The First Day of School!

                                 The day started out with giant pancakes and too much maple syrup.

 It was the first day of school for everyone, and it was truly a time for feasting and celebrating a new season in life!

We had breakfast at The Original Pancake House

John and I mingled with all the other families waiting outside that first day of school. When the time came for them to line up and file into the school building, we waved to our kids as they marched into the building and out of our sight.
They waved back at us with their crooked backpacks and big, excited smiles.
 And then they were gone.

All smiles for 2nd grade!

"Bye Mom!"

All around us Moms dabbed at their red eyes with tissue.
John and I turned to each other, "High five." Our hands met in the air;  another parent cheered for us.

Love these guys

I have to admit that if I completely let my guard down I could have shed a tear in that moment.
I had just sent all my kids off to elementary school.
From now until they leave our home as adults, they will always be subject to a school routine and calendar.
 It's a big life change. But a necessary one.

It is certainly a milestone and this changes life for us.
However, I. am. ready. 

The last five years...seven years...have been A LOT.

Evie  3 year old preschool class

Three Kinders and a 2nd grader!

I think back to those long, unstructured days of surviving...trying to pass the time amongst bottles, and diapers and piles of toys that light up and make sounds.

We are all smiles here on the outside... Inside, I was a ball of anxiety. 

We've been through so much.

So many days and hours of being consumed by these little humans.

By the end of this summer, there was tension in the air.
 It was a tension of expansion; a tension of readiness for the next thing. I could feel it  building and pulling...there was nothing left to offer these growing, inquisitive children of mine.
 It was time for them to launch into school.
  Oh was it time.
We plodded  through those final days of summer with the viscosity of asphalt. 

As John and I drove away that first school day in a quiet car, he said that he felt like we were doing something bad.
I agreed.
 Logically, the feeling was ridiculous: We were leaving our school aged children at one of the best private, Christian schools in the area with loving teachers and friends. 
However, we couldn't shake the feeling.

Perhaps it was guilt that life suddenly felt too good and too easy. 
We came home to a quiet house. Yes, there was work to be done; but, without the constant demand and chaos of the kids, everything was simple.
I cleaned up the kitchen and did some laundry.
John had a break in his day with his business calls, and we went on a run together.
 I was energetic.
I told John that I felt like everyone who passed me in their cars was smiling at me.
It was so different from yesterday when I was in Fred Meyer and I felt like everyone looked on at me with pity.
 The world was full of sunshine.
 I was in an impenetrable bubble of joy.

However, the day went fast, and before I knew it I was picking up my four tired children from school.

That first post school afternoon was rough. The kids were exhausted and overwhelmed, whether they admitted it or not.
We passed the time until dinner and then an early bedtime.

 I believe that this next season is going to be the best season for our family. I feel like I am going to be in a better head space personally and have a better life balance.
As a Mom, I have offered them everything that I can give them, and it's time for them to move on.

I believe that John and I will enjoy a sweet season of reconnection together.
I know my kids will learn and thrive in their school environment and with their friendships.
My heart is so happy.