TSC Summer Expedition to Ireland September 6-14, 2013

The “Emerald Isle” countryside, filled with stone walls and castles, bright green fields with black and white Holstein cows and white sheep, was a visual feast and a fabulous history lesson for the 11 CLASC participants.

Mr. Tom Murphy was our skillful bus driver who navigated narrow roads while we coaxed him to sing Irish ballads and recite limericks. Tom pointed out a fairy fort and a fairy tree where fairies and leprechauns could be seen by those that believe. An amazing picture captured a bright light under the fairy tree. Sorry, it is forbidden to share the picture with the non- believers. We visited the national race horse stud farm, the pride of the Irish.

A visit to Killarney included Muckross House and Gardens. The Absolute Hotel in Limerick was absolutely beautiful and it did not take us long to locate a couple of neighborhood pubs with live Irish music that welcomed us in the evenings. During the day, 11 members of the CLASC joined up with 10 Dallas Ski Rangers to tour the Irish countryside for seven days on a comfortable bus.

Irish race studsTypical street scene

Muckross House

Powerscourt pond

The soft Irish weather (drizzle and fog) interfered once when fog enveloped the Cliffs of Moher. Our bus, delayed by a heard of healthy cattle moving from one field to the next, continued on to view the rocky coastline and cliffs of the Burren nearby.

The restored 1425 medieval Bunratty Castle, complete with dungeon, fueled our imaginations. Motoring on, we visited the popular coastal town of Galway described by Yeats as the Venice of the West.

The rocky Connemara region underscored the hard life of the Irish farmers under the 700 long years of English rule.

On day five it was time to leave the Western countryside for big-city Dublin, stopping en route at the Rock of Cashel, a castle atop a 200 foot outcrop of limestone. Continuing through the rural countryside towns we visited Kilkenny Castle, a 12th century restored castle set in extensive parklands.

Celtic cross and CashelVillage cafe

Bunratty

Ancient ruins dot the countryside

The Dublin city tour gave us the opportunity to visit Trinity College to see the ancient Book of Kells, an illustrated Bible manuscript. We toured St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and of course, stopped at the Guinness Storehouse for a free sample at the observation bar overlooking the city. Larry O’Willis is now a certified Guinness pour master, but alas, partaking of the pint is of no interest to him.

A day tour took us to the heavily wooded Wicklow Mountains and a view of 45 acres of one of the world’s most beautiful English gardens, Powerscourt Gardens.

We visited the small factory at Avoca to learn about the traditional Irish weavers and how each family had a unique knitting stitch that could be used to identify the clothing of fishermen drowned at sea and who later washed ashore. Mr. Murphy suggested a popular Dublin spot for dinner and a show of Irish dance and music - it was amazing.

St. Patrick’s

Powerscourt Castle PowerscourtPour Master

At THE Brewery

The Irish were so friendly and we learned so much about the tumultuous history of their country, its challenges and their independent spirit. One Texas cowgirl on the bus (Kathy O’Riggle) was even inspired to compose a limerick to bid Mr. Murphy farewell. When we departed, the McMiller’s, O’Herrin, McTravis, McTyrone, O’Muphy, O’Barousse, O’Riggle’s and O’Willis’s all left feeling of “the luck of the Irish” to have had such a trip!

The fields of the Connemara

Priscilla @ Kenmare Stone circle

Thelma & Deanna at Cashel

Priscilla, Jim, Ginger

Beth, Kathy, Larry, Thelma, Deanna

Todd & Kathy at Burratty

Sue and John

Beth at Ladies View

Todd & Kathy at Cashel

Dublin