I am so happy to say that I will be returning to the great country of Ireland in late June of this year! I have not been there in 36 years..wow, that pains me to even type those words! I did live there for several months when I was 5 years old, and those were the best memories of my childhood! I returned at the age of 12 but things had already changed, as I had lost my Grandfather, the old cottage was gone and Ireland already began to modernize.
Returning will be bittersweet as we have lost more of our wonderful Irish clan, my two beloved Uncles passed in the last few years and they were the true characters of Ireland! Nonetheless, I want my girls to see and experience the land that I loved and where I spent some of my best days as a child. We will be staying around the Ring of Kerry this time and will briefly visit Birr and Tullamore to see family. I cannot wait!
Here are a few of my very favorite spots that I still remember from my childhood. Erin Go Bragh and may the luck of the Irish grace all of you this fine day!
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| The favorite photo of myself on the left and my sister Lisa, already a big dog lover!! |
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| I loved Birr Castle, I pretended that I owned it as my sister and I ran a muck throughout it's ground! |
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| Birr is such a quaint town! My Mom would actually hitch hike with us as she didn't drive and we would always find a lift to town, can you imagine that happening here!! Once there, we would go straight away to get a vanilla soft cone with a Flake bar stuck right in the middle of it, just like the one below that I was thrilled to find in London! |
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| Although my grandfathers house is gone I was happy to find one very much like it online and this one is in Fivealley, N. Birr just where my grandfathers was! |
Another tid bit about Birr is was featured in the wonderful Oscar Nominated Philomena!
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Do make it a point to visit Ireland , you wont be sorry I promise!
Credits: The Relished Roost, Wikipedia, Birrcastle |
You are quite the globe trotter! It looks beautiful - I've never been but would love to. It will be so fun for you to go back to the places you remember from when you were little!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful photo of you and your sister. We haven't been to Birr yet, will add it to our list for our next trip. The picture of my Uncle Mick is in front to the then-barn - it was originally the house my grandmother was born in. My Dad's cousins still run the family farm on Ballinakilla Rd. When you're visiting the Ring of Kerry be sure to go to Rossbeigh, the beach at Glenbeigh. It's one of the most beautiful ones in Ireland.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the tip!! will definitely check it out!! I will ask my Mother is she know your family's area!
DeleteHi Karolyn! What sweet memories u have! I never visited Ireland, unfortunately but it would be my dream! The pic of u and ur sis is utterly sweet! Happy St Patrick's Day dear, kisses! xo
ReplyDeleteYou and your sister are so cute! Looks like your passport is getting used this year.
ReplyDeleteYes it is, we havent travelled in quite a while and figured soon the girls will never want to travel with us!! So making them do it now! LOL
DeleteI have never been so can't wait to see pictures! Have a wonderful time!
ReplyDeleteOh, how wonderful, Karolyn. What an adorable photo of you and your sister. I didn't know that you had lived in Ireland. My mother's family is Irish and we also have some Irish on my father's mostly English side. I've never been to Ireland, though. Mr. H and I are planning our next big trip and Ireland is in the running, I have to say that today I am very tempted to travel to the Emerald Isle. Have you read any of the Jan Karon books? There is a wonderful one where Father Tim goes to Ireland to find his Irish roots - it's a charming story.
ReplyDeleteHappy Monday and Happy St. Paddy's day.
I need to get that book! I only read the depressing ones like Angela's ashes, although I do think I will watch the Quiet Man today for a little Irish humor!
DeleteWhat wonderful pictures and how lucky that you are going back! This is one place I have not been but funny just this morning I was talking to my trainer about it and she wants to plan a girls trip, there is a tour that you get to see much of the coast via horseback! She thought it would make such a fun girls trip (for those into riding like me:) I have always wanted to go......my grandmother and aunt went a few years ago and could not stop raving....one day hopefully soon! I will know just who to ask when I do:)
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely post... Ireland is on our bucket list!! Happy Saint Patrick's Day!
ReplyDeleteXOXO,
The Glam Pad
One day I'll get to Ireland! It is where much of my family is from, but so long ago we have no actual connections anymore.
ReplyDeleteMy grandfather was Irish. I never met him though, as he died before I was born! Enjoy your visit.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Love love, Andrew. Bye.
Thank you so much for stopping by Andrew!
DeleteWhat beautiful images and I adore your picture with your sister - so precious! It's definitely on my bucket list!!
ReplyDeletewoh so cool!! lovely pictures. your sister and you look so precious!
ReplyDeleteWe look like little 70's chicks with our knit vests!!Thanks!
DeleteI love your and your sister's little outfits! So cute. Haha the thought of a mother hitch hiking with her two young daughters would be the beginning of a horror film in the US. Sad that it's that way. Certainly looks to be a bucolic and idyllic setting for childhood. Glad you were old enough to remember!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful! I also posted of my Irish roots and visits today. What a great experience that you got to live there for a short time! Have a blast in the Ring of Kerry! We got to bring the kids in 2011 and it was so memorable for them to meet my relatives. They live all over, but some are on the btm of the ring on Valencia Island...beautiful!! Enjoy a 99 for me (i don't know if thats what they still call the ice cream and flake...i think it's b/c it used to be 99 cents.) Slainte!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh...you were adorable! What a great experience...
ReplyDeleteI loved this post and now Ireland is on my travel bucket list. My niece just returned yesterday and loved it! You would have made birr castle look FAB! Thanks of sharing, what beautiful roots. Travel is always so inspiring. Xo
ReplyDeleteThat is so neat you lived there for a few months when you were younger, I bet it was a beautiful place to live and visit! Hope you are having a great St. Patrick's Day!
ReplyDeleteLauren,
http://www.atouchofsoutherngrace.com/
How wonderful that you get to take your girls, Karolyn! Gorgeous photos, and so sweet of you and your sister! You need to pop over and check out the post Lisa @ Shine Your Light did today! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy for you that you're getting to go 'home'. Enjoy every minute!
ReplyDeletexo
Sharon
I adore that pic of you and your sis! How exciting to be able to visit after all these years!
ReplyDeleteBoth my parents were born in Ireland and I still have over twenty cousins there. I am on Facebook with them so it is great that we can keep in contact.
ReplyDeleteEileenn