Island Fun

 

It's the Irish robin.  Such a pretty little thing. 

People often ask us if we having family in Ireland inspires us to visit so often.

Until this year, we've had to say no, adding that our ancestors came from Ireland.

Well, by golly, in 2024, we do have family in Ireland, and on this trip we've spent time with them.

The family living in Ireland happens to be two college sophomores, both Short family descendants.

On Monday we spent time in Cork with Aggie Sue, whose great-great grandmother Lily was a Short. 

Yesterday, Lizzy Short, a University of Galway exchange student (Georgetown in the U.S.) met us at the ferry to Inis Mor in the Aran Islands. 

So, the day had a double thrill:  getting to spend it with Lizzy and visiting places we've loved over the years while on the island. 

Unlike past years, when we've spent the night glamping in an ecopod next to the Atlantic Ocean, we had only the afternoon on the island.

We made the most of our time, taking a bus tour, hanging out and enjoying lunch, meeting other island visitors and convincing our tour bus guide Mike to pull into the assisted care facility so we could say hello to our friend Mary Ratcliffe.  

She's a nurse there, and the staff was happy to go alert her that company had come. We've become good friends with Mary and with Bridie who manages The Bar. 

Unfortunately, timing did not work out for us to see Bridie, but our brief reunion with Mary was a highlight of the day. 

We also met the Blakley family from Arizona--Kevin, Kari, Cole and Audrey.  Two lawyers, a retired teacher and a techie.

I told Kevin he looked like he could be a member of the Parkins family from Sandpoint.  He seemed quite pleased and a bit curious about the Parkins.

We've taken the island tours several times before, but yesterday's seemed to be a cut above past experiences.  I really don't know why except Mike was a lot of fun and we picked up a few new tidbits about the island with its fascinating history. 

For some reason yesterday I tuned in to the fact that all those rock fences happened because early inhabitants cleared the top layer of slab rock to make way for grazing areas for their cattle.  Once the layer was removed, it made sense to pile the rocks for fences. 

The farmers used seaweed and other organic material to create the grass. 

Bigger pastures resulted when there wasn't so much rock to remove.

We never tire of visiting the island, and to spend time with Lizzy who is studying archeology and Irish history (soon to start learning the language) provided an added bonus and an enjoyable experience. 

There's really no way to articulate the mood and the general feeling of a storied past that stay with you while visiting Inis Mor. 

It's a special place, and yesterday added one more special memory of our time spent there. 

We just wish we could have seen Bridie. 

Next time!

Today, Bill receives his 50th wedding anniversary present when we all go out on the boat with John and try to catch an Atlantic ocean lunker or two. 

Should be an amazing experience for both father and son, the anglers, if the weather cooperates.

As I post, it's not looking good with rain and wind forecast for the day. Ugh!

Happy Friday from Sharamore House in Clifden, Ireland. 

 

Mike and Kevin.

Mike, our tour guide, shows the island tour itinerary to Kevin, a retired lawyer from Arizona. 

Lizzy, Debbie, Mary and me. 

Twas an all too brief visit, but we were thrilled that we got to see our island friend Mary. 

On the ferry, headed to Inis Mor:  Bill, Lizzy, Debbie and Willie. 

 

Lizzy shares with Bill some tidbits she has learned about Celtic crosses. 

Good soup and bread on the island. 

We met Marcus who brought along his tunes while touring the island. 

New friends, the Blakley's from Arizona.  Their daughter Audrey, second left,  practices law in San Antonio.

Two years ago I left my ZAGS cap for display at The Bar.  It still hangs there.  Thanks, Bridie. 

Below:  all good times must end, and we had a really good time with Lizzy yesterday.  We said good bye at the ferry, and she boarded a bus back to Galway where she is attending the university there. 

Til next time, Lizzy.

💙💚💛💜

Finally:  Some of Sue's artistic and delectable dishes at Sharamore House in Clifden.

Thank you, Sue and John and Amanda for your wonderful hospitality and, of course, great food.