Ireland 2025: Day Eight, Sweet Parting

 

Parting is sweet sorrow, and that's what we have to do today. 

We say good bye to Willie, Debbie and Annie today. 

They'll fly out of Dublin for home later this afternoon. 

Bill and I will stay an extra day because we are retired and don't have to show up for work on Monday morning. 

What an incredible week-plus this has been!

Perfect weather in Ireland . . . every day!

Miles and miles of bucolic beauty. 

Hikes, museum visits, great meals, fun meetings with friends, old and new. 

And, a family experience to treasure for years to come. 

Yesterday we traveled back to Northern Ireland and drove along the northeast coast, which is just as beautiful as the southwest or northwest coast, etc. 

It's hard to find ugly in Ireland. 

We had a few of our usual Border Collie sightings, including Lass yesterday at the grounds of the Giant Causeway hotel. 

BTW:  I also enjoyed a call from Sandpoint yesterday when Janice Schoonover from Western Pleasure Guest Ranch was a bit shocked that I was talking to her from faraway Ireland. 

We also had a "small world" experience on the trail to the Rope Bridge, high over the Irish Sea.  

Neither Bill nor I walked the bridge (he's done it before; I'll never do it with my fear of heights).  

The kids took the trek, and though it made Debbie a little nervous, she went over and came back. 

Anywho, I was walking back toward the parking lot, a group walked past and someone yelled, "Go, ZAGS!" 

He had seen my ZAGS hat, and, of course, that prompted a conversation.  Turns out one member of the group has Bonners Ferry roots---the McAvoy family.  

Twas fun telling her that Bill and I had lived just across the country road from her Sandpoint relatives. 

Then, to make the visit more fun, her hubby said he knew of my cousins' family, the Skelton's.  

Some of this group resides in the Tri-Cities and some proudly said they graduated from Pasco High School, like my cousins. 

Last night we ate dinner at Atrim, which is on the way back to Dundalk where we are staying. 

I want to give a shout out to Raymond and Emma who own the townhouse where we are staying.  It's beautifully laid-out with a tasteful display of art, and we have felt very comfortable in this home away from home. 

Looking forward to another walk on the Curragh near Kildare and a visit to the Irish National Stud where there should be some paddocks alive with baby foals. 

It will be a nice way to end our trip, and, of course, saying hello to Beata and Caroline at Silken Thomas where we'll spend our last night. 

It's been another wonderful adventure in what we all consider our second home country.  Right now, it looks more appealing than ever. 

I'll let readers figure out why!

Enjoy the photos. 

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These toilets cost 20 pence per person.  

They cleaned themselves after each person but the hand-washing water ran while we relieved ourselves but turned off when it was time to wash our hands. 

People come up with some creative ways to have a wedding.  

This was a portion of the festivities yesterday on the farm across the parking lot from a castle we visited. 

I don't know the details, but I knew that some of the wedding party came from Dallas, Tex. 

I also figure the farmer has come up with a plan, creating wagon and seating for the wedding party.  

The scene took us back about 24 years when Willie and Debbie's wedding party was transported through town in a trailer pulled by our old Ford tractor. 

In yesterday's case, it appeared the a good time was being had by all with these wedding activities they probably will never forget.