Ireland, Oh Ireland!

After we spent a few days in and around Killarney, and visiting "The Blarney Castle" where I might add I kissed the "blarney stone," which if you have been there, you are aware that it is no small feat. You almost have to stand on your head, and of course need assistance to accomplish this. I had made reservations for us to go horseback riding through the "Gap of Dunloe." It was a beautiful ride, but it took over 4 hrs. which I am sure you can imagine, became rather uncomfortable. It was absolutely lovely, and eventually our saddle sores faded. We then started North West to "Dingle Peninsula," it is one of the most beautiful places in the world, and we were very fortunate to see the Peninsula when it was relatively virgin land. In 1970 while Lee was in Viet Nam, a movie called "Ryan's Daughter" was filmed there on the Peninsula. After I saw that movie I promised myself I would one day go to Ireland to see this beautiful landscape. Since we first visited the Peninsula there have been many houses built there, the land was purchased by residents of Germany, France, and U.S. citizens as well, for summer homes, and it has changed the personality of the once wide open spaces, and beautiful, breath taking views. We stopped in Tralee along the way which is a lovely, typical Irish town. While we were there I noticed a flyer which advertised Irish dancing, admission was by donation. It was a lot of fun, and really "show cased" some of their traditions. After the dancing, various residents of the town stepped up after their talents were requested, and sang familiar Irish songs. Our journey continued towards Galway which is a lovely more rugged area, with a rocky coast. This is also the area where the beautiful Connemara Pony originated, we were fortunate to see many of these beautiful animals while driving through the area. As we traveled up the west coast of Ireland and north of Galway, Lee asked me if I really wanted to go to the North of Ireland to visit the young couple we met on the ferry. I was elated, and reaffirmed my interest in visiting our new found friends. We crossed from the south into the north without incident. The British soldiers waved us through just as Clive told us they would. It was rather intimidating however, since the soldiers who were stationed along the border were armed with automatic weapons. We just kept our eyes straight ahead and drove right through. We had a lovely meal with Hazel & Clive, and there was no lack of conversation. Hazel is a math teacher, she is very educated and interested in everything. Clive worked for a company called John Player which sells tobacco products. At that time they both were very heavy smokers.
Hazel told me later that her mother was quite upset with her to bring strangers in to their home, and Americans at that. It did not take long for us to win her over, and we have laughed about it over the years. While we were at Hazel's our girls became friends with some of the neighborhood teenagers. On the day we left Northern Ireland one of the boys gave our oldest daughter the flag of Northern Ireland which is the orange flag. The Orange flag is associated with the Protestants. At that time the conflict between the IRA and the British was still going on, the year was 1979. About a week after we left Northern Ireland the young boy was shot and killed in an incident with the British. Our daughter still has that flag, over thirty years later. We headed south towards Dublin, our vacation drawing to a close. Ireland is a beautiful country. This was the first of many visits to this place, this place of my forefathers. When we first arrived in Ireland I was impressed with how much the people resembled some of my own relatives, it was uncanny. As we boarded the ferry bound from Dublin to England, It was like I had taken a walk back in time, I felt like I belonged, and I knew I'd be back again.
Goodnight Carol

We continue on our trip to Ireland, my dream come true

By the time Lee and I and the girls boarded the huge ferry, we lost track of the Irish family. The ferry boat had several levels, and we had no idea where the young couple was seated. After about 1 1/2 hrs into the trip, the girls and I decided to go for a little stroll to find some snacks. On our way back to where we had been sitting we passed by Hazel & Clive and the baby. I heard someone call my name, what a pleasant surprise to meet up with our new found friends. This was certainly a serendipitous reunion of sorts, and I am eternally grateful for it. The girls located Lee and brought him back so that we could all sit together. Actually, Lee was a little skeptical, I mean we just met these people, he said. I have always considered myself a good judge of people, and I had absolutely no qualms whatsoever about these people, and besides they're Irish! The baby started to get fussy and Hazel had nothing left to put in her bottle. I carried snacks and juice routinely in those days, as those products tended to be expensive to purchase in local stores. Our stock was pretty much depleted for the day, except for 1 small can of apple juice. Alison drank the juice without hesitation, even though her "mum" was a little leery about it. She had never put juice in the bottle before. The baby quickly settled down and went off to sleep, and Hazel was very grateful. Our journey was almost complete, and we would both go our separate ways. The Irish family would head North towards Belfast, and we were South bound. One of our first stops was the beautiful town of Killarney. Even back then, which is over 30 years, it was quite touristy, but it is a lovely place non the less. Before we separated, Hazel invited us "to take a meal" with them at their home, and we said our goodbyes. I was very pleased, and honored by the invitation to their home, but since they lived in the North of Ireland, Lee did not think it would be prudent for us to go there. Keep in mind that this was 1979 and Belfast, and the town where Hazel lived, Omagh were especially hot spots, and Lee was active duty in the U.S. Military. I was disappointed, but I certainly understood. However, Clive explained to Lee that the border crossing from the South to the North would not be a problem for us because were are Americans.
When we arrived at the Wexford landing, a middle age man approached us to ask for a ride into town. His name was Paddy O'Brien, and he had imbibed heavily in his favorite alcoholic beverage. He was harmless enough, we dropped him off in the middle of the town square. "Paddy" offered to show us around the City of Wexford, and the local sights. We thanked him, and then headed off to start yet another wonderful adventure. This was over 30 yrs, ago, and it was common at that time to offer a ride to someone who was stranded. This was done without fear of harm. In fact, many teenagers hitchhiked their way through Europe without incident, and have many stories of generosities bestowed upon them by the Europeans. My emotions caught me off guard as we landed in Ireland. My eyes filled with tears as we disembarked from the ferry, I felt a kinship with this country. It was as if I was coming home. This was the place my father's mother, Elizabeth was born, and loved. Here was a woman who in her late 30's had to abandon her mother country, and many family members as well. She set out on a voyage with other relatives, and friends to America to begin a new life, filled with hoped and dreams for a more prosperous life. Living in Ireland had been a terrible struggle, there was so much poverty, and no jobs, a bleak picture for the future, all of which contributed greatly to a mass exodus for many Irish families. , When I was a small child, my grandmother used to reminisce about Ireland and how beautiful it was. She sang Irish songs, one of her favorites was "I'll take you home again Kathleen." She married my grandfather in 1903 at the age of 40 and gave birth to 6 sons, she was 52 years old when her last child was born. When I was born in 1940, she was delighted, not only because I was a girl, but because I had bright red hair and bright blue eyes as well. She called me her little "chatterbox!" with her thick Irish brogue!
Goodnight for now, Carol