The American Triangle, Ireland, Part 3

Let me take a step back to our day of imbibement. Tanner and I had planned to go to Cork on Sunday and so prepared accordingly by going to the station to purchase advance tickets. We strolled into the station near our B&B, and the one we would leaving from the next morning for our island tour, and went to the ticket window. I asked politely for tickets to Cork and he goes, no trains running on Sunday. Oh, really?

Why's that, I asked. And he proceeded to point to a poster on the wall behind us that stated, "Strike" and listed out the multiple dates which said strike would take place. I looked at the guy somewhat incredulously and decided to just call it a day. Some things are just so different outside of the states. Planned strikes? Days in advance? Printed on a poster? Ooooook then.

I walked out defeated, knowing I wouldn't see Cork, the Blarney Stone or the Castle and then cheered up as I was met by a much more fun poster outside of the station: RIVERDANCE, 20th ANNIVERSARY PERFORMANCES.

Um. Oh. Em. Gee. Breathless Becca. This show, the one first shown to my 10 year old's eyes on PBS, was what catapulted me into my love of Celtic and Irish culture. What a sign, literally! I immediately looked up tickets for Sunday's performances and after slight pressure from me, Tanner agreed to go. How serendipitous, I nearly cried right there (but I didn't...I reserved the tears for the actual show, not joking. The feels, I had them.).

Spring forward to Sunday morning and we were able to enjoy another full Irish breakfast, nice and relaxing. We then walked to Kilmainham Gaol a mile away after passing through the gardens of the Museum of Modern Art.

MoMA

Very cool plaza, not unlike the Louvre!

The gaol (jail) was full of very fascinating stories. The last time it was used was for the Irish Revolution and how those men were treated was eye-opening considering they had TWO cells, one which was a sitting room with a fireplace and a serving man where they could bring their own home furniture to lounge in. Sweet treatment! Dublin has done a good job of maintaining the structure and sharing its history so Tanner and I really enjoyed the tour.

Can you name the movie that was filmed here? It's a smidge obscure. Hint: Daniel Day Lewis starred and it was nominated for several Academy Awards.

After wrapping up there, we headed to lunch with a few detours for "exploration time". With a quick refreshing change at the B&B we made our way, walking, to the theater near Grafton Street. How perfect once again that I was getting to see St. Stephen's Green unplanned as well as Grafton Street, made famous to me by Flogging Molly.

After the opening number my eyes filled with tears as I recalled the first time I ever watched it on PBS. It was both hilarious, because of it's absurd attire and "acting", and also TOTALLY AWESOME. I had a blast. And if you're wondering whether or not the famed sequined shirt was present, you betcha it was! The lead guy was no Michael Flatley, but he did a damn fine job trying.

The show wrapped and we left to wander down Grafton Street and see the park. Our last day on vacation, last day abroad, last day to potentially find the ONE souvenir I was most wanting. I had pretty much given up hope at this point that I would find the ring that I wanted. London was a bust considering I couldn't even find a jewelry shop. Edinburgh showed promise at one shop but they didn't have my size so I moved on. Inverness held few shops and shoes ended up being my souvenir from here. Dublin was last. My desires were simple, I felt...simple gold band emblazoned with some element of celtic culture. Surely this couldn't be so difficult, I said to myself when we first embarked on this trip. I was wrong.

But the universe knew what was up. Firstly, the strike which left us abandoned in Dublin on our last day. Secondly, the location of the theater and timing of the show...20th anniversary? For anyone that knows me knows numbers, and celebrations surrounding numbers, get me every time. Thirdly, the fact that the theater was located near Grafton Street which I had intended to visit when first considering the trip but never planned it properly once the plans settled.

We walked lazily down the street to the park and lo and behold, a jewelry shop, sitting idly on the corner across from the park. I looked in the window and liked what I saw. I'll run right in real quick just to see, I told Tanner. Less than five minutes later, I was the proud owner of what has now become my favorite souvenir of our trip abroad. Good thing I planned for this ring because it was the only ring I got while on said trip, much to the dismay of my girlfriends. Also to their dismay, a posted picture which confused them profoundly questioning whether or not we had gotten engaged. Poor girls, they are so mad at Tanner.

The one true ring.

I still wear this ring nearly daily, even though I used to swear up and down that I hated and subsequently would never wear gold. Having the moment in the shop and then enjoying the last of the beautiful weather in Dublin really rounded out our trip. We enjoyed one last pub and one last pint that evening before returning home to pack and prepare for our early flight home.

Ultimately, I think we're both most impressed with the following facts:
1) There was only one unsettling fight that lasted only a brief amount of time
2) Only two mishaps at a train station (the first being the far more costly and the second ultimately providing cost savings)
3) While all cities rained the day we left them, we only once got rained ON in Dublin our first evening there
4) We traveled really well together and were already excited about future trips to plan

While we were exhausted by the end, we both thoroughly enjoyed every country for each of the experiences we had there and each of the events or places we visited and learned about. Epic trip, completed.

Epilogue:
We landed in Houston and immediately drove out to Milo's foster Nana and mama's house to get him. We missed him so incredibly much and were beyond thrilled to have him back to hug attack and wrestle with. Life happiness, ongoing and awesome.

Also, check out this sweet collage I made.

The American Triangle, Ireland, Part 2

Our first morning in Dublin we made sure to tell our B&B hosts that we were heading down for a full Irish breakfast, which I failed to mention yesterday. It was awesome. Eggs, sausage, beans (my personal favorite), bacon, mushrooms (for Tanner, not me), tomatoes and toast. D-e-licious! Our second morning we had to leave extraordinarily early so we snuck downstairs in the dark, grabbed some yogurt from the fridge and were on our way to the train station for our tour of the countryside.

Tired and happy faces.

We boarded the train for our first leg of the journey and watched the city slowly disappear and the quaint villages come alive. Travelling by train really is fantastic. Outside of the very, very dirty backpacker sitting near us that smelled atrociously (hey fella, baby wipes can be your new BFF) it was calm, quiet, cozy and the scenery was beautiful. There were several stops planned for this trip and we knew we'd be away from Dublin until close to 10PM. Talk about a long day!

After hopping off the train, we were picked up by charter bus for our first destination: Bunratty Castle. With floors, walls and windows dating over 500 years old, the place was stunning. I am in awe just knowing that feet from generations past stomped these floors, were in that dungeon, took these winding stairs. We learned a few neat things about castles like how the stairs were always circular because if they were invaded the army coming up had their right arm (fighting arm) blocked and the home base army had theirs free to swing. Clever, right?

Mind you, those stairs were TIGHT. How on earth did men and women in the clothes they are depicted in pictures wearing make it everywhere???

Old and still beautiful.

Irish flag on ramparts we watched!

The whole village next to the castle has been kept up and currently houses adorable shops. 

After spending a few hours here, we boarded the bus again and headed for lunch! Guinness stew, here I come!

It did NOT disappoint. Perhaps best stew ever*!

With our bellies full, and a quick stop to the local chocolate shop (YUM!) we were back on the bus and headed to the Cliffs of Moher!

Look at that handsome man.

The colors all looked fake, the entire thing was mesmerizing and even our tour guide was in awe because he said the weather was typically overcast, cloudy, foggy, rainy and cold or some combination thereof. Thank you, travel gods, for this gift!

After making it across the entire island, coast to coast, we were through exploring and were back to the train station to catch our ride home. It ended up being really enjoyable as we had already started chatting with another couple on the tour and it turned out they were from Dallas! We spent the entire train ride chatting about books, Dublin and their trip so far (she'd had food poisoning for 4 days of it!!!) and their jobs and life back home.

We strolled home from the station and promptly went to bed. The next day had turned into another Dublin exploration day, story to follow as to why, which worked in our favor as we wouldn't have otherwise been able to visit Kilmainham gaol.