The Homeland

Last month, the little lady and I headed across the pond to Ireland to visit family and friends, drink lots of Guinness, see the sights, and catch a U2 concert. We arrived in Dubllin (advice - do not fly through Toronto airport), rented a car, and drove up to the North. Fortunately, Cherilyn slept for most of the drive up, and didn't have to experience the sheer horror of my driving on the left hand side of the road. We stayed with my Great Aunt Val in Coleraine, and also had a chance to see my Uncle Willie and Aunt Valerie. We toured the Antrim coast, stopping off at locations such as the Giant's Causeway, Dunluce Castle, the Musenden Temple & Downill Estate, and the Bushmills Whiskey Distillery.

Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge


Mussenden Temple


Dunluce Castle


We then headed down to Dublin, and stayed with our good friends Victoria and John in their new home. We had a wonderful time with them, and they were quite the hosts. One day we were total tourists and took a double decker bus tour of Dublin. I have visited that city a least six times, and I think I learned more about its history in one day, than all the other trips combined. The bus also stopped at the Guinness brewery, allowing us to take the brewery tour and sample some of the divine dark nectar. Mmm...there is nothing like Guinness in Ireland. The last night, we went to the second U2 show at Croke Park (more to come on that later) and then flew back the next day.

Fresh Guinness at the Gravity Bar