Robin Tyler: Ireland

Last fall I decided to take a trip to somewhere I'd never been before. I did a little research and decided to go to Ireland. After contacting a local travel agency the trip was booked. It would be a 7 day introduction to Ireland, July 2015. The months leading up to the trip gave me plenty of time to prepare for the trip, however keeping my grandson 4 days a week evidently took its toll on my planning capabilities. Leaving the states and arriving in Ireland I realized I was 'not' prepared. When I had gone by the travel agency to pick up my travel documents, and receive information to make my trip go smooth, my grandson was asleep. I called ahead and asked the travel agent to meet me outside in 100 degree heat and hand me the documents. The short stop to get documents was not an adequate amount of time for the travel agent to go over all the details, but I felt I could handle it. I took the papers and left. Not until I was on the plane to Ireland, did I finally finish reading the documents. Was I ever not prepared!! (God takes care of those who do not know how to take care of themselves)

Ireland welcomed me into their beautiful country, even with my lack of preparation. The tour guide was patient with me the first couple days, until I worked out all the problems I created by not reading my documents. For my first trip alone to a foreign country, everything went great. My trip was blessed because of women I met from Tennessee, and one woman from my home state Arkansas. We hit it off when we stepped off the bus at the first hotel. I felt a kindred spirit with these ladies. They felt like home. They felt like family. I never would've thought such good friends could be found while visiting a foreign country. I so hope we can go on another trip together some day.

I had hoped to find some fabric in Ireland to make a quilt with. The only thing I found close to fabric was woven wool. My hopes of making a quilt from Ireland materials did not happen. However, I had a great time. Here are some of the things we did while touring Ireland:

1. Went to see the Book of Kells at Trinity College Library in Dublin

2. The old library at Trinity College Library in Dublin

3. We had a banquet at Bunratty Castle, County Clare

4. Saw the Irish National Stud in Kildare, whose breeding fee is $100,000+, and most of his foals sell over $1,000,000.

5. Rock of Cashel, County Tipperary

6. The 668 foot Cliffs of Moher

7. Galway seaside tour (beautiful)

8. An active working sheep farm and tea at 150 year old traditional farmhouse with a thatched roof.

9. A drive around the Ring of Kerry, which was a 100 mile panoramic drive along the southwestern tip of Ireland.

10. A drive to Blarney, County Cork, to make an important stop at the magical kissing stone. Those who kiss it are suppose to be blessed with eloquent speech (it works!!)

11. A tour of Waterford Crystal.

12. Avoca, where we went to Ireland's oldest hand weaving mill (but no quilt fabric).

13. Glendalough, the site of a very early Christian monastic site. This place was beautiful. It was founded in the 6th century.

Whew! It was a lot to see in a short amount of time, but I wouldn't have done it any different. For a first time trip to Ireland I think it was definitely the trip to take. It was a lot of beautiful miles. I would highly recommend Ireland!

A little trivia.... Who knew the national symbol of Ireland was a harp?