My Princess Grace

One of the rooms near us called the "Princess Grace". Michelle is my little Princess Grace (most days... :) )

Our inside joke.

Well, this may be the last entry as we are packing and flying back tomorrow. We get home late - 9-10pm'ish.

Thanks for reading.

Michelle and Rodney "Jackson"

Trinity College _ Book of Kells

We didn't do much today. Visited the Book of Kells, walked through Stephen Green Park, visited several museums: Art and History. Spent a few times in our "special" room drinking tea and eating crumpets (sp).

Here right now for some light snacks as we may head out to the pub, Foley's for a little music and food.

Our feet hurt from all the walking.

Hello, Mister Jackson

Yes, I've become Mr. Jackson at the hotel, but I'll accept it for now. Too hard to explain to them that Michelle booked the room long before we were married, etc. Probably too confusing to have to explain it. Therefore, you may call me, Mr. Rodney Jackson, at least for a few days.

Hope you like this photo. After dinner we came up to our room to find these swans made out of towels on our bed with flower petals all over the room.

And of course, more chocolate.

We are getting spoiled.

Today, Saturday we're heading up to Trinity college and museums in our vacinity.

:)

Treated like a King & Queen

The folks at The Shelbourne continue to amaze and surprise us. Today we came home to a plate of goodies for our Honeymoon. Yummy....

We're off to dinner and then plan to come back up to the "special" place for some sweets. If we don't fall asleep we'll walk down to the Foley Bar and have a pint and listen to some music.

Tomorrow we'll visit the Book of Kells (sp) and several museums in the area and plan our trip to the airport sunday morning. Most likely a taxi to the bus station and then bus to the airport. Much cheaper that way.

Need to grab a book or two for the journey home as it is harder to sleep going back since it is daytime the entire way.

We also saw St. Patrick Cathedral, but we were more impressed by the Christ Church Cathederal.

Well, off for now with more tomorrow to conclude our journey.

Thanks for reading

Kilmainham Gaol (Prison)

The top 10 or so Irishman who lead the Easter Revolution in 1916 were kept here until executed. Kind of interesting and you learned more about their history.

I'm sure Michelle wanted to close the door and leave me inside.

Mecca

Yes, the glory of the city. Hey, Rich D - the tour is alot different than it was seven years ago and a lot more expensive. One cool addition was the "taste lab". They let you taste their new version called, "North Star". About the same, they say sweeter, but it seemed to have a little less of an aftertaste.

Top floor - 7th you can see all of Dublin is where the free pint is now located.

For Mum J

We thought this was interesting to see a familiar name at the Christ Church.

Church of Christ

Okay not a picture of the church, but thought this was funny. A mummified cat and mouse in the church.

Had a good day in Dublin today. Didn't get to see half of what we wanted since each place takes so much time so we are going to finish it tomorrow and skip going north. We saw plenty of countryside in Galway/Connemara so we thought we would take in Dublin.

Dublin Pubs

This is one of the many pubs we plan to visit during our few days here in Dublin. Michelle was enthrawled at the music and livliness of the crowd. It was a lot of fun. It was on Temple Bar Street in Dublin.

By the way we are back in the "special area" eating oysters, shrimp and wine while I dabble on the internet.

Life is so rough!!

By the way - sweets are coming up next. Oh do tell... I'm in chocolate heaven.

For Mum!

We almost could not stop laughing when we saw this place. In fact we started to drool at the thought of the fine bread we get from La Gondola in Decatur, IL, but alas, it was not to be. It is not the same, but still thought mum would enjoy.

Rodney and Michelle.

Five Star - Should I say more?

We are at the Shelbourne hotel in Dublin. It is a 5 Star hotel. We got here thanks to all of Michelle's award points from Home Depot. It is awesome. We were upgraded to the "card" only level thanks to Michelle telling everyone "We are on our honeymoon." Boy can she milk it or what?

I have access to free internet, but more importantly we get card access to a really cool room with boat loads of food all day long. Oye!! Not likely for us to be leaving here anytime soon.

Ireland Photos

These are from the first few days in the Galway and Connemara area. Some need to be rotated, and others need some Adobe touch ups, but we thought we would get some online to share.

Thanks!

Click link or cut/paste into browser address:

http://www.crackclimbing.com/ireland_one/album/index.html

Kylemore Abbey, Connemara Area

Photos fixed - This is Kylemore Abbey.

We visited the Connemara area today and passed through Cliften, and various other areas. We got loads of photos and saw things I have not seen on my previous trip to this area.

Today we visited the Kylemore Abbey now run by Nuns. It has a great garden with flowers still blooming.

Also, for my sister and her husband, we passed by the church you were married in. We didn't get to stop, but it was great to see it again.

All is well our way. The weather has been spectacular here. Our bus driver even dropped us off at our hotel so we didn't have to walk back from center city. Although tonight we plan to dine late and hang out in a pub for music and dance.

Off to Dublin we go on the morrow. We should arrive around 2pm our time. 9ish yours and plan to take some time to put more photos onlines if possible.

Friday we'll tour Dublin and Saturday up to the north for another castle visit.

And then home on Sunday.

Well, the battery is about to go and I have to turn off so I can recharge it. Can't run the computer directly through the power converter. Just doesn't seem to like it much.

Cheers everyone.

I'll have photos perhaps in a few hours or for sure for you tomorrow.

Aran Island - Inis Mor

It is just off the coast of Ireland. An hour's bus ride to the ferry and about another hour on the ferry to the island. It has a number of old forts and churchs, which were once made of stone. The most famous fort was Don Aonghasa, which was built around 2000 B.C.

We had a spectacular day all in all with the clear sky. The touristy bus thing got a bit old waiting on other people - Let's go people, move it move it - we've got places to go and people to see.

This evening we ate down at the Eyer's Square - lots of pubs, etc. Nothing going on though until much later. So a bit boring for Michelle.

Tomorrow we head out to the Connemara area to see a castle.

Didn't have the time to stop and get a card reader for my camera, but should have time tomorrow evening. So I hope to get some photos online then. We're doing both digital and film.

Thanks for ready and hope to have photos on soon.

In Galway, IRELAND

(photo is of the inlet - at low tide)

Will get photos online later. Forgot my digital card reader. We arrived around 10:30am their time to Galway. It was pretty easy. Got off the plane, waltz through customs in like 5 mins and then to the bus which arrived about 10 mins later. It rained a bit, but that is normal for the green country of Ireland.

Had a massage today and now we are off to eat dinner. Plan to go see the Aran Islands on Tuesday and then the Connemara (sp) area on Wednesday. We'll get photos online as soon as we can, but wanted to let everyone know we are safe and sound and trying to relax.

Rodney and MIchelle