| Ireland --- 1976 |
In 1966 we traveled on a three week vacation to Ireland and England. On this page are some of our
memories and a few photos of that visit to Ireland; the English part of the trip is on the next page.
From New York we flew to Shannon, Ireland. There we rented a car which we used to visit the
Cliffs of Moher, Castle Clare, the Dingle Peninsula, the Lakes of Killarney, Blarney Castle, and Cork.
From Cork we went by train to spend a few days in Dublin, after which we took the ferry to England.
memories and a few photos of that visit to Ireland; the English part of the trip is on the next page.
From New York we flew to Shannon, Ireland. There we rented a car which we used to visit the
Cliffs of Moher, Castle Clare, the Dingle Peninsula, the Lakes of Killarney, Blarney Castle, and Cork.
From Cork we went by train to spend a few days in Dublin, after which we took the ferry to England.
When we visited Ireland it was one of the least developed countries in western Europe; a scenically
beautiful agricultural country, but one of the poorest in Europe. Since then Ireland's economy has
grown very rapidly and the Irish now enjoy an enviable level of well-being.
beautiful agricultural country, but one of the poorest in Europe. Since then Ireland's economy has
grown very rapidly and the Irish now enjoy an enviable level of well-being.
What we most enjoyed in Ireland was the charming Irish people --- wonderfully witty, great
story-tellers, very welcoming, imaginative users of the English language, and fun to be with.
story-tellers, very welcoming, imaginative users of the English language, and fun to be with.
Below are some of the things we remember, and a few photos.
These are the Cliffs of Moher along the west
coast of Ireland, north of Shannon Airport.
coast of Ireland, north of Shannon Airport.
Not sure, but we think this is Castle Clare, which was closed
when we tried to visit it.
when we tried to visit it.
We enjoyed a couple of dlays in the Dingle Peninsula a
fishing and sheep-raising area in southwestern Ireland. Had
a great evening at a pub in the town of Dingle.
fishing and sheep-raising area in southwestern Ireland. Had
a great evening at a pub in the town of Dingle.
The Dingle Bay shoreline.
Virginia with Dingle Bay in the background.
A contemporary reconstruction
of an ancient stone shelter.
of an ancient stone shelter.
The boat in which we cruised one of Killarney's beautiful
lakes. Constant humor from the crew.
lakes. Constant humor from the crew.
A shallow spot in the lake.
Our rental car on a narrow road with embankments
and hedges on both sides --- not unusual.
and hedges on both sides --- not unusual.
Sometimes we shared to roads with cattle or sheep.
Blarney Castle, in need of repair and maintenance.
Virginia kissing the Blarney Stone, reputed
to make the kisser a better speaker.
to make the kisser a better speaker.
At the gate of one of the bed-and-breakfast
places at which we stayed.
places at which we stayed.
Eric in Dublin, under the "False
Teeth Repairs" sign.
Teeth Repairs" sign.
This photo might be of Trinity College, Dublin
A Dublin museum
A sculpture in Dublin
Another Dublin sculpture
From Dublin we took a bus to nearby Dun Laoghaire for the ferry across the Irish Sea to Holyhead
in Wales. The end of a very enjoyable visit to Ireland!
in Wales. The end of a very enjoyable visit to Ireland!