A Cross Country Trip to Wexford from Kilkee, Ireland

Wexford is a town with much history on the opposite side of the country from Kilkee. On July 24 we set out on a northeasterly direction by car to Ennis to catch the train for several days of exploring another part of this country where we had not yet set foot. On the way we passed rolling green, green countryside where many horses, sheep and cattle were grazing. After an hour's car ride we reached the town of Ennis where we hopped on the train which took us southeast to Limerick. In this city we took a bus to Limerick junction where we caught the train for Dublin, now again heading in a northeasterly direction. The train in Dublin, where we transferred to the Wexford line, now took us straight south along the east side of the country along the Irish Sea coast. Beautiful mountains on one side of the rail line with the stunning coastline on the other. The east side of the country is sunnier and warmer than the west and so it was that the beaches were full of sunbathers and swimmers.
In Wexford town, in the southeast of Ireland, we joined an historical walking tour around the town where many years ago the Vikings, Normans and British had invaded and many battles had been fought.
We also enjoyed browsing through the many shops along the business street. Best of this little outing was the warm, sunshiny weather.

Brilliant orange sunset

It had been a cloudy day as most days this summer in Ireland. Close to dusk, the room was suddenly filled with the most amazing glow of brilliant orange and as I gazed outside at the sky, I noticed the clouds had lifted off the horizon, allowing the illusive sun to send out an evening blessing. As I stepped out into the garden I felt almost hypnotized with the glorious beauty of the orange rays on the lawn, shrubs and flowers, all aglow in the unexpected, welcome light, the rain drops still glistening on their foliage. A truly holy moment.

New granddaughter, Aisling O'Brien

On July 11 in the morning we had a call from son Kieran in Dublin that a new little granddaughter had arrived safely and we felt delighted. That evening another call came with the news that this tiny little 6lb 14oz girl would need to undergo open heart surgery. Needless to say, we were all very concerned and got busy with getting family, friends and church community to pray for a successful operation and a good recovery.
On July 24 we were pasing through Dublin and stopped in at the hospital to visit the new family and got the good news that the baby was being discharged that day and she looked absolutely beautiful! She was taking milk eagerly from the bottle and crying when it wasn't immediately forthcoming, all pointing to a healthy recovering child .

Pollock Holes

In Kilkee, Ireland, when the tide goes out, salt water pools are left behind in the rocks which many folk love to swim in. The very shallow ones display many beautiful sea creatures including star fish.

Chiming church bells in Ireland

Church bells chime in Ireland  at noon and at 6pm for the Angelus, not only from the church towers but also on state TV and radio.
Then there are the chiming church bells when there is a funeral. The bells chime when the coffin is taken to the church the day before the funeral, then again before the funeral Mass and again as the coffin is being driven off to the cemetary. At this time the chimes ring slowly and approximately a minute apart as the hearse begins its journey toward  the cemetary; an appropriate send off to the Great Beyond!
Then there are the chimes for the weekend Masses, calling the faithful to prayer and worship. Living across the street from the church, one hears the lovely pealing bells frequently and clearly so there is no excuse for staying away.

Rain, rain in Ireland!

There is gentle rain, misty rain, pouring and pelting rain, moderate rain and then there is drizzle. There should be as many names for rain in Ireland as there are names for snow in Inuktitut.

Climbing roses

Our climbing roses are bursting into full bloom out of the hundreds of buds on its branches! What a glorious sight to see the brilliant pink colours adorning the deep green leaves and providing us with an amazing view as we sit in the garden sipping our coffee, or enjoying our meals. How do they survive the harsh winters and come back each year to delight again and again!!!

Fish head Fred

Fresh mackeral from the sea shore daily. Fred guts and cleans them, then places the entrails on the garden wall for the sea gulls, who swoop down and in a few gulps, clean up the mess in no time at all. When Fred's children and grandchildren visited and watched this scene, they gave Fred the name, fish head Fred!

The fresh mackeral are delicious and what a treat to sit out in the garden on a sunny day to eat this fabulous meal in the fresh air!

The sun is shining in Kilkee!

I woke up to brilliant sunshine streaming through my bedroom window this a.m. after arriving to 4 days of heavy rain and gale winds! How lovely is the sunshine!! The benefit of the 4 rainy days immediately after my arrival allowed for adjustment to the new time zone with lots of naps!

This morning we attended a Methodist funeral in the Catholic church. Most interesting and awesome to watch and experience the ecumenical service with the Catholic choir singing the Methodist chosen hymns.

In p.m., after a lovely lunch on the outside deck, it was into the garden for digging and preparing for the plants we hope to purchase tomorrow and plant.