Fishing in Killybegs

Ireland offers two and a half thousand miles of coastal area. The longest river in Ireland, the River Shannon, starts in the North and runs through County Clare and, like most rivers, is filled with salmon, trout, and mackeral. And, Ireland’s 365 lakes make fishing a top commercial and recreational choice. For only 12 Euros, you can obtain a fishing license and head out for some fun. The town of ‘Killybegs’ is the largest fishing village in Ireland and is Ireland’s version of its own ‘Deadliest Catch’. It has quite the impressive fleet of commercial and recreational vessels.
I always enjoy myself more when I'm near the water, there's just something about it. The calm, serene feeling adds to the quality of life, even if you don't fish, the Killybegs area is beautiful!
KILLYBEGS, Irelands Liveliest Fishing Port www.killybegs.ie

Belly Up at The Emerald Bar in Bundoran

I boarded my bus for points further north, eventually crossing over the border into the West End of Bundoran in County Donegal. Bundoran is a charming little beach town, a horseback riding paradise, and a surfing mecca.
After lunch, it was time to explore. I walked up the hill that overlooked the Atlantic Ocean and was drawn to a little pub called the ‘Emerald Bar’, an original IRA pub. This was 'The Republic of Ireland' and I approached the pub with some hesitation. Yet, I was craving a Guinness! (If you’ve never imbibed a Guinness in Ireland, you have not fully lived! The creamy texture is much lighter than it appears and a pint of the dark stuff slides down your gullet like a penguin in a wet suit!)
Once inside, you couldn’t help but to notice the reminders of the struggle that once was. The posters that lined the walls told the story of a troubled past. I bellied up to the bar and was greeted with a nod. I felt safe enough, but I knew I was an outsider.
The bathrooms told the story of a real Irish pub; no toilet seats. It was as if to say, ‘don’t get too comfortable’.
Another Irish saying goes something like this...”A bird can’t fly on one wing”. So, I did just that and ordered a second Guinness. ‘Slancha!’(Cheers), I exclaimed, as I finished my pint and glided with two wings out of the pub.
I loved the feel of the pubs in Ireland, most offer live music and all offer the liquid gold, Guinness! Don't be scared, everyone is friendly, even the tough ones crack a smile!

The Gardens of Glenveagh National Park

Glenveagh National Park is set along the Derryveagh Mountains in the Northwest corner of Donegal, Ireland. With over 16,000 hectors (or about 40,000 acres) of mountain, lakes and woodland, the park offers the ultimate getaway for outdoor enthusiasts, adventure junkies, or those just seeking peace and tranquility.
You're free to roam the Park on your own or you may sign up for a guided tour with a knowledgeable park guide. It was the Gardens Of Glenveagh that held the magic for me for it a nature lover and bird watching paradise.
The colors of the gardens are most vibrant in the summer months, lasting into the Fall. The walled gardens had hedges of sweet pea with brightly colored allium, poppies and inula, mixed with organic vegetables in the center; known as ‘Jardin Potager’ style. My favorite, by far, of all the flora and fauna was the saucer-sized rare Himalayin Blue Poppies. It’s paper thin petals swayed in the gentle breeze. As the butterflies fluttered above, I thought how lucky they were to call Glenveagh home.
If you find yourself in this part of the world be sure to take in the beauty of Glenveagh, you will be glad you did.

Glenveagh National Park-Donegal - The park is open year round, 7 days a week from 10am - to 6pm. (9am - 5pm in the winter) www.glenveaghnationalpark.ie

The Holy What?

Excited for my trip to Ireland, I prayed to the travel gods in hopes my flight would make it off the ground this time! My first attempt was haulted due to the Icelandic volcano that spewed ash all over Europe and wreaked havoc on airports and travelers alike. As I was packing, it was the green, rubber, shamrock, ‘Seamus Murphy’ bracelet that jumped out at me. As if to say, “Bring me, bring me!” I decided it would become my Irish good luck charm.

Good Luck Charms
What I hadn’t realized at the time was how important my good luck charm would turn out to be. You don’t get more Irish than Sean ‘Seamus’ Murphy. He was even born on Saint Patrick’s Day in 1999. He’s a regular kid; a red head. He loves dogs, ice hockey, camping and fishing. So, when he was diagnosed the day after his ninth birthday with Stage 4, Non-Hotchkins Lymphoma, it was indeed a sad day; not only for his family, but for everyone who knows him. He underwent chemo and radiation for approximatly two years and spent way too much time in the hospital. So his parents, Jim and Karin, along with his sister Fionnuala “Finn”, ride the emotional roller coaster together. They try not to go into ‘panic mode’ every time Seamus coughs or sneezes. Thus, it was the rubber shamrock bracelet that I donated one dollar for that I hoped would hold some Irish magic for all of us.

Lost in ‘Bog Land’
Traveling by bus from Dublin to Sligo, I was in awe of the beauty that the mountains of Ireland project. It’s rolling hills, dotted with sheep, seemed like a patchwork quilt. The mesmerizing views of the expanding Atlantic were interrupted by the bumpy road that seemed to move and drop and to give way to the sinking bogs of Bally Shannon. It was then that I heard my guide say something about visiting ‘The Holy Well’. “The Holy What?”, I thought in my mind.

The Holy What?
As a ‘recovering Catholic’ who is not really overly any religion anymore, The ‘Tobernault Holy Well’ in Sligo County promised to be a spiritual moment for me! Visitors stop by and say a prayer and perhaps leave a personal belonging behind, such as a hair tie or a shoe lace, or in my case, a rubber shamrock bracelet, in hopes that your prayers will be answered. It hit me like a ton of bricks... this is the reason the rubber braclet jumped out at me 4 days ago. Little Seamus needed a prayer! Overwhelmed by something more powerful than me, my emotions grew from within like a rumbling thunder.

Spiritual Magic
Religion or not, it seemed that this was my reason for being here. I entered the silent holy ground and lit a candle for little Seamus. I carefully climbed my way up the old, crumbling stone staircase towards the lumbering thousand year old Holly Tree. It appeared to be weaping; the boughs heavy with burden, as if the protecting of all the special objects left behind had taken it’s toll on the poor old tired tree. I slipped the rubber braclet from my wrist, and placed it amongst the hundreds of other objects. I said a little prayer, and slowly retraced my steps back to the bus. My thoughts where quiet, my mind was still, peace and a sense of calm had taken over, and I was one with my thoughts. I had a ‘moment’ at the Holy Well, not exactly certain what the magic was, but I will never forget the feeling from within my soul. Little Seamus is not out of the woods yet, but his parents remain cautiously optomistic. My hope and prayer is that someday a healthy Seamus will visit the Holy Well, see his bracelet, and believe in the magic of Ireland.

Magic Awaits you in Ireland

The Volcano Sleeps

I was supposed to travel to Ireland last month, however, the mighty volcano erupted and forced all flights in or out of the UK to be grounded. I considered myself lucky... at least I was stuck home and not abroad.
The time has come full circle and it looks as if the volcano is napping, hopefully long enough for me to enjoy my trip to beautiful Ireland, and long enough for me to make a safe return!
I'm looking forward to resting my head on the luxury pillows at the 5 STAR Merrion Hotel.
I can't wait to walk the gardens of the Dublin Castle, or to view the artwork at Hugh Lane Gallery.
I will try to keep you informed of all my explorations of the castles and gardens of Ireland, and, perhaps, even a few pubs along the way!
With a little "LUCK OF THE IRISH," the mighty volcano will stay deep in it's slumber for a very long time.