Ireland

While the boys were busy having fun here in Texas, I managed to have a fun time in Ireland, too. I went with my parents, aunt, sister and brother-in-law in celebration of my aunt's milestone birthday and my parents' milestone anniversary this year. We chose Ireland to honor Mom and Jane's Irish roots. Here's a small taste of what we did on our trip.

Trinity College, Dublin

Mom and Jane in Howth

my first (and last) Irish coffe

We were in Dublin the same day Obama was there. He gave a speech at College Green in the heart of Dublin, and people were lined up all day to go through the security checkpoint to get close for his speech and the concert surrounding it. A betting house was handing out these t-shirts for people to wear in the crowd. Unfortunately the president's visit did prevent us from doing a few of the things we wanted to, but it was really fun to be a part of all the excitement. We even managed to see him in his motorcade as he left the speech. The Irish people could not have been more excited for him to be there.

Kilkenny Castle

Kilkenny

Rock of Cashel, one of my favorite places we visited.

castle in Cahir

kissing the Blarney Stone

Murphy's ice cream in Dingle. Yum!

views from our drive around the Dingle Peninsula (another of my favorites)

We got to hear a lot of traditional Irish music, including this concert in a church. This guy is playing the Irish bagpipes where the air is control by his arms, not his mouth.

waterfall on Connor's Pass

Cliffs of Moher