You know, most often when you take a trip, you have had a great time, but you are happy to come home. I can tell you that on our recent trip to Ireland, the trip went so fast that now it seems like a dream. I can remember saying to Janet,” I can honestly say that I am not ready to go home yet. ” Because in some strange way- I felt like Ireland was somehow home to me.

The last time I was in Ireland, I can remember seeing so many people who reminded me of my relatives. I swear I saw my grandmother who had passed on, looking at me around a corner and perhaps keeping tabs on me as I made my way on my road bike. This time I saw many people too who reminded me of relatives who have passed on and of people who I currently know. I saw Bob Duffy at least 10 times. Bob and I work together at Armada and he has a classic Irish mug. There is something in my blood that makes me want so badly to return to Ireland. I felt so comfortable there and the people are so warm and friendly that you think, somehow, we are all related. They say that people who visit Ireland are treated in such a manner because the people of Ireland believe that visitors are really returning distant relatives. They are coming back to their roots. Like Janet and me.

I posted about our tour guide- Brendan McCarthy, a couple of weeks ago. He and I hit it off so well that again, somehow, I felt like he was related to me. He did say in Blarney that his relative was Dermot McCarthy who built Blarney Castle back in the 1400s. So, he had a real relative but somehow, again, I felt that we were kin. Brendan regularly sends us videos on What’s App and we do the same for him. We miss him and will reconnect someday. But what is it that is so magical about being in Ireland?

Everywhere we went, we felt something that was pulling at us. The rugged coast of Ireland, the winds, the pubs, the people, the food. Don’t ever let anyone tell you that the food is not good in Ireland. We had spectacular meals and the fresh salmon, hake, and other seafood delights in the coastal towns were mouthwatering. Even the potatoes, vegetables, and morning porridge, felt like home to me. Like I was eating again at my grandmother’s on the North Side of Pittsburgh. Anyone tells you that the food is no good has either not been there in a while, or they have an odd taste for good food.

Jan wanted to stop at Curran’s Pub in Dingle to see if there were any indications of relations there seeing that her mom’s maiden name was Curran. We met the owner and he was a bit standoffish at first but gradually warmed up to us and brought out all his genealogy books to show us the bloodlines. He told us that another Curran cousin just walked out the door. He was from Australia. Jan was thrilled. Sitting in his pub, I felt like I was in my grandma’s house. It felt like the bar was in her living room. It even smelled like her house on the North Side.

Brendan took us to the bridge that was used in the film “The Quiet Man”- one of my favorite movies starring John Wayne, Maureen O’Hara, Ward Bond, Victor McLaughlin and Barry Fitzgerald. I was so taken by the scene that I kissed Janet on the bridge like I was John Wayne. And I recited his famous line to Maureen O’Hara when he said” There will be no locked doors between us Mary Kate Danaher.” Everyone laughed but I loved being on that bridge. If you have not seen it, take some time to watch…….” The Quiet Man.”

From the first Guiness draughts in Dublin, to the great food in Kinsale, to the rugged coast of The Ring of Kerry and the Dingle Peninsula, we were taken by the beauty. Jan and I both say the next time we would try to get some hiking in because the scenery is so spectacular. But there is this feeling that I have that is hard to put a finger on. What is it? I will be thinking a lot about that because I don’t quite know the answer. But I can tell you we can’t wait to go back. I know I am waiting for ski season to start but I would go back to Ireland at any time.

So, if you ride or ski with me soon, chances are the topic of Ireland will come up. Maybe it will be my Irish sweater that I bought at the Blarney Woolen Mills? Maybe I will talk on the ride or the chairlift about the “craic” or the “goings on ” in the pubs. Maybe I will talk about somehow, I feel like I belong there? I can’t wait to go back, and I will be talking about it for a while until I get there again. Thanks for reading. Slainte’

Don’t forget- an amazing, professional tour company – Irish Tours for You. http://www.irishtoursforyou.com Ask for Fionnuala O’ Loughlin