Bill and Jean: Family, Friends, Activities, and Adventures: 2008.07 Ireland: Bill and Jean Woolley and Bill, Judy, and Rob Neill

Bill worked for months planning an itinerary and making lodging arrangements for a week-long trip to Ireland with our neighbors, Bill and Judy Neill and their son Rob, who grew up with our kids and now lives in New York. We flew to Dublin, spent a couple of days there, and then went to Brussels for a week with Pamela and Henry. We met the Neills on Saturday, July 19, and took off for the countryside on Sunday. We rented a car at the Dublin airport. Bill Woolley did the navigating and Bill Neill drove, and both did brilliantly despite some of the “interesting” roads and signage. Our stops included Dublin and Wicklow (Bill and Jean only), Letterkenny, Grianan Ailligh fortress (homeland of the ancient O’Neills), Derry (well-preserved wall), Ardara (weaving demonstration and purchase of wool garments), Glencolumbkille (historic folk village), Slieve League (high cliffs and a great hike), Killybegs (seaside town), Donegal (great B&B and shopping), Beleek (pottery), Lough Derg (prilgrimage site linked to St. Patrick), Carrow Keel (prehistoric passage tombs), Tulsk (active archeological dig), Kinvara (fishing village—delicious fresh oysters), Kilmachdaugh (ruins of monastic community), the Burren (portal tomb, rock formations, and wild flowers), the Cliffs of Moher (spectacular views), Caggaunowen (castle and Iron Age educational center with artifacts and model village), Limmerick (museum), Cashel (castle—Rock of Cashel and bar where the first Guinness was served), and Kilkenny (fantastic reconstructed castle; homeland of the Butlers—Jean’s grandfather’s family name).

Bill Woolley climbing round tower of St. Canice's Cathedral in Kilkenny

Rob, Bill, and Bill...well qualified after this trip

The Burren

Portal Tomb on the Burren

We saw many sacks of cut peat on the bogs and often saw it being burned.

Rob hiked in Glencolumbkille while the rest of us went to the historic folk village. He had the beach and trails to himself.

After we saw MichaelMolloy hand weaving wool cloth, Judy and I bought jackets made from the cloth by a tailor who works with Triona Designs, Molloys' shop.

Father and Son: Sean, 13, was the 2006 Irish fiddle champion. He is also an accomplished penny whistle player.

Prehistoric passage tombs dot the hillsides overlooking Lough Arrow. The drive up the narrow, steep dirt road to get to the trail head parking lot took a great deal of courage. The Bills were undaunted, and when we reached our destination the beauty and tranquility of the place was awesome.