tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48071059939278928712024-03-13T07:53:23.005+00:00Highlights and RootsAn Irish American Family moves from New York to Dublin, and creates Highlights in the place of their Roots.Laurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12557959220535597269noreply@blogger.comBlogger126125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4807105993927892871.post-14735950879230563912012-08-19T22:59:00.002+01:002012-08-19T22:59:48.098+01:00“It takes a long time to grow young.”- Pablo Picasso<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Tom's Birthday. Great Day at Tayto Park with the kids and cake with our good friends. Happy Birthday Honey!</div>
Laurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12557959220535597269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4807105993927892871.post-18225714405578496042012-08-18T22:20:00.000+01:002012-08-19T23:02:18.586+01:00"On the beach, you can live in bliss." Dennis Wilson<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Today was the first day in a very long while when we could just get up and do as we wanted. I slept in (until 9am!), then we all walked down to the village and had breakfast in one of our favorite cafes. It looked like it was going to be a really nice day, so we decided to go to the beach. We are so close to the sea, and I appreciate it so much. We are definitely close to some beaches, but not the same kind of beaches that we know from the Northeast USA.<br />
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Firstly, there are few days that we would really consider "beach days". People have been commenting lately about how warm the sea is now. Freezing. The sand is very gravel-ly and there are lots of rocks and stones on top, at least at the beaches nearby. On this particular beautiful day, there was an unusual amount of seaweed, so there was a bit of an odor and a ton of flies. I was sitting on my towel constantly flapping my arms so that they might stop landing on me. <br />
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In spite of all this, I loved it. Why? Because the boys loved it. They had the sea, rocks to throw into it, friends that they knew from school, a big shovel and a beautiful day. They couldn't have been happier. How lucky we are.</div>
Laurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12557959220535597269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4807105993927892871.post-73412636272042322572012-08-12T15:04:00.002+01:002012-08-12T15:04:53.363+01:00"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year." - Ralph Waldo Emerson<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It has been close to a year since I have been on this blog. Knowing that we have at least 1 year to go in Dublin, I want to try to record as much as I can going forward. In just scanning past posts, I realize that I don't remember as much as I would have thought and I so appreciate the entries that I have made.<br />
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The absent year was our third and I will definitely be "backblogging" a bit so that the "highlights" of 2012 are not omitted! This year the kiddos seemed to grow into big kids. They are so busy with school, friends and activities that our day to day has become quite hectic. We did some travel, they boys learned to read and we are playing a few rounds of "Go Fish" every night as a family. Pretty good stuff.<br />
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Be back soon!</div>Laurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12557959220535597269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4807105993927892871.post-58504523994915204692011-10-17T15:31:00.002+01:002011-10-18T20:45:53.796+01:00"I think we all long for glamour" Linda Lee<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicgfQo8xcSdsIq_ZkHqgce4s1rZcKfH5UoWHLGiU8PX_AMOEm73JVP4NFTJdOMeSadJuJFf0Vnj9hfbYC-nl9pC0TS9s4sbjkhoSjEJIv7tQpx97NR63MRYteT6dinIzp6qkAUJ-m_4Sa-/s1600/DSCF2479.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicgfQo8xcSdsIq_ZkHqgce4s1rZcKfH5UoWHLGiU8PX_AMOEm73JVP4NFTJdOMeSadJuJFf0Vnj9hfbYC-nl9pC0TS9s4sbjkhoSjEJIv7tQpx97NR63MRYteT6dinIzp6qkAUJ-m_4Sa-/s400/DSCF2479.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664843579364520418" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The only corner of our house that doesn't have windows or Mirrors!</b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjePi8yMI2GKHRtuLLiccVFf8fLjJmBN36JLyOUcYOu7YeKk6SYyyOwSMBzIh_FFGNbN_885UawVB1SLN2_eagd8CCP5zejdQBCldomJaoXtxTUJ1OlXT7H-M2wbgK7DSgiQ7CavxV3ucAK/s1600/DSCF2483.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjePi8yMI2GKHRtuLLiccVFf8fLjJmBN36JLyOUcYOu7YeKk6SYyyOwSMBzIh_FFGNbN_885UawVB1SLN2_eagd8CCP5zejdQBCldomJaoXtxTUJ1OlXT7H-M2wbgK7DSgiQ7CavxV3ucAK/s400/DSCF2483.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664843018050850066" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Our great friends and neighbors, Fiona & Fintan</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKou-PK0XqoSdX0nWs09mApBGNi5oQSR8xNu2spnbK5QG5I5BnjSqzSSpRCW1uNOTYORsToeMOeNxoDwPP_xOSqEJyPKeuk-p_hCnUQP-gP7oT-yxPLTz0KWTeYR95PQMkt09pEOayyGdY/s1600/DSCF2484.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKou-PK0XqoSdX0nWs09mApBGNi5oQSR8xNu2spnbK5QG5I5BnjSqzSSpRCW1uNOTYORsToeMOeNxoDwPP_xOSqEJyPKeuk-p_hCnUQP-gP7oT-yxPLTz0KWTeYR95PQMkt09pEOayyGdY/s400/DSCF2484.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664843015202262466" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The beautiful hostess Julie (in silver), with Ian & Jackie (also beautiful :))</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6PT_qRFTVDztnxQks2a9NFF99SXsJ3xIHIiwkPulxH50UBYjqFjn0WvQLmMkJ-p9WvE6MxUSpUA8aHnyiVlYyZFTKMqBS9Pv8SagWLkc4uTrETC5OkXJ4rTzqM6HikeQuYNiHgocIHNCS/s1600/DSCF2488.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6PT_qRFTVDztnxQks2a9NFF99SXsJ3xIHIiwkPulxH50UBYjqFjn0WvQLmMkJ-p9WvE6MxUSpUA8aHnyiVlYyZFTKMqBS9Pv8SagWLkc4uTrETC5OkXJ4rTzqM6HikeQuYNiHgocIHNCS/s400/DSCF2488.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664843014166629106" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Jax & Maryvonne in the lovely antique chairs</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhbRWC5lahdHDC4jsMBplrWYiDz-rcvLWn7u1SCDoVkvg5CyyQFEArkKVSrbuUo5qtAEhretuYvpTycUxWB_3sykbqbtzR9XJhZZ_D0W9VzYCup6fOKbXhSfJ5xQ7ZjHUHuY9HypZMUuL8/s1600/DSCF2491.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhbRWC5lahdHDC4jsMBplrWYiDz-rcvLWn7u1SCDoVkvg5CyyQFEArkKVSrbuUo5qtAEhretuYvpTycUxWB_3sykbqbtzR9XJhZZ_D0W9VzYCup6fOKbXhSfJ5xQ7ZjHUHuY9HypZMUuL8/s400/DSCF2491.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664842997485050722" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Atmosphere shot</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ1K5CVDhcuupzCkmTFK5badDbNt9Cm3r7RjeiGe0JPccp6wEYmMH7VukBBPL9OPAwdeJ7EtiiwXbSv8GuSHlxErKDLLyrWRoXPb72QEb8Z3j0zTxWXMO8rLqQ05aHNzg1MEATiXEUGwDA/s1600/DSCF2493.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ1K5CVDhcuupzCkmTFK5badDbNt9Cm3r7RjeiGe0JPccp6wEYmMH7VukBBPL9OPAwdeJ7EtiiwXbSv8GuSHlxErKDLLyrWRoXPb72QEb8Z3j0zTxWXMO8rLqQ05aHNzg1MEATiXEUGwDA/s400/DSCF2493.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664842993720469042" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The piano man with one of Julie & John's friends singing- it was really good</b></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Last Saturday we went to a party thrown by our friends, Julie & John. They live behind us- just over the wall- and they have 3 boys. The youngest is the same age as our boys, and their 8-year -old is so good with them as well. Unfortunately John's Dad passed away earlier this year. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Before they sell his house, they decided to throw a party to say goodbye to it in style. And did they ever! It was amazing party and it really solidified my notion that there are so many great, nice people here. Thanks Julie & John!</div>Laurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12557959220535597269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4807105993927892871.post-1645589021563282642011-10-15T21:45:00.004+01:002011-10-18T22:11:23.954+01:00“Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.”- Mother Theresa of Calcutta<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinXtpTqy4BBmmsNMwfaQzpOOAAicL3h2dgQtNe6NIAqHg3EPpYQCq9JmWSXN_jpT7C2Wks7jHdOLo02ewgZ9BvxHabsZgwmFz7hhiRN_TfPmcQjuci3sA3dOtd1jUHhYGo_mafUFQsSGSY/s1600/IMG_1714.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinXtpTqy4BBmmsNMwfaQzpOOAAicL3h2dgQtNe6NIAqHg3EPpYQCq9JmWSXN_jpT7C2Wks7jHdOLo02ewgZ9BvxHabsZgwmFz7hhiRN_TfPmcQjuci3sA3dOtd1jUHhYGo_mafUFQsSGSY/s400/IMG_1714.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664937563063180674" /></a><b><div style="text-align: center;">Camilla</div><br /></b><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDgUk77W85iivYsFt86r057wPhVbr4lCe0wEtsSER50tqtUazY6mX0xoaMP6hFZQ7EQEs9ZhSIu_I81UjShXaHeKklhA4CBMm96EEFWSKMV2BmZOQVziLSl389wDi__Sooet9GsZrZ-F-8/s1600/IMG_1715.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDgUk77W85iivYsFt86r057wPhVbr4lCe0wEtsSER50tqtUazY6mX0xoaMP6hFZQ7EQEs9ZhSIu_I81UjShXaHeKklhA4CBMm96EEFWSKMV2BmZOQVziLSl389wDi__Sooet9GsZrZ-F-8/s400/IMG_1715.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664937561208197954" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><b>My Girls </b></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVDFkqDI3Ts2O0rm69il0KslWpsWp-QfTyJlonG3XWFu5oqRlyj4xP60Z06riz2iiFVNdsYQpbH5pMTJ8-h5uUnBdG7AgfARs6J2HfbqYbvnFjRQJWQi9NyCOUOzQuLiLMQEfgGQYxe9Yi/s1600/IMG_1717.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVDFkqDI3Ts2O0rm69il0KslWpsWp-QfTyJlonG3XWFu5oqRlyj4xP60Z06riz2iiFVNdsYQpbH5pMTJ8-h5uUnBdG7AgfARs6J2HfbqYbvnFjRQJWQi9NyCOUOzQuLiLMQEfgGQYxe9Yi/s400/IMG_1717.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664937544583882290" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Great to have a night out</b>!</div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmUTinAiEqicK9RLdTDygWFK1BFlDc53lwfo7MyIL4Tartk5VvP2ml6ABFg8VJic4rVW8ZJ52KTWuqc-Jjtoxtvc9pqgmUtC6Lfe7G18h_7MJkv1KcX881_mbYqQEoMu4i2tFSL143X_WX/s1600/IMG_1721.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmUTinAiEqicK9RLdTDygWFK1BFlDc53lwfo7MyIL4Tartk5VvP2ml6ABFg8VJic4rVW8ZJ52KTWuqc-Jjtoxtvc9pqgmUtC6Lfe7G18h_7MJkv1KcX881_mbYqQEoMu4i2tFSL143X_WX/s400/IMG_1721.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664937542308561634" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><b>We will miss you Camilla</b>!</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Sometimes people come into your life, even for a short time, and they make it better. It's so important that moms have each other as friends, and it seems even more important when you live far from old friends & family. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Thursday night we said goodbye to Camilla, who is on her way to Sydney, Australia. Just last week after a stressful morning, she offered me some very wise and very needed counsel. I am glad to know you Camilla! And best of luck in OZ!</div>Laurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12557959220535597269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4807105993927892871.post-39091440059963803892011-10-14T20:23:00.006+01:002011-10-19T21:56:40.256+01:00"For death is no more than a turning of us over from time to eternity. " William Penn<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguzbrGLaFEQDuIyJuVjFe6LQuaxjEn9ntoMi0kls7B9ojX23SuZC41p6YPfH39tKljI6i0Kvoiw4lfqdPTJnCM7IIDqMNaTQdJs2YpCEHVc8qDxtkgW-Qgh6gCtjxy7dZCVhLsH_NVb_nd/s1600/IMG_1580.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguzbrGLaFEQDuIyJuVjFe6LQuaxjEn9ntoMi0kls7B9ojX23SuZC41p6YPfH39tKljI6i0Kvoiw4lfqdPTJnCM7IIDqMNaTQdJs2YpCEHVc8qDxtkgW-Qgh6gCtjxy7dZCVhLsH_NVb_nd/s400/IMG_1580.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664917212624467394" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Mildred Marion Abitz Gallagher Butler</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>September 9, 1922-October 15, 2011</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Because of the time difference, I didn't hear of my grandmother's death until the day after. But just that night the boys and I were talking about her and looking at her picture. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In an email to my Dad, I remembered my grandmother. But the one thing that I didn't include was her greatest accomplishment. My Dad. He is the best father and grandfather and I love and admire him so much. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here are some thoughts from the email:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div id="yiv163920976yui_3_2_0_15_131877613506940"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Grandma used to take us to A&S for our birthday to get new clothes. She would pick me up in her powder blue car (the one I smashed in 1986) and we would look at clothes and try things on and I would come home, very excited and feeling very special. </span></div><div id="yiv163920976yui_3_2_0_15_131877613506940"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></div><div id="yiv163920976yui_3_2_0_15_131877613506940"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">She always had lots of Juicy Fruit in her bag and she let us go in and take what we wanted. </span></div><div id="yiv163920976yui_3_2_0_15_131877613506940"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></div><div id="yiv163920976yui_3_2_0_15_131877613506940"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Sometimes Tricia and I would sleep over at her house. Once I remember I got to go by myself. Grandma and I ate ice cream and watched "The Boy in The Plastic Bubble". </span></div><div id="yiv163920976yui_3_2_0_15_131877613506940"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></div><div id="yiv163920976yui_3_2_0_15_131877613506940"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Tricia and I used to go up in her room and go into her scarf drawer. She had millions! We had so much fun playing with them.</span></div><div id="yiv163920976yui_3_2_0_15_131877613506940"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></div><div id="yiv163920976yui_3_2_0_15_131877613506940"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">When I had a tick in my head in 3rd grade, Grandma picked me up and took me to the Dr. to have it removed.</span></div><div id="yiv163920976yui_3_2_0_15_131877613506940"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></div><div id="yiv163920976yui_3_2_0_15_131877613506940"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Tricia and I went to visit her and JB in <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1318967033_0">Florida</span> in High School and we had a lot of laughs between us, and Grandma and JB were very nice, and took us out to dinner every night. </span></div><div id="yiv163920976yui_3_2_0_15_131877613506940"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></div><div id="yiv163920976yui_3_2_0_15_131877613506940"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">And when I was staying at the White's while Brian was born & Tricia was having her tonsils out, I was upset and didn't want to stay there anymore. I snuck home after school and started really crying. She hugged me for a long time, and said that I could stay at home. Grandpa was there too. </span></div><div id="yiv163920976yui_3_2_0_15_131877613506940"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></div><div id="yiv163920976yui_3_2_0_15_131877613506940"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">I know that she loved us a lot, and I am glad that she is at peace.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Laurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12557959220535597269noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4807105993927892871.post-41732529049403096982011-09-12T16:10:00.000+01:002011-10-22T16:57:37.297+01:00"Love does not consist of gazing at each other, but in looking together in the same direction." ~Antoine de Saint-Exupery<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Beautiful Bride and her Dad</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Lovely Maid of Honor, Amy</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp4ODdN12NkJ8zr1v9UBL_0FcbSIhvo8hhQnoaLvP5QQWgd7XJvskW3sqLXwgrpgkTJDBkfOJ8SislX4kJmjtOvBFTTu2LRK-5RSlH126kskweCZaLH7y3UjQR9gcbhAp95OFsIdwddErK/s1600/DSCF2091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp4ODdN12NkJ8zr1v9UBL_0FcbSIhvo8hhQnoaLvP5QQWgd7XJvskW3sqLXwgrpgkTJDBkfOJ8SislX4kJmjtOvBFTTu2LRK-5RSlH126kskweCZaLH7y3UjQR9gcbhAp95OFsIdwddErK/s320/DSCF2091.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Loves</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love this picture!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tom reading an Irish Blessing at his Goddaughter's Wedding</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Molly & Lou</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTibo1PxM8yR4Ljzr2ao_dgqPcO61IXp-odxnAHnFsE0QRxDEFBobfGw5QTpOz8HduuPzst7MI79zXZxiAK_hom3d8Nv4zXtmhPMwqQnkQMn0UocPqR8IZ2JjCLcs9BC4XYgALk_qiCX2z/s1600/DSCF2100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTibo1PxM8yR4Ljzr2ao_dgqPcO61IXp-odxnAHnFsE0QRxDEFBobfGw5QTpOz8HduuPzst7MI79zXZxiAK_hom3d8Nv4zXtmhPMwqQnkQMn0UocPqR8IZ2JjCLcs9BC4XYgALk_qiCX2z/s320/DSCF2100.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wedding Party</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5W-texHjf-UsFvbgarO93qziGmZeqNPsbY3r5ZyM1fDauxZXD3sjDtzoiTyz5g6GFsWNKC9YfhC10iQX1OgXh24IoIpbjnQmis5UBLSnLB-fGNUeFOedPNgeJaHsO1_es4ZUVJLIO2vpg/s1600/DSCF2154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5W-texHjf-UsFvbgarO93qziGmZeqNPsbY3r5ZyM1fDauxZXD3sjDtzoiTyz5g6GFsWNKC9YfhC10iQX1OgXh24IoIpbjnQmis5UBLSnLB-fGNUeFOedPNgeJaHsO1_es4ZUVJLIO2vpg/s320/DSCF2154.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Groom brews his own beer!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAyBQJLAU5DsuPb8H7LDAU0haf57PvWlzHn4ZceG9fbQWlXsMUpoWRw5E3o1o9G7lUf5WwGV845HHEB3YLyDqiN_fwETZMldvIlSKxnYXpCygWFL3jv6AAloT6fOC16Q6L1M1RmnLptvKk/s1600/DSCF2146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAyBQJLAU5DsuPb8H7LDAU0haf57PvWlzHn4ZceG9fbQWlXsMUpoWRw5E3o1o9G7lUf5WwGV845HHEB3YLyDqiN_fwETZMldvIlSKxnYXpCygWFL3jv6AAloT6fOC16Q6L1M1RmnLptvKk/s320/DSCF2146.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some special time with Happy Joan</td></tr>
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We were so excited to arrive in Maine for the wedding of our niece, Molly and her fiance, Lou. Their wedding date was September 10, 2011 (9-10-11!). Molly and Lou met at their first year at Hamilton College and have been together ever since. It was lovely to be a part of their wedding day and to spend some great time with Tom's family!</div>
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The ceremony was beautiful, and they had a perfect New England day. Our niece Amy, the Maid of Honor, gave a funny, touching speech, as did Lou's brother. It was really nice to hear all the funny stories about the couple and how much they are loved. Ann, the Mother of the Bride hosted a beautiful brunch the next day. We had a fantastic time!</div>
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<br />Laurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12557959220535597269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4807105993927892871.post-40741933876245570862011-08-18T19:38:00.002+01:002011-09-05T20:49:42.894+01:00"It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them." - Ralph Waldo Emerson<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhihuKAK3jEl-nAU8TIvDc0pirVbOukIn9Ay-qvs7gaD4-jrrNUkKez2dWmJ3qgoz1vHpYPOkDVP9MOWSwKepbp9EsjApLoJWTFARqbhiUC-a8DcwptYYqXsg20WNRFFG-l2JkZsgAAzl0A/s1600/IMG_0062.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhihuKAK3jEl-nAU8TIvDc0pirVbOukIn9Ay-qvs7gaD4-jrrNUkKez2dWmJ3qgoz1vHpYPOkDVP9MOWSwKepbp9EsjApLoJWTFARqbhiUC-a8DcwptYYqXsg20WNRFFG-l2JkZsgAAzl0A/s400/IMG_0062.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648951761672437426" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">At Trinity College</div><div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoXQERfadjjss52DAghFY1vo2wGcKTzBddDR2sph6L-hG2CkhOU12ltXnp6ZrfEEMrnVX64EmEanwDOJLe4bXHbKuCxE4L-pFNXPc_Cl4SQrLAv1PslIdK47HVkkqJ9evj_2fp1d4MSPqZ/s1600/IMG_0064.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoXQERfadjjss52DAghFY1vo2wGcKTzBddDR2sph6L-hG2CkhOU12ltXnp6ZrfEEMrnVX64EmEanwDOJLe4bXHbKuCxE4L-pFNXPc_Cl4SQrLAv1PslIdK47HVkkqJ9evj_2fp1d4MSPqZ/s400/IMG_0064.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648951757245333010" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Molly & Michele - the obligatory Dublin Shot</div><div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4sw0uuIPZL8EJO0vbN-NdXzEAoYZiYtd2GyMhFZYD9W4qZersujdA3S25sXTiAd5QJaNxE-ShpexFk4qmK3SwxJMDrR_Z-kWQacTkCg4zIo-3QGKy3nGHtRpZfWGxRq5fm-7Fr0QE_cyy/s1600/IMG_0022.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4sw0uuIPZL8EJO0vbN-NdXzEAoYZiYtd2GyMhFZYD9W4qZersujdA3S25sXTiAd5QJaNxE-ShpexFk4qmK3SwxJMDrR_Z-kWQacTkCg4zIo-3QGKy3nGHtRpZfWGxRq5fm-7Fr0QE_cyy/s400/IMG_0022.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648951752349253890" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">With Michele after climbing Killiney Hill</div><div style="text-align: center;">
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<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiQnf4beHNZ2r8FvwVvQyG6otEuQCqXIUd4jsBm5xdmG8qa1_A0luIn6lWL_WfNSzOEZZG2o9Dwv2VH4wC7mSoQbFJqPNw-0nHxm5OvDlfDjbaUVUjeCrcgHl45Qm4ckGSs-HUb00iLbCV/s1600/IMG_1434.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiQnf4beHNZ2r8FvwVvQyG6otEuQCqXIUd4jsBm5xdmG8qa1_A0luIn6lWL_WfNSzOEZZG2o9Dwv2VH4wC7mSoQbFJqPNw-0nHxm5OvDlfDjbaUVUjeCrcgHl45Qm4ckGSs-HUb00iLbCV/s400/IMG_1434.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648951738934033826" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Michele in her Cell (another one for my collection!)</div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">My very good friend Michele from New York came to visit this week. She was at a conference in London and added a trip to Dublin to her itinerary. It was so nice to see her and spend some time in person. I loved catching up and showing her where we live. </div><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Michele loved Ireland and thought that it was one of the most beautiful places that she had ever seen. I have to agree. Thanks for coming Michele!!! </div>Laurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12557959220535597269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4807105993927892871.post-12023743767606006352011-08-07T20:24:00.006+01:002011-08-07T21:34:07.745+01:00"It doesn’t matter where you go in life, what you do ….. it’s who you have beside you."- Unknown<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd8Bml3A1dixKJ23SqvmF_x1C_nQNDSU9IHryu4ZvZe0db9f8hjY945ZWTFbbl8cUu3Z3Z5a_NO66G6lq_bnaQ26yTpY5h7QxcKd6Y97mqcYw0g-sbdT7SBk5KGvsoCpH_IO2IGC6qAtmE/s1600/DSCF9795.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd8Bml3A1dixKJ23SqvmF_x1C_nQNDSU9IHryu4ZvZe0db9f8hjY945ZWTFbbl8cUu3Z3Z5a_NO66G6lq_bnaQ26yTpY5h7QxcKd6Y97mqcYw0g-sbdT7SBk5KGvsoCpH_IO2IGC6qAtmE/s400/DSCF9795.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638203205101753762" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The Dublin Horse Show 2011</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKufNA2Bu-71fa6kdE4C2HA6pnvkBYucOinTYh16sHLDtKavo-_ZisoUoSHAuEe9INf38_fvlAP6xzjgKUf1pSRunT1H5gCVJKb8X-Kga-KX8obRN-yqdzFK-g8bKv9F-D_FCaJQD3s2dd/s1600/DSCF9797.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDzSAvSEPy6eF4osjAKd2L6t-gg4H47F9ANtcuCv66MW9sty7P5fQ00R_ajFjgNI9iR_nRuDIyqS_3iMTSbY9a00uRaR6j7KsxPRemAhG9kM80doMzb5fJk4hLiGTukBmtALN4aIkfTXDI/s1600/DSCF9793.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDzSAvSEPy6eF4osjAKd2L6t-gg4H47F9ANtcuCv66MW9sty7P5fQ00R_ajFjgNI9iR_nRuDIyqS_3iMTSbY9a00uRaR6j7KsxPRemAhG9kM80doMzb5fJk4hLiGTukBmtALN4aIkfTXDI/s400/DSCF9793.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638200862245887330" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Getting to watch during the short dry spell</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKufNA2Bu-71fa6kdE4C2HA6pnvkBYucOinTYh16sHLDtKavo-_ZisoUoSHAuEe9INf38_fvlAP6xzjgKUf1pSRunT1H5gCVJKb8X-Kga-KX8obRN-yqdzFK-g8bKv9F-D_FCaJQD3s2dd/s400/DSCF9797.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638203201465489842" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Ready to Ride!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCem8lSalMVWNCAi4T4LPfSt_KYttMxIPqYiZo0Y3d36-77aq2il2cIOa5Ahv5R2QsKHoeKsWNhmMv3dc4_JKsdIU-ZhWerCSYmO66YngrlgGycGnmdjB7X_AxbvdIAePtYZlk598oqkpQ/s1600/DSCF9826.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu6eSfE2U4LBQD_cKe1UhXcoGkKuU-AH8QFZpB7R4IY67k5Yu7wYi02JTJufK6K1nTINpFh47aWPmRArbBZz1k0NWXMUuzapf_bKeyD7eSnlBxa4TfNH1lFRtH-p_N_inabVUE11SrjRiE/s1600/DSCF9804.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu6eSfE2U4LBQD_cKe1UhXcoGkKuU-AH8QFZpB7R4IY67k5Yu7wYi02JTJufK6K1nTINpFh47aWPmRArbBZz1k0NWXMUuzapf_bKeyD7eSnlBxa4TfNH1lFRtH-p_N_inabVUE11SrjRiE/s400/DSCF9804.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638200853952715442" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">What is a Horse show without riding one yourself?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtkrAs6tWqGbGWlN4_Di-42q1xAI2iQDjJBFQUqHi6RnF3QganRXygZ7V2cdT-ZFSeqGGNLkGubiih8nhcxwdOFW1y9eg9a2yvhEWP8vZ3u_-RGk4YqRFRqQUUwvc5Eg_ucjFJQTtDN-5X/s1600/DSCF9824.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtkrAs6tWqGbGWlN4_Di-42q1xAI2iQDjJBFQUqHi6RnF3QganRXygZ7V2cdT-ZFSeqGGNLkGubiih8nhcxwdOFW1y9eg9a2yvhEWP8vZ3u_-RGk4YqRFRqQUUwvc5Eg_ucjFJQTtDN-5X/s400/DSCF9824.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638200848866750962" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Happy to get on a horse, even in the pouring rain</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCem8lSalMVWNCAi4T4LPfSt_KYttMxIPqYiZo0Y3d36-77aq2il2cIOa5Ahv5R2QsKHoeKsWNhmMv3dc4_JKsdIU-ZhWerCSYmO66YngrlgGycGnmdjB7X_AxbvdIAePtYZlk598oqkpQ/s400/DSCF9826.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638200858404501186" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">At the statues in front of the Four Seasons</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><br /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF6roZZdhrWToBEb2M9ZR4T_qOQ5RjsNr1u8YRhuEDkySKPt1iYecRKeDt6g3fAR-uiTlESqZfN6NMmLsSAWqu03mCDp4pO920uARh97R2PrN51XtQ19BI60DBGAHPB7xacLnROE8qYcQT/s1600/DSCF9843.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF6roZZdhrWToBEb2M9ZR4T_qOQ5RjsNr1u8YRhuEDkySKPt1iYecRKeDt6g3fAR-uiTlESqZfN6NMmLsSAWqu03mCDp4pO920uARh97R2PrN51XtQ19BI60DBGAHPB7xacLnROE8qYcQT/s400/DSCF9843.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638200842165503298" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Miss Mary at our house!</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Sort of coincidentally, the last few days have brought us back to some of our earliest experiences in Ireland. Our first few days were spent at the Four Seasons. After weeks of packing and preparing to move in hot, sweaty, New York, I wanted to relax and unwind a little before moving into our temporary apartment. The boys loved the statues outside, and we have pictures of their 2-year-old selves with all of them. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">With no car and a bunch of still-foggy heads, we headed over to the Dublin Horse Show on the first weekend we were in the Apartment. It was within walking distance, interesting for the kids, and a great, much needed day out.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Finally, on our third weekend here, we headed to Killarney on the train to visit our good friends Miss Mary and John. They are long time New Yorkers, originally from Kerry and the usually come over for August. We REALLY needed that weekend away and I remember how exited I was to get on the train at Euston Station. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This past weekend, we went to the Horse Show, Visited the Four Seasons and Miss Mary came to our house in Dublin. Really nice time, and lots of good memories.</div>Laurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12557959220535597269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4807105993927892871.post-69026464482570224952011-08-01T22:59:00.002+01:002011-08-01T23:25:54.325+01:00"Where thou art, that is home."- Emily Dickinson<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilGNA05yOFJV1j2hVc8iDYTba5OFh4_0A9Zu1H2KQO0ziE81q4VXK92xd6be7mh9MnL1e-pGO8zmIXv8PW4qox1nIz9KGLYJtC1K_sODPJrmMdTEXg3IYVsLTB0BL-HMD_gpYN9-qQ9X4F/s1600/IMG_1366.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilGNA05yOFJV1j2hVc8iDYTba5OFh4_0A9Zu1H2KQO0ziE81q4VXK92xd6be7mh9MnL1e-pGO8zmIXv8PW4qox1nIz9KGLYJtC1K_sODPJrmMdTEXg3IYVsLTB0BL-HMD_gpYN9-qQ9X4F/s400/IMG_1366.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636012409766508034" /></a><br /><div>Two years ago today we arrived in Dublin. We are living, learning and loving it here, more than we could have imagined. </div>Laurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12557959220535597269noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4807105993927892871.post-20060195662916603632011-07-31T20:08:00.004+01:002011-07-31T20:46:00.944+01:00"Summertime, and the livin' is easy" - George Gershwin<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTyP0tcJXFPIZGbrOKbN6GJMEx1ASCGb8FD9Aa-FtevIlN2LtVxV4jJBQGQR7qGoMQ0Zl5rR4K2i0sWszAI6za5fJzETNdDTKhLDyGat01LKS401Oc1DI4VwrQ3ytMvLOo57a5gn9q_Ctc/s1600/DSCF9610.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTyP0tcJXFPIZGbrOKbN6GJMEx1ASCGb8FD9Aa-FtevIlN2LtVxV4jJBQGQR7qGoMQ0Zl5rR4K2i0sWszAI6za5fJzETNdDTKhLDyGat01LKS401Oc1DI4VwrQ3ytMvLOo57a5gn9q_Ctc/s400/DSCF9610.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635602556123672914" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1KxRz9-qKXE4QAw4yfxJ_aAdh2UcWE5xajHuRNDhg4nY5H5pEdFhYRXhXu5ISMKzeByTUKu6OyPagNPpr55kc3L0nqxx9lfdQpb4d7MUose5oA66gGYh30OJxGLEB16oZ4i8alO8sikl4/s1600/DSCF9639.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1KxRz9-qKXE4QAw4yfxJ_aAdh2UcWE5xajHuRNDhg4nY5H5pEdFhYRXhXu5ISMKzeByTUKu6OyPagNPpr55kc3L0nqxx9lfdQpb4d7MUose5oA66gGYh30OJxGLEB16oZ4i8alO8sikl4/s400/DSCF9639.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635602552470317698" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkxll-J8NhNt8PjKA0OpUHb1yXBcxgyFsVXXqPMfMvIj_RcYXbtacmTXJZAiabc-ZMpDBOVWN1Gm3By69_7O_JWrDqaaHBkgOtFr_mmV_DJPseLLCQcgRXZzM7hr6uVeWuTOaMvcdvbsG6/s1600/DSCF9669.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkxll-J8NhNt8PjKA0OpUHb1yXBcxgyFsVXXqPMfMvIj_RcYXbtacmTXJZAiabc-ZMpDBOVWN1Gm3By69_7O_JWrDqaaHBkgOtFr_mmV_DJPseLLCQcgRXZzM7hr6uVeWuTOaMvcdvbsG6/s400/DSCF9669.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635602547866189922" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9bJSLvPyLf7WWDMPNspRVc4OhWXLBQ5vcZ6ZQ6t0rKPAL83HuXM4JxiwBSLLYf74TmtPX09g_bro04TFXZvYIx-NUTCnZfqE_JrqSgfQxb_S6y5H_Lbp5NfOcMc8Br7gvC1jNhSY7LSFH/s1600/DSCF9631.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9bJSLvPyLf7WWDMPNspRVc4OhWXLBQ5vcZ6ZQ6t0rKPAL83HuXM4JxiwBSLLYf74TmtPX09g_bro04TFXZvYIx-NUTCnZfqE_JrqSgfQxb_S6y5H_Lbp5NfOcMc8Br7gvC1jNhSY7LSFH/s400/DSCF9631.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635602541475321378" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGlwmiXHWy-XEvy6eAsCSN9k5mDfGaBBuTwalTZI6uQYEAWgy_BO4RFJwPldE3z0Oj91pHXftkopNBaejmUhNCpkeoblapqHSAk5yVqm5VVVThojFU-3pSBoeiXjOOPGih0U_jxdv3bN1l/s1600/DSCF9679.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGlwmiXHWy-XEvy6eAsCSN9k5mDfGaBBuTwalTZI6uQYEAWgy_BO4RFJwPldE3z0Oj91pHXftkopNBaejmUhNCpkeoblapqHSAk5yVqm5VVVThojFU-3pSBoeiXjOOPGih0U_jxdv3bN1l/s400/DSCF9679.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635598766111484290" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrz_bxsX6ubfrfkVCMxXJ4uzdOOdcGGoCHqpCBB26_pDoJsNEAE0k6s2hR4ovZ0w51zHhEy0sPDbv3dpADU4tTOU7_fojOrvoaTxSd2P3ZLDFtX6BqhX3cry-ItWa5JrPygQ-Fj6vJIAXS/s1600/DSCF9734.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrz_bxsX6ubfrfkVCMxXJ4uzdOOdcGGoCHqpCBB26_pDoJsNEAE0k6s2hR4ovZ0w51zHhEy0sPDbv3dpADU4tTOU7_fojOrvoaTxSd2P3ZLDFtX6BqhX3cry-ItWa5JrPygQ-Fj6vJIAXS/s400/DSCF9734.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635598765527899186" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyAPKTT__z2x1QDxGoO1ph7xSjyzpXaooWQST_mTsoEzj54vRLh4TzEnHcLTcSmGD7aQpNjXdjk7i8yIsV6SzuHFa2SvSJ6LPFc83A2f6_XnmP4QKGmt3YSVKMSYXO_AQH0XbfsXXaKMt4/s1600/DSCF9710.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyAPKTT__z2x1QDxGoO1ph7xSjyzpXaooWQST_mTsoEzj54vRLh4TzEnHcLTcSmGD7aQpNjXdjk7i8yIsV6SzuHFa2SvSJ6LPFc83A2f6_XnmP4QKGmt3YSVKMSYXO_AQH0XbfsXXaKMt4/s400/DSCF9710.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635598756008176546" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGMm5fvCaYEKADnUy9-ewNsVVaUTzjOFbQ6y7hqKEsMiW_jAuzWrjNkN7smUWG9BECm4CqkbmOrMiVEy2WjYMjhEitnNZ-qRkTuPaJ-K-1ue8kT50Jb0tbdzPKJYJwNR9H08HWVuw7749W/s1600/DSCF9730.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGMm5fvCaYEKADnUy9-ewNsVVaUTzjOFbQ6y7hqKEsMiW_jAuzWrjNkN7smUWG9BECm4CqkbmOrMiVEy2WjYMjhEitnNZ-qRkTuPaJ-K-1ue8kT50Jb0tbdzPKJYJwNR9H08HWVuw7749W/s400/DSCF9730.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635598735738343650" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div>It's not over yet, but the kids are having a great summer. They spend the mornings at camp, and the afternoons playing with friends, or we go to the beach or to a park. Every night they fall into bed exhausted. They are real little kids now. This is the best age! But I think that every year.</div>Laurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12557959220535597269noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4807105993927892871.post-4011886905412958722011-07-13T15:16:00.013+01:002011-08-05T15:52:47.810+01:00"They breed like rabbits and multiply like vermin." Ian Paisley on Catholics in 1969<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Qx9YQ7NZOcrsv0kVP9VsdKSCUsKkgoTIhNT8Ej38hij5i90Eix4iKeRrW0cXeUjOq73E290WEkdygoDfZHdTjEFF8yBZetbGan4_jUbx4YxDJnioFfwZyB5EYiY-CJ1EyKyfMEx4_WKP/s1600/paisley1969.gif" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 325px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Qx9YQ7NZOcrsv0kVP9VsdKSCUsKkgoTIhNT8Ej38hij5i90Eix4iKeRrW0cXeUjOq73E290WEkdygoDfZHdTjEFF8yBZetbGan4_jUbx4YxDJnioFfwZyB5EYiY-CJ1EyKyfMEx4_WKP/s400/paisley1969.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635534463273334306" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">Reverend Ian Paisley in 1969</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Yikes! Yesterday was July 12, a day in which some British Loyalists in Northern Ireland celebrate William of Orange's victory over Catholic King James II at the "Battle of the Boyne" in 1690. William, King James' nephew and son-in-law was a Protestant and his victory ensured his place as King William III of England, Scotland and Ireland and restored Protestantism to the throne. His wife Mary, was Catholic King James' daughter (of College of William and Mary fame).</div><div><br /></div><div>Today, the Orange Order commemorates this day every year with parades and celebrations around Northern Ireland and Scotland. Named for William of Orange and founded in 1795, it seems that this organization and its lodges of members was created in order to protect protestants. Incidentally, the Irish flag is Green, representing the 26 counties, Orange, representing the 6 Northern counties with white in the middle representing peace. It is based on the French flag- early revolutionaries such as Theobald Wolfe Tone (a protestant) and Robert Emmet visited France to learn about how they planned their revolution.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5TlAyoo215fQCjsl6nCrkUP9muoN4gZc-p8IDDUHwzGAu2rmzfWjfrMNDrRulROepfKjX5UT0xpANHQ1x21ugfPY6fPgj-oca9HMho9BxAppxYmk-YWRHQ8FDx12c4NHSo4FzTWOtC4HF/s1600/Orang+Parade+Flag.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5TlAyoo215fQCjsl6nCrkUP9muoN4gZc-p8IDDUHwzGAu2rmzfWjfrMNDrRulROepfKjX5UT0xpANHQ1x21ugfPY6fPgj-oca9HMho9BxAppxYmk-YWRHQ8FDx12c4NHSo4FzTWOtC4HF/s400/Orang+Parade+Flag.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635534460905493298" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330099;">July 12th Parade Banner</span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>The Grand Orange Lodge says:</b></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;"><i>"In 1795, following the culmination of attacks on Protestants in County Armagh at the Battle of the Diamond, in which Protestants routed those who had attacked them and attempted to burn properties, it was decided to form an organisation which would protect Protestants."</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">http://www.grandorangelodge.co.uk/</span><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;"><b>The ILOI says:</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 16px; font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><p style="text-align: left; line-height: 16px; margin-left: 4px; margin-right: 4px; margin-top: 2px; margin-bottom: 2px; "><i>"An Orange Association was formed in England in 1688 to assist the Prince of Orange in defence of the Protestant Religion and the Liberties of England. The Orange Order, as we know it, was formed by the victorious Protestants after the Battle of the Diamond in 1795.</i></p><p style="text-align: left; line-height: 16px; margin-left: 4px; margin-right: 4px; margin-top: 2px; margin-bottom: 2px; "> </p><p style="text-align: left; line-height: 16px; margin-left: 4px; margin-right: 4px; margin-top: 2px; margin-bottom: 2px; "><i>Its aims were to defend Protestantism, Protestant property and the Constitution."</i></p><p style="text-align: left; line-height: 16px; margin-left: 4px; margin-right: 4px; margin-top: 2px; margin-bottom: 2px; "><br /></p><p style="text-align: left; line-height: 16px; margin-left: 4px; margin-right: 4px; margin-top: 2px; margin-bottom: 2px; ">http://www.iloi.org/</p></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Times;font-size:100%;"><br /></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;">Earlier this year, Tom and I watched a documentary on BBC about the Orangewomen, the Women of the Orange order. They have their own meetings, hierarchy and lodges- and are able to march in the parades only if invited by the men.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;">I found a posting on politics.ie from someone who also saw the same documentary:</span></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><i>"I watched the excellent documentary on BBC NI on Monday evening about the Women's Orange Order in the north.<br />Still alive and thriving today, their rule book forbids mixed marriages.<br />Most of the members were 50+, with one exception. A pretty lady whose parents are members of their respective Lodges and so too is she.<br />I thought I was watching a documentary about the FreeMasons in Dublin with all the pomp and ceremony performed at one stage!!<br />But I came away thinking how sad that these people oppose Catholics marrying Protestants, given they admitted to mixing well with their neighbours.<br />I thought we had moved on since the Good Friday Agreement but clearly not when it comes to this bigoted view across the north.<br />When asked if they would support a rule change relating to mixed marriages, those interviewed gave a definitive 'no'.<br />Obviously, they are still living back in the 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s.<br />Times have moved on.<br />The young lady interviewed joked that if she ever decided to marry a Catholic she would have to change her partner's religious beliefs and he would agree to bring up their children as Protestants.<br />Very sad. Because she could just meet a Catholic she is compatible with and likes. And she wouldn't be allowed marry him because of some silly, historically, bigoted rule."</i></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2gwV8bldWqloQ8Da3bc53JOrOPAdCdAHFySnfFHmpn0PkMQWEAE1xGULXutuErqxYDDR1QUaUILEADtMrsPPR5tRI__9pMiTzZ8UufFBhTRrFrzP_S_IX7Lp2gqSfaG9Zv1AXsNDBMC-9/s1600/william-of-orange-mural.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2gwV8bldWqloQ8Da3bc53JOrOPAdCdAHFySnfFHmpn0PkMQWEAE1xGULXutuErqxYDDR1QUaUILEADtMrsPPR5tRI__9pMiTzZ8UufFBhTRrFrzP_S_IX7Lp2gqSfaG9Zv1AXsNDBMC-9/s400/william-of-orange-mural.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635534456257428386" /></a><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330099;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330099;">Mural in Belfast</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>This year, chaos ensued once again as some republicans rioted and threw petrol bombs injuring police. Although it has been 13 years since the Good Friday Agreement, there are still some people who are very angry that Ireland is divided. Fewer still are so angry that they think that violence is way to go. But I am fascinated by those who celebrate on July 12th. It seems so archaic and irrelevant. It appears that people get caught up in the hierarchy and surround themselves with similar small minded people. Let's face it, there is more than one way to express anger.</div><div><br /></div>Laurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12557959220535597269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4807105993927892871.post-14701594652459338492011-07-10T21:17:00.005+01:002011-07-27T22:19:49.543+01:00"A landscape fossilized, / Its stone-wall patternings / Repeated before our eyes / In the stone walls of Mayo." -- Seamus Heaney<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9mOmTtm-wXe0UXFkFnne5aWVUeOk8M0CFkYQmKTwAStE2oG-DGsCpB112Rgg-J3QItjiprFrwBqihmm0ALOYZp-uUZ6WPvi-PGFOBDcNWRxT2kWVt3lqy0cQqQKTxKCTkRe7FToPN4voZ/s1600/DSCF9492.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFc9B4fWwdki4dUoakt3bn5vIzXnvo2vMN0D5bOO5RaJ803UVji3crUPXelIkvus2TWY4vzquG7lyw7F81QdkaGuxB5ifIvHfyYcs37PETYRDw1GSYxEBau39VrtcU5oQ8sNMviaIxk8xW/s1600/DSCF9524.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjGLI7DSvcdlikXPRKI4WCM_QVP_bZZUwgLeSeeVhNqreHOme_FCd1omgR9pEhF8kEeMibszLY5NqdS4X4C82eJ82vqLezxyTuSHAGgVJhjJXyZuehwsvKdQlnc886Cl9rfKAEdhhKo61t/s1600/DSCF9559.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL_y3rWoG4tDFaj7R_P_iklpiXpEacSpKx84qlLDppjhVniUgolrPACDeBqYJntM4aNs4ZNWsGdU9or68H-_AtOcoIJMaLBIv7Sw8KLsDEk-NiuVspfp790RI5FQ9o7ehALtGukMXlzAph/s1600/DSCF9576.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL_y3rWoG4tDFaj7R_P_iklpiXpEacSpKx84qlLDppjhVniUgolrPACDeBqYJntM4aNs4ZNWsGdU9or68H-_AtOcoIJMaLBIv7Sw8KLsDEk-NiuVspfp790RI5FQ9o7ehALtGukMXlzAph/s400/DSCF9576.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633772743004187250" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The beautiful West Coast</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDZYSk-00Pf80UmsDBCelFClzGzYf0sz0LWjEh8_ZS3CxCWXH_wdcVWaWkjfpiI8rxd0EsU7PJT8kGadu6GGOlcEoRiyySWbpnarC-aqXZQUQpwTU7ToV7TEl_WmKFGqK5Bdyo2WgIFSaD/s1600/DSCF9443.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDZYSk-00Pf80UmsDBCelFClzGzYf0sz0LWjEh8_ZS3CxCWXH_wdcVWaWkjfpiI8rxd0EsU7PJT8kGadu6GGOlcEoRiyySWbpnarC-aqXZQUQpwTU7ToV7TEl_WmKFGqK5Bdyo2WgIFSaD/s400/DSCF9443.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633770345173127218" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Another opportunity for driving practice. Big improvements were made.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoTZBRCjZXp6GUJ7LzLG10k9KzdmY-iyFdhL6hXMzw_AfLkQicVVQ6QXUJA02dXu9fFYxaguVrtSmwE9x0RpTFjjm838SxFECwR4XYhCDrvaPgUHyyZQroy-YNRGB4ouONwYXmQd4QNJ8h/s1600/DSCF9452.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoTZBRCjZXp6GUJ7LzLG10k9KzdmY-iyFdhL6hXMzw_AfLkQicVVQ6QXUJA02dXu9fFYxaguVrtSmwE9x0RpTFjjm838SxFECwR4XYhCDrvaPgUHyyZQroy-YNRGB4ouONwYXmQd4QNJ8h/s400/DSCF9452.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633770341791358770" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The Swan boats at Westport House</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9mOmTtm-wXe0UXFkFnne5aWVUeOk8M0CFkYQmKTwAStE2oG-DGsCpB112Rgg-J3QItjiprFrwBqihmm0ALOYZp-uUZ6WPvi-PGFOBDcNWRxT2kWVt3lqy0cQqQKTxKCTkRe7FToPN4voZ/s400/DSCF9492.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634135550875950706" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><b>New York & Dublin friends- and we found them in Westport!</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjGLI7DSvcdlikXPRKI4WCM_QVP_bZZUwgLeSeeVhNqreHOme_FCd1omgR9pEhF8kEeMibszLY5NqdS4X4C82eJ82vqLezxyTuSHAGgVJhjJXyZuehwsvKdQlnc886Cl9rfKAEdhhKo61t/s400/DSCF9559.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633772745068781858" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><b>We have to find a playground on all trips</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><br /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc1BxjPhiV7ioyJY8Y9-dKwImPRr2SSweYceusF82KdBwnMQFWLg5v1jiUNL68PJaJIH1-mTUAqLcbEKkn0qAqvbYu5HcFVYrfrtj4hNYZOl0zPV0pzBOrf-Y7_3T_BgKDXSRaGgKxuCsu/s1600/DSCF9497.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc1BxjPhiV7ioyJY8Y9-dKwImPRr2SSweYceusF82KdBwnMQFWLg5v1jiUNL68PJaJIH1-mTUAqLcbEKkn0qAqvbYu5HcFVYrfrtj4hNYZOl0zPV0pzBOrf-Y7_3T_BgKDXSRaGgKxuCsu/s400/DSCF9497.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633770336449051202" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><b>"Can we play that game where you whack the balls?"</b></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFc9B4fWwdki4dUoakt3bn5vIzXnvo2vMN0D5bOO5RaJ803UVji3crUPXelIkvus2TWY4vzquG7lyw7F81QdkaGuxB5ifIvHfyYcs37PETYRDw1GSYxEBau39VrtcU5oQ8sNMviaIxk8xW/s400/DSCF9524.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633774528411402818" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><b>Ferry around Killary Fjord</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx97wfljaoUqdQIyvdBM1Sc8fQAINsVu2JCe35vlPIcvupFDASLRuzLs8FIz9zijkmFHoyD5Os9Ej9q_0cq4F6G4RT5UcjFHdClEHKRqXBvw_OxO25cC3lFgU8FXVFtWBXVxTWFzx0KZwV/s400/DSCF9522.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633765372183592690" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Dolphins followed us almost the whole way!</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJsM1cdNDjj88dNu-OPrPKetzKfYgWv5S9fjUObeNE01DqRADPcTK-jr03dyYivEw-Re0gudumr97_IWNtX7j2ApvRzwQ_DprxLjQ4a2GKKeJsWCstVMV8G22A_F6_yF7CqvzgZkcpFNTl/s1600/DSCF9581.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJsM1cdNDjj88dNu-OPrPKetzKfYgWv5S9fjUObeNE01DqRADPcTK-jr03dyYivEw-Re0gudumr97_IWNtX7j2ApvRzwQ_DprxLjQ4a2GKKeJsWCstVMV8G22A_F6_yF7CqvzgZkcpFNTl/s400/DSCF9581.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633765379515015186" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Instructions for pilgrims</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEdP8WEnnEzvKcHNSJeQAHP7ka05d_48mRW3yNkqHWIUm8sSVaHI7KV72xQLsy-uqG5q2j_N-AJ7HVL26y3vkMwgiW_wroaU4JOM1zPCEZROy8UQXEq9yyT00oOayYX-dIfI9E52YehNiO/s1600/DSCF9584.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><br /></a></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeGAM_pm6WvvkwZzGz3pnXuGwUEh5QKENrkHsiPoaJdVLbeJZu4afJMxDYujE5GulWnu2AqK7A3AOzSio0bjNUl9T2N_iML8HkdVrdy7zaxdVUF2OwBhRaH6Ep_GANy5NnKA-QUxQUN9vT/s400/DSCF9571.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633765365865728210" /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>We climbed as far as the Statue of St. Patrick- maybe when they are a little older </b><b>we will go all the way up to the top</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEdP8WEnnEzvKcHNSJeQAHP7ka05d_48mRW3yNkqHWIUm8sSVaHI7KV72xQLsy-uqG5q2j_N-AJ7HVL26y3vkMwgiW_wroaU4JOM1zPCEZROy8UQXEq9yyT00oOayYX-dIfI9E52YehNiO/s400/DSCF9584.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633765374270420306" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><b>Murrisk Abbey- founded in the 15th Century by Pope Callistus, who I had </b></span><b>not heard of before today.</b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><br /></span></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh4rG4mMHM1PVH-bCkWzLQHU_KtDAnuFUBAHMdQhJlH5qVLhAqznOthlp34A8gyGlIYZiu-88nXa-7TFYb3Wnf1Uq2M-eqH_i8eTwqGHBq1yh66s7MIdMP8GiKGIPyjfPijZOA6-tS8uSD/s1600/DSCF9589.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh4rG4mMHM1PVH-bCkWzLQHU_KtDAnuFUBAHMdQhJlH5qVLhAqznOthlp34A8gyGlIYZiu-88nXa-7TFYb3Wnf1Uq2M-eqH_i8eTwqGHBq1yh66s7MIdMP8GiKGIPyjfPijZOA6-tS8uSD/s400/DSCF9589.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633765361802674290" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The famine monument near Croagh Patrick. Notice the skeletons.</b></div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">After our quick trip to Galway in the dead of winter, we promised ourselves that we would come back to the area when the sun sets later than 4:30! This time we based ourselves out of Westport, Mayo. Westport is a cute little Irish town, and the Hotel had a great pool which all of us love when we go away.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The first day we went to Westport House, an old estate that has small amusement park and swan boats, and a little train. It was a great day and coincidentally, we ran into our Irish New York friends who happened to be on a getaway to the west as well. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The second day was very wet, and so we drove down to Leenane and took a cruise around Ireland's only Fjord. It was perfect for a rainy day. The boys loved it and there were Dolphins that followed us the whole way!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We also went up to Croagh Patrick. Also called "the Reek" Croagh Patrick is the mountain that St. Patrick is said to have climbed barefoot in the 5th Century. It is told that he stayed up there and fasted for 40 days and at the end of the fast he threw a silver bell down the side of the mountain killing Corra the she-demon and banishing all the snakes from Ireland. Each year about 20,000 pilgrims clim Croagh Patrick on the third Sunday in July. Many climb barefoot and some have died. We decided not to go all the way up. This year.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We had little issue on the last night, the T man may have had his second migraine. But he is doing great now. My favorite part of these getaways is that we get to spend all the days together away from regular life. It was a great trip.</div>Laurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12557959220535597269noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4807105993927892871.post-10307907961442602422011-07-03T21:59:00.006+01:002011-07-26T21:17:13.206+01:00A different language is a different vision of life. ~Federico Fellini<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZmPXs840DsqTzSObgtHVQNK5uPYfTHmZff6Mg-MnKsq5P1U490pTp-Fc7hj8sfWVCAARBhcxQoNrbR9oKtNnJpjGqOyNANlXGrSWqEd6e8gR6NorSHLDEn7UrjbpCb5WaPKywZ22tRbVI/s1600/translations_hl_thumb.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 108px; height: 173px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZmPXs840DsqTzSObgtHVQNK5uPYfTHmZff6Mg-MnKsq5P1U490pTp-Fc7hj8sfWVCAARBhcxQoNrbR9oKtNnJpjGqOyNANlXGrSWqEd6e8gR6NorSHLDEn7UrjbpCb5WaPKywZ22tRbVI/s400/translations_hl_thumb.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625236510614958658" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwUv98da0LeMKDZs_zfJiVXVVfDJX8Uop3HnBdlEr-MhucDcMLn6Vbw1k1Nn9_GULjX98MPd-9Hdk-c171agd37TEhOoCqy186meKdAfGzsndQQy9ICliipi9qSkUzEM0d7HUueSrWy3kB/s1600/translations.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 196px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwUv98da0LeMKDZs_zfJiVXVVfDJX8Uop3HnBdlEr-MhucDcMLn6Vbw1k1Nn9_GULjX98MPd-9Hdk-c171agd37TEhOoCqy186meKdAfGzsndQQy9ICliipi9qSkUzEM0d7HUueSrWy3kB/s400/translations.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625236505569239538" /></a>This weekend, we went to see "Translations" at the Abbey Theatre. I really enjoy seeing plays written by Irish playwrights. <div><br /></div><div>"Translations" was written by Brian <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Friel</span>, and the first production was in Derry in 1980. It takes place in a small village in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Donegal</span> called <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Baile</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Beag</span> and really captures the colonial relationship between Ireland and England. Set in 1833, post Act of Union, post failed rebellion, and post growing sense that the English language was the path to modernization.</div><div><br /></div><div>The story illustrates how, through an land ordinance survey, the Irish names of towns and villages were renamed to reflect a more <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">anglican</span> influence. Even though the new names made sense to no one. The whole play asks the question: "How important is a language to it's people?"</div><div><br /></div><div>Since moving to Ireland, I have seen that public road signs are in both Irish and English. Not all Irish people speak fluent Irish, but many do. It is a required subject in schools. Some will go to Irish language schools, or summer camps, or have lived with an Irish speaking family in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Galway</span> to work on their Irish. I understand that if you take your leaving certificate (the Irish <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">SAT's</span>) in Irish you get extra points. The police have to speak <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">irish</span>, and it seems that most <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">politicians</span> do as well.</div><div><br /></div><div>Towards the end of the 19<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">th</span> Century and the early 20<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">th</span>, there was a big push to revive the Irish language, Gaelic sports, Irish music and literature in order to reclaim Ireland. These ideas were very unifying and helped fuel the rising in 1916. The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">IRB</span> and the Irish Volunteers communicated and recruited through these Irish interests. Irish is still the national language of Ireland, though there has been talk of dropping it as a required course, and accepting non Irish-speaking Gardai. </div><div><br /></div><div>Ireland would be a different place if the Irish language had not been so diluted. The play's characters represent some of the emotions that were present at the time. The teacher who felt that the English had taken enough from the Irish and that they had to hold on to their language, the girl who wanted to be modern and leave the small village and who saw English as a way out. Both are very sympathetic. </div><div><br /></div><div>The theme was relevant in 1833 and it is relevant today. The Irish tell these stories like no one else could. And I love to hear them.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Laurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12557959220535597269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4807105993927892871.post-28869580173199402432011-06-27T23:27:00.004+01:002011-07-03T21:35:29.296+01:00“You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation.” - Plato<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEkGrZz6sFDNsYGoHKNCexGCwuWsV2RyBV-trQSz-9XYxuThxLgN4cQYI6VS3S6drCXg-r6kNOqyXUAiNvTO4cM5L3DDuQVaITSAVGXMqZflOSH3N8iihIxDdi01OZBRYG7q1HhM8nd5xS/s1600/DSCF9369.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><br /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy_tX7uPlIQXNqDxT42eKfTzomiyebWAt9NHh0ETKagmMBthPu3hLwdPI6vQcecPZvsLbSDscYKWyNL0ezOQhY3p3dK5s9H23h8KWiX8zNe45Hv8lMR6RXjkdd03galYsjAdFtyxjisjNv/s1600/DSCF9355.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy_tX7uPlIQXNqDxT42eKfTzomiyebWAt9NHh0ETKagmMBthPu3hLwdPI6vQcecPZvsLbSDscYKWyNL0ezOQhY3p3dK5s9H23h8KWiX8zNe45Hv8lMR6RXjkdd03galYsjAdFtyxjisjNv/s400/DSCF9355.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623404441212244306" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Playing outside the Dromoland Castle</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyXrLKVDoXMYaXPINPExSafXeVrS7_2vB0YzUut87FQbSwU_quOzr1cGu3G0is3qnitwe68vXlAEwzAZyTKsvwtHnhKRbAHywrcjP_l2L8Evx4A9bQzQcFpKTMjRVuDbHOKiEDyYrPbJhO/s1600/DSCF9305.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyXrLKVDoXMYaXPINPExSafXeVrS7_2vB0YzUut87FQbSwU_quOzr1cGu3G0is3qnitwe68vXlAEwzAZyTKsvwtHnhKRbAHywrcjP_l2L8Evx4A9bQzQcFpKTMjRVuDbHOKiEDyYrPbJhO/s400/DSCF9305.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623404431144875842" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Learning about how people lived "a long long time ago"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggwlt3jLVFvOpUWLsa-FlLyLUKsk4xb5nJk9zSYGs5ZtmSBb48LVbdmW5x8-A1NcWkUzpFp85zXC_9IFyqUul2ttf0RKrINWdK7AnEppi9Ejf09zcW4ZyTqhTEhuwDQwdvTF_JEt44qHUR/s1600/DSCF9303.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggwlt3jLVFvOpUWLsa-FlLyLUKsk4xb5nJk9zSYGs5ZtmSBb48LVbdmW5x8-A1NcWkUzpFp85zXC_9IFyqUul2ttf0RKrINWdK7AnEppi9Ejf09zcW4ZyTqhTEhuwDQwdvTF_JEt44qHUR/s400/DSCF9303.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623404424177766994" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Thatched Cottage</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEFnWitmyJI-vdH0vfu5e0ACf0bdrwsRxX2fVv4vcXS5PZzZEVLx-XNi0AISu_6hpCzL_eF5j5mduz1CRvI5MmvOqrOPzcKfhIlBTMbvHmptrBAnHWb94Ctc4W4PjGArK04FPAIy29avRR/s1600/DSCF9286.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEFnWitmyJI-vdH0vfu5e0ACf0bdrwsRxX2fVv4vcXS5PZzZEVLx-XNi0AISu_6hpCzL_eF5j5mduz1CRvI5MmvOqrOPzcKfhIlBTMbvHmptrBAnHWb94Ctc4W4PjGArK04FPAIy29avRR/s400/DSCF9286.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623404414375049922" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">Discovering that the water used to be pumped from a well</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiglB2w0qBc__7P_fh5z-WdqrawYpdF8cp29D3bEbmVUX3lWZNaufxVm-3qiAp_G0rs8-ntNgBU68pVYj-LPZ6bjCi13aC-pC2avTcRKVZLQPIoh5eGSbl44V7_pQFTr3IDpv-LuI2If-BD/s400/DSCF9361.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623404454364512258" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Ready to Ride</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEkGrZz6sFDNsYGoHKNCexGCwuWsV2RyBV-trQSz-9XYxuThxLgN4cQYI6VS3S6drCXg-r6kNOqyXUAiNvTO4cM5L3DDuQVaITSAVGXMqZflOSH3N8iihIxDdi01OZBRYG7q1HhM8nd5xS/s400/DSCF9369.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623405791628428050" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Ricky & Silverado take the boys out</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Last weekend was a great weekend away with the boys. Weekends away with just the four of us is one of my favorite things. We spend a few whole days together, discovering new things in a new place.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">The highlight of this trip was the pony ride. The kids have been on horses once before with a quick trip up and down a field. The smiles on their faces told me that e should try this again soon. This stable that we found in Clare was amazing. It was clean, the man and his young son were excellent and we were the only ones there. They gave the boys a half hour lesson about how to treat the horses, what the equipment was called and how to turn around in the saddle. The boys were thrilled! And so were we. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div>Laurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12557959220535597269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4807105993927892871.post-90615459209340899642011-06-26T21:37:00.005+01:002011-06-30T12:05:51.222+01:00"Nothing happens until it happens first"- Colum McCann<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj74YwgH2gP1wkOh3Q1MjbpzcqnhWt8Vd3TgCS2wDuFZsRz2g-ELaNuAKhRgn_m-w60gFYKvJPb6uGtUArdVV5aagUhrbS4zgJchL3ncyUfYxzF-5SVYakk4z4lBaNJcE8SikyAIgVg3Wpk/s1600/Tom+%2526+Lauri+IRLF+2011.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj74YwgH2gP1wkOh3Q1MjbpzcqnhWt8Vd3TgCS2wDuFZsRz2g-ELaNuAKhRgn_m-w60gFYKvJPb6uGtUArdVV5aagUhrbS4zgJchL3ncyUfYxzF-5SVYakk4z4lBaNJcE8SikyAIgVg3Wpk/s400/Tom+%2526+Lauri+IRLF+2011.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623374266787699746" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Ireland Fund Gala Dinner 2011</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsmD1rmoSQtZeHDHPrn0DLMrUFWpFxkI8zqGCCv9nQmLjX4cKktcQGePMUHzWi6x-69FEsVZOAgRfskfRyFqJ4dei3EnXzpYSzivwm8JXuFT7C38eSJ1oQpx4gV9fDhBVsHc9sexte-_Vn/s1600/Emer+%2526+Lauri+IRLF+2011.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsmD1rmoSQtZeHDHPrn0DLMrUFWpFxkI8zqGCCv9nQmLjX4cKktcQGePMUHzWi6x-69FEsVZOAgRfskfRyFqJ4dei3EnXzpYSzivwm8JXuFT7C38eSJ1oQpx4gV9fDhBVsHc9sexte-_Vn/s400/Emer+%2526+Lauri+IRLF+2011.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623374265025050546" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">With my new friend <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Emer</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzgbpQQ-_HB4vtOWcKvGeXb1tKR7WonByvIDtkbDuXU3AOzdpGhIHMK5B4eyU_NCSqhO0eQyB6fEmaxCJyUo34n9PSi1Ib1x7isfmuEDpUEeXB38IH_6HssJf8GKNC94F4Pw9IX_Xm1aO7/s1600/Colm+McCann.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 323px; height: 318px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzgbpQQ-_HB4vtOWcKvGeXb1tKR7WonByvIDtkbDuXU3AOzdpGhIHMK5B4eyU_NCSqhO0eQyB6fEmaxCJyUo34n9PSi1Ib1x7isfmuEDpUEeXB38IH_6HssJf8GKNC94F4Pw9IX_Xm1aO7/s400/Colm+McCann.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623374262218169538" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Chatting with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Colm</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">McCann</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Last Friday night we attended the Ireland Fund Gala Dinner at the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Dromoland</span> Castle in Limerick. The Ireland Fund is a global organization that raises money on behalf of Irish Charities. In learning more about their work I am once again struck by the force of Ireland. The Irish diaspora (and its supporters) is so strong, and the people so passionate and connected that I can't imagine any other country that would compare.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The President of Ireland, Mary <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">McAleese</span> was honored at the event. She has been president for 14 years, and was preceded by Mary Robinson. I have often heard them referred to as "the Marys". President <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">McAleese</span> is very popular and has been an amazing ambassador for Ireland. It was wonderful to see her and hear her address. We didn't get to meet her, but we did sit at the table next to her!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Also at our table was a very nice couple, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Emer</span> & Basil. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Emer</span> and I had a quick laugh on our way from the cocktail to the dinner, and coincidentally were seated right next to each other. I liked her straight away- and hey live very close to us. Basil actually climbed Mt. Everest recently to raise money for the Ireland Funds- Amazing!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Finally, there was a very pleasant surprise. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Colum</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">McCann</span>, author of the very critically acclaimed and award-winning <i>Let the Great World Spin,</i> accepted the Ireland Fund's Literary Award at the dinner. I have read and loved <i>Let the Great World Spin</i>, as well as his short stories. In fact, I mentioned him in this blog on February 28, 2010. And here is another strange coincidence: I happened to be in the middle of another book by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Colum</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">McCann</span> at the time of the dinner. T<i>his Side of Brightness-</i> I totally <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">recommend</span> it! I did get to meet Colm and chat with him a little. He is Irish but lives in New York. What a nice, down to earth guy.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Laurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12557959220535597269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4807105993927892871.post-59501409623541951772011-06-18T21:56:00.009+01:002011-06-28T21:36:52.706+01:00"Easy reading is damn hard writing." ~Nathaniel Hawthorne<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6SsCdllmdCAoAoJ8ACYEppUl6fpSlSnQRf9DcZ0lW08QB3pg6Hd3BDwvYPeBrQxM9V9WqLn3iAo4oPB8p93P731Xz_D6xkzO_9arj2f29hLIvUF8o6M4mweh6zrM_kVPolHVpAxHswfyF/s1600/DSCF9194.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b>Dalkey</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b> Book Festival June 17-19, 2011</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC1qYU8S3jxhlxXZKNvHCKvnqjokj2NlAohjDNPjqJKL4EKrwYUMjfVeblvWwngPcp6dqDZlJJrE2BbGGvvPxhIhfXanBdnB8pKTy8zXezDXb0laZ8bHlaHPbjK23HmhSBbOo-hNcULhJp/s1600/DSCF9197.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC1qYU8S3jxhlxXZKNvHCKvnqjokj2NlAohjDNPjqJKL4EKrwYUMjfVeblvWwngPcp6dqDZlJJrE2BbGGvvPxhIhfXanBdnB8pKTy8zXezDXb0laZ8bHlaHPbjK23HmhSBbOo-hNcULhJp/s400/DSCF9197.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623354933218394850" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Niamh Sharkey reading her books to the kids</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfbPLDQI_pTUUdtEAvyTJ2EzLzsN_PbcbwDrKScWUzJfXgPTQoMw9KQOCxaAQ01TOC4whCauZlW1Maax85BPXC78010rHF6Fenn3-eQ1h0ixTejpsCx-nORRGJPP4NkP6wDF0mM88_1W1q/s1600/DSCF9189.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfbPLDQI_pTUUdtEAvyTJ2EzLzsN_PbcbwDrKScWUzJfXgPTQoMw9KQOCxaAQ01TOC4whCauZlW1Maax85BPXC78010rHF6Fenn3-eQ1h0ixTejpsCx-nORRGJPP4NkP6wDF0mM88_1W1q/s400/DSCF9189.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619667556511809154" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Margaret E. Ward interviews Ryan Tubridy</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9tl4avm1QEdvXFqUJF0JpvWcjwcJOkhX5DsRHbi2KR4jfRhctcVp7RJLX4RlUoAhbgE_rCwa6178r0OLcHpm_QMV-RPKEotkJ1nj0OrL61u0z_PIZlAdqzL4TOHaAkd7lMURD58-XfN-e/s1600/DSCF9188.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9tl4avm1QEdvXFqUJF0JpvWcjwcJOkhX5DsRHbi2KR4jfRhctcVp7RJLX4RlUoAhbgE_rCwa6178r0OLcHpm_QMV-RPKEotkJ1nj0OrL61u0z_PIZlAdqzL4TOHaAkd7lMURD58-XfN-e/s400/DSCF9188.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619667543115026338" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Margaret conducted a fantastic interview!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6SsCdllmdCAoAoJ8ACYEppUl6fpSlSnQRf9DcZ0lW08QB3pg6Hd3BDwvYPeBrQxM9V9WqLn3iAo4oPB8p93P731Xz_D6xkzO_9arj2f29hLIvUF8o6M4mweh6zrM_kVPolHVpAxHswfyF/s400/DSCF9194.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623372093301577394" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Tom with the Heineken Cup</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVWdsEzELRHguAcMQjodXVa8yHO89s2lGY2210fT8E0tzl5LiJ7oeHn7gEqikKZPVwddCjGqZ-n7I03uFQCcJq2WzpO_emleuQdHOXjWrLTrtG_9un_yoAB66fNnDPIZNoYHAdxO8zmg37/s400/DSCF9192.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623355661966295938" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC1qYU8S3jxhlxXZKNvHCKvnqjokj2NlAohjDNPjqJKL4EKrwYUMjfVeblvWwngPcp6dqDZlJJrE2BbGGvvPxhIhfXanBdnB8pKTy8zXezDXb0laZ8bHlaHPbjK23HmhSBbOo-hNcULhJp/s1600/DSCF9197.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC1qYU8S3jxhlxXZKNvHCKvnqjokj2NlAohjDNPjqJKL4EKrwYUMjfVeblvWwngPcp6dqDZlJJrE2BbGGvvPxhIhfXanBdnB8pKTy8zXezDXb0laZ8bHlaHPbjK23HmhSBbOo-hNcULhJp/s1600/DSCF9197.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC1qYU8S3jxhlxXZKNvHCKvnqjokj2NlAohjDNPjqJKL4EKrwYUMjfVeblvWwngPcp6dqDZlJJrE2BbGGvvPxhIhfXanBdnB8pKTy8zXezDXb0laZ8bHlaHPbjK23HmhSBbOo-hNcULhJp/s1600/DSCF9197.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center;">Me (pretending not to notice the Heineken Cup)</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This weekend was the 2nd annual Dalkey Book Festival. The festival was born when David McWilliams (economist, author, and broadcaster) attended a Dalkey Business Group meeting. In an effort to come up with ideas to boost local business, he thought of using one of the most valuable local resources- writers!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We attended last year, and it was great. This year, however, I discovered that my friend from High School was interviewing Ryan Tubridy about his book on JFK. Margaret is a Garden City girl who has lived in the Dublin area for many years. She is a journalist, has written 2 books and hosts the Newstalk radio show in the mornings. Ryan Tubridy hosts the Late Late Show here, and has his own Radio Show on RTE. His book chronicles JFK's last visit to Ireland. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Margaret is often a guest on Ryan's radio show and they have an excellent Rapport. The interview was interesting and funny, and I was so impressed and proud of her! Oh, and we got to meet Ryan too. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">After an afternoon at Finnegan's and dinner with Margaret and her kids, we went to see my friend Tim Pat Coogan talk about his interview with Brian O'Nolan (aka Flann O'Brien). There were so many events that I would love to have attended, if only it lasted a week! Roddy Doyle, Maeve Binchy, Conor McPherson, and Neil Jordan were among those who participated. If my readers are thinking of visiting, this would be a good thing to try and catch!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It was a wonderful day, and at the end we came across the Heineken Cup. Leinster, the Rugby Team from the province that we live in recently won the trophy. We had to take photos of that!</div>Laurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12557959220535597269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4807105993927892871.post-32205693053391894382011-06-17T20:21:00.011+01:002011-06-28T20:16:12.189+01:00“I am tomorrow, or some future day, what I establish today. I am today what I established yesterday or some previous day.”- James Joyce<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><i>June 16th- Bloomsday!</i></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlq7FlG2LvVJ9uZzTvfM9ynuGlICt4L7E8loxBLPoxkmiUYicfJUgSzrhkRy1YsbbYemPBjF2ri9Ebef622SkggTsV9XBPqhN7B9j73isTuCL4pAMu2KjxMDvEMtxl8iw7xDS3wRPc3fl3/s1600/DSCF9143.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlq7FlG2LvVJ9uZzTvfM9ynuGlICt4L7E8loxBLPoxkmiUYicfJUgSzrhkRy1YsbbYemPBjF2ri9Ebef622SkggTsV9XBPqhN7B9j73isTuCL4pAMu2KjxMDvEMtxl8iw7xDS3wRPc3fl3/s400/DSCF9143.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619274661712998338" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI2wayRD3JUu-w2yCBysk3VcPxzXLOyf4dYPWm5rxWOvE1OaHC3IqVMwVEfbo9BB1OnESfHljLcG458SaKjVQymk2yu1PXXQ-xcz-GyTNkZoRZ6jaydpMf6rCTH9q6Gfgct57YSUKnNC1q/s1600/DSCF9146.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI2wayRD3JUu-w2yCBysk3VcPxzXLOyf4dYPWm5rxWOvE1OaHC3IqVMwVEfbo9BB1OnESfHljLcG458SaKjVQymk2yu1PXXQ-xcz-GyTNkZoRZ6jaydpMf6rCTH9q6Gfgct57YSUKnNC1q/s400/DSCF9146.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619274077293213666" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"Mr. Joyce" was greeting the people on the streets of Dalkey</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7DT-yHTgfqrtWoa86j36NqQUnm1WISn5x1Ei_7huxTijwBcKCaRUEnn1JQbVtMIxa0saUvZCmgtUaIyVEGQKwtAokq4wyHlBKzq5b5fQUQzgATp8iKDMPai17bClzciX6Af8IMaDsRipP/s1600/DSCF9145.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7DT-yHTgfqrtWoa86j36NqQUnm1WISn5x1Ei_7huxTijwBcKCaRUEnn1JQbVtMIxa0saUvZCmgtUaIyVEGQKwtAokq4wyHlBKzq5b5fQUQzgATp8iKDMPai17bClzciX6Af8IMaDsRipP/s400/DSCF9145.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619274074226410898" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>A Happy face from 1904</i></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSDBnLb2w-_pFu7JNxu_Qapp_4R9rejGN4eamkCLSDDX7bnAxOptflNElfEfYnBRC5nHyV9TWx28fhJAcW9jgdIT0uThH4eBs1G5emSmhqPFF_33TL_fGPe25uo9uIzfVEWwzU7qO_4eip/s1600/DSCF9149.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSDBnLb2w-_pFu7JNxu_Qapp_4R9rejGN4eamkCLSDDX7bnAxOptflNElfEfYnBRC5nHyV9TWx28fhJAcW9jgdIT0uThH4eBs1G5emSmhqPFF_33TL_fGPe25uo9uIzfVEWwzU7qO_4eip/s400/DSCF9149.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619274069327703666" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The sidewalks of Sandycove/ Glasthule where Leopold Bloom began his day in 1904</i></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqoTI_19D520FguYvbW800LfkGXdoNG41rVbMk0ESd9GB1i9Yw0W_xNMi_SIM9kpYF0OwIBqRJvQjxls8bh-IK6a0mguMZi39zizdsYgbb-BBhioOaX4dleIqHQ_Q55v-mCwfcXM0xwM2P/s1600/DSCF9152.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqoTI_19D520FguYvbW800LfkGXdoNG41rVbMk0ESd9GB1i9Yw0W_xNMi_SIM9kpYF0OwIBqRJvQjxls8bh-IK6a0mguMZi39zizdsYgbb-BBhioOaX4dleIqHQ_Q55v-mCwfcXM0xwM2P/s400/DSCF9152.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619274063600940210" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>So, maybe not completely authentic, but people went to a lot of effort.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Zmw8QUbWKmZxpu7BbDwYbq1fVUbH8MgynNl5d3-JOHmnn0f0cPdcrnT7A9Orkc8GyY608KTCwN_nPKz7iRW3mNwlX0xAF-Jdh7o8fyEK9_X_SHnSbN55WaKX-Mp-96DP_WAHl3Lxp2Xq/s1600/DSCF9154.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Zmw8QUbWKmZxpu7BbDwYbq1fVUbH8MgynNl5d3-JOHmnn0f0cPdcrnT7A9Orkc8GyY608KTCwN_nPKz7iRW3mNwlX0xAF-Jdh7o8fyEK9_X_SHnSbN55WaKX-Mp-96DP_WAHl3Lxp2Xq/s400/DSCF9154.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619274059994229842" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The cars really added to the atmosphere.</i></div><div><br /><div><br /></div><div>How can I describe it better than Wikipedia?</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px; font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">"Bloomsday</span> is a commemoration observed annually on 16 June in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dublin" title="Dublin" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); background-image: none; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Dublin</a> and elsewhere to celebrate the life of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ireland" title="Ireland" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); background-image: none; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Irish</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Writer" title="Writer" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); background-image: none; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">writer</a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Joyce" title="James Joyce" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); background-image: none; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">James Joyce</a> and relive the events in his novel <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulysses_(novel)" title="Ulysses (novel)" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); background-image: none; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Ulysses</a></i>, all of which took place on the same day in Dublin in 1904. Joyce chose the date because his first outing with his wife-to-be, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nora_Barnacle" title="Nora Barnacle" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); background-image: none; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Nora Barnacle</a> happened on that day, when they walked to the Dublin urban village of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ringsend" title="Ringsend" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); background-image: none; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Ringsend</span></a>. The name derives from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leopold_Bloom" title="Leopold Bloom" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); background-image: none; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Leopold Bloom</a>, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protagonist" title="Protagonist" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); background-image: none; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">protagonist</a> of <i>Ulysses</i>."</span></div></div></div></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px; font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px; font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13px;">No, I have not read Ulysses. Yet. It is on my list of things that I will probably do, just like Yoga. But I don't think that reading the book is required to appreciate the affection that Dublin has for James Joyce and he literary tradition that he helped to create here.</span></div>Laurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12557959220535597269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4807105993927892871.post-73669898689775517472011-06-07T21:21:00.013+01:002011-06-07T21:56:32.481+01:00"Jogging is very beneficial. It's good for your legs and your feet. It's also very good for the ground. It makes it feel needed." ~Charles Schulz<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjflyLjd4DjiET52H11fWkioLvGrbcRBEsHNrNXkZ1gqKTH-jG8hKTT43irCgNHITNptFgOo5SOdsxdVkuEm4Y_M7imrTOsv6kuOVgpjsIFuuXczVdfnCyrC1eVpALiWaXHFlioYfyAI9uO/s1600/Team+Angus+2011.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjflyLjd4DjiET52H11fWkioLvGrbcRBEsHNrNXkZ1gqKTH-jG8hKTT43irCgNHITNptFgOo5SOdsxdVkuEm4Y_M7imrTOsv6kuOVgpjsIFuuXczVdfnCyrC1eVpALiWaXHFlioYfyAI9uO/s400/Team+Angus+2011.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615577054352442114" /></a><b><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b>Jackie, Me & Emma from Team Angus</b></span></div></b><div><br /></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlUduY5gmqXRmbs8TWPPDLFH3rbpLMwpIWT8HUp9sKDaUEhivtTaAkwMqcOfrZvvryWspt3Yo297e29ZvlsBLPYJI_iow3uklsyXSB0Flv8qo3keidijgdyMRdh80C608TDdKhFvkeC901/s1600/Me+at+the+10K.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlUduY5gmqXRmbs8TWPPDLFH3rbpLMwpIWT8HUp9sKDaUEhivtTaAkwMqcOfrZvvryWspt3Yo297e29ZvlsBLPYJI_iow3uklsyXSB0Flv8qo3keidijgdyMRdh80C608TDdKhFvkeC901/s400/Me+at+the+10K.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615577044254633234" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Just before the race</b></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Yesterday, I participated in the biggest women's race in the world- the Dublin Flora Women's Mini Marathon (10k). Over 40,000 women, and a few men in wigs ran, jogged, walked and skipped the 10K rout through the streets of Dublin. Everyone was raising money for various causes and mine was f</span><span style="color:#151515;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">or the Hospital that took care of my friend Jackie's nephew Angus.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;"><span style="color:#151515;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=" font-family:Times;mso-bidi-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:#151515;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">On 3 June 2010 Angus arrived and began his courageous journey. Angus underwent </span></span><span style="font-family:Times;mso-bidi-Times New Roman"font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">open heart surgery</span><span style="color:#151515;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> at just 6 days old and despite a few complications he was soon home and began to thrive. Angus' life was full of love, happiness and cuddles but sadly, it wasn't enough and at the end of September 2010 the angels took him away.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times;mso-bidi-Times New Roman"font-family:";"><span style="color:#151515;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=" font-family:Times;mso-bidi-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:#151515;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Thank to friends and family we raised 1,670 GBP (That's 2,745 US Dollars!) for Bristol Royal Hospital for Children. Hopefully it will help Angus' parents to know that he is remembered near what would have been his first birthday!</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=" font-family:Times;mso-bidi-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:#151515;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=" font-family:Times;mso-bidi-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:#151515;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I finished in 1 hr 9 minutes and 8 seconds. Better than my last 10K, and yes I ran almost all of it. I am just a slow runner!</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=" font-family:Times;mso-bidi-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:#151515;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=" font-family:Times;mso-bidi-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:#151515;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Before the race, a radio station had a DJ to pump up the crowd playing songs like "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" and "Shout". I am not really into that crazy crowd stuff, I think that my crazy crowd shennanigans reservoir was depleted during my Club Med Years. But the last song that they played was Molly Malone, and it was really great. In Dublin's fair city, where the girls are so pretty...</span></span><span style="font-family:Times; mso-bidi-font-family:Georgia;font-size:16.0pt;color:#151515;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-line-height-alt:14.0pt;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" font-family:Times;mso-bidi-font-family:Georgia;font-size:16.0pt;color:#151515;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-line-height-alt:14.0pt;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" font-family:Times;mso-bidi-font-family:Georgia;font-size:16.0pt;color:#151515;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </span></span></b></div>Laurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12557959220535597269noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4807105993927892871.post-41708259449201942632011-05-31T20:18:00.006+01:002011-06-02T18:19:18.057+01:00“Americans are like a rich father who wishes he knew how to give his son the hardships that made him rich”- Robert Frost<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbwtnMhx754OHA13g4ux5f00KHQrCAoo8UV1pwHFESWa__0blxazO-STm7hw-Gb9dhObchCnbdZ0N7t1kfk6zfpj024XVpAJfNZZ3NrQ1jfKk0u_tc2bGxfh_dG6QHLLuMg2dim03I_qJs/s1600/Alice+Carolan+wedding+party.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 323px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbwtnMhx754OHA13g4ux5f00KHQrCAoo8UV1pwHFESWa__0blxazO-STm7hw-Gb9dhObchCnbdZ0N7t1kfk6zfpj024XVpAJfNZZ3NrQ1jfKk0u_tc2bGxfh_dG6QHLLuMg2dim03I_qJs/s400/Alice+Carolan+wedding+party.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612962148343523650" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The Wedding Party of Alice Carolan and Harold Scott Hood 1877</b></div><div><br /></div><div>We are all born into situations. Some of us would consider ourselves fortunate, and some of us not. Some would consider themselves fortunate to have been born into fortune, while others would consider it a curse. </div><div><br /></div><div>As a parent, I am constantly thinking about the things I want for my kids. I want them to have every opportunity and be well prepared for them. I want them to know who they are and accept and love that. I want to teach them the life lessons that I have learned. And I want them to always feel loved. </div><div><br /></div><div>The picture above is a photo of the Wedding party of my Great Grandparents. It was sent to me by a contact that I made on Ancestry.com. I have heard a little about Alice Hood, but I have never seen a picture. And I have heard almost (or totally) nothing about Harold Hood. </div><div><br /></div><div>Alice's father, Patrick Carolan was born in Ireland on the heels of the Famine and died in New York during the Great Depression. He emigrated in either 1865 or 1868 at age 16 or 19. It appears that he stayed with the Tulley family on Staten Island when he arrived. It is indicated on one of the census forms that he could read but not write. He was married and had four children, including my Great Grandmother. He is always listed as employed at jobs including a "cartman". At the end of his life, he lived with his daughter Mary and her family. </div><div><br /></div><div>That is all I know thus far about my Great Great Grandfather. It doesn't sound like an easy life, but I hope that he had some love, joy and hope. But my curiosity has been re-ignited by this picture. When I moved to Ireland I sensed the irony that I had ancestors who left this country under extremely difficult circumstances. What would they think of their Great Great Great Grandsons living here so happily? How many generations forward do we think would matter to us?</div><div><br /></div><div>I do know that I feel blessed to have been born into the family that I have, and we are the family that we are thanks in part to Patrick Carolan and his daughter Alice. </div>Laurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12557959220535597269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4807105993927892871.post-19622902097689987932011-05-23T18:12:00.005+01:002011-05-23T21:33:56.754+01:00"There has always been a little green behind the red, white and blue" -Barack Obama<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxGuodtSBRfkTOycrFWpqXHRPFmqF5LbEZNJ0PwxoHq12mSsyQIUeqqkHLZ5qF-19d5XzPVNclRbh-Fl7az3tJr4wcH0heeua_v5LymMPAFra4CvnYTne4a7Wg0AmzztUKxb83sfJ4OC4Q/s1600/Obama-and-McAleese-1024x682.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxGuodtSBRfkTOycrFWpqXHRPFmqF5LbEZNJ0PwxoHq12mSsyQIUeqqkHLZ5qF-19d5XzPVNclRbh-Fl7az3tJr4wcH0heeua_v5LymMPAFra4CvnYTne4a7Wg0AmzztUKxb83sfJ4OC4Q/s400/Obama-and-McAleese-1024x682.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609961999117520114" /></a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><i>President Obama and President Mary McAleese</i><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNTgMg3OuG_X4dlzX3rwn8oQgk5rwf3iAAwwY0I3Hjv9UoMdnhfh0U8x5oHfpy_ktpNvQQjvy4935HdAxCEfM8RZQ1uAwpWQ_HrywB_jkgFckijf5vcyrhLIPvupt1YwwBdO6PcyZrr6v0/s1600/N0637881306168769900A.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 264px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNTgMg3OuG_X4dlzX3rwn8oQgk5rwf3iAAwwY0I3Hjv9UoMdnhfh0U8x5oHfpy_ktpNvQQjvy4935HdAxCEfM8RZQ1uAwpWQ_HrywB_jkgFckijf5vcyrhLIPvupt1YwwBdO6PcyZrr6v0/s400/N0637881306168769900A.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609961994331403810" /></a><i>President and Mrs. Obama with Taoiseach Enda Kenny and his wife Fionnula</i></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>I was so struck by the excitement and enthusiasm by the Irish people about a visit from the American President. Politically, the visit is good for Ireland and it is certain to boost tourism, but the emotions were so genuine. The Irish seem so grateful that the President of the United States would come here. About 25,000 people showed up to hear him speak on College Green, some had waited in line since the night before. The speech that Obama made spoke to the long history of friendship between the two countries and was very well received. </div><div><br /></div><div>Watching the joy and exhilaration of the people in the crowd made me feel like I might take my American Citizenship for granted. I am definitely blessed to be an American, an Irish American in Ireland!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div>Laurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12557959220535597269noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4807105993927892871.post-28817175051692875342011-05-22T21:34:00.005+01:002011-05-22T22:55:05.797+01:00"Feedback is the breakfast of Champions" Ken Blanchard<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9-9Qi3TgKrX35bMsmz5NROlEMnj4cwmuxbBEgq8ZST6S613_QShmLY5GDvyb_viGiK0_jQi3KlHOOhkeTn1qjNpAAukpWlF65kzjLj8NKaocfzOUSFkW4VhtmhfiTGAAWvQ3jWIfOSlm5/s1600/DSCF8999.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9-9Qi3TgKrX35bMsmz5NROlEMnj4cwmuxbBEgq8ZST6S613_QShmLY5GDvyb_viGiK0_jQi3KlHOOhkeTn1qjNpAAukpWlF65kzjLj8NKaocfzOUSFkW4VhtmhfiTGAAWvQ3jWIfOSlm5/s400/DSCF8999.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609643977693898034" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-nAMdo4pw80Axu2vrtEdVo9pti2rGpAIb0z1zkRWXzPJCMWycd3XTix1YT4whLuDwSyQueeGe7W3mFHT4N7_eZi1kXjAW2I_FrKDWhJNFDkTPpXcatq-BjsUx1cZwB0S0yIMuvPgVl4qj/s1600/DSCF8990.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-nAMdo4pw80Axu2vrtEdVo9pti2rGpAIb0z1zkRWXzPJCMWycd3XTix1YT4whLuDwSyQueeGe7W3mFHT4N7_eZi1kXjAW2I_FrKDWhJNFDkTPpXcatq-BjsUx1cZwB0S0yIMuvPgVl4qj/s400/DSCF8990.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609643970566731298" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6aDFbBJrkJ_2_qQ6Iud97hZtZNFSlvYl8409udofEdY8g77SwP5hsyuUZRu37BnPQ3l6CtitpeShzQkQ91WPB9pZL9qtf8M5zNGmdBUtyDkT13wQWsqahiqpae1hugL0LhBZwMpRKbkBa/s1600/DSCF8995.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6aDFbBJrkJ_2_qQ6Iud97hZtZNFSlvYl8409udofEdY8g77SwP5hsyuUZRu37BnPQ3l6CtitpeShzQkQ91WPB9pZL9qtf8M5zNGmdBUtyDkT13wQWsqahiqpae1hugL0LhBZwMpRKbkBa/s400/DSCF8995.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609643961998402786" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIJDtkrgvpvS944fwznPfLe_ku9iut-HMEJRz_9WKvDdFSlHitW-Pix3R1lmzPiA-XJHA6iAE-C3LKYPxPKXypUUjfaLc3Ui5FrssPAkYWDbcXfhXYubVjFyO4rfXbVWJF0yM_FTPGuCmP/s1600/DSCF8996.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIJDtkrgvpvS944fwznPfLe_ku9iut-HMEJRz_9WKvDdFSlHitW-Pix3R1lmzPiA-XJHA6iAE-C3LKYPxPKXypUUjfaLc3Ui5FrssPAkYWDbcXfhXYubVjFyO4rfXbVWJF0yM_FTPGuCmP/s400/DSCF8996.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609643956574665058" /></a><br /><div>Last night I got an email. It was from a woman in Los Angeles who has twin boys, and it looks like her husband will be taking a job in Dublin. She was googling ex-pat in Dublin and found my blog. The blog that I stopped writing out of, laziness? feeling that too much time had passed since I'd last written? Anyway, she inspired me. So:</div><div><br /></div><div>Today we went to a barbecue at a friend's house. There were 5 families there, all with kids at the same school as the boys. One of the Dads was Irish, but everyone else was English, Scottish or American (us!). Our friend Ian was telling us about his experience of shaking the hand of Queen Elizabeth. Apparently she is very little in person. And the Duke of Edinburg is only 5 foot something. </div><div><br /></div><div>It is pretty unanimous over here that the Queen's visit last week was a huge success and a very historic, healing event. The thing that nobody can deny is how amazingly well the 85 year old Queen and her 90 year old husband held up. She was getting in and out of the Range Rover unassisted, going up and down stairs like crazy and standing for very long periods of time. I am no monarchist, but they must have some secrets to sprightlyness in old age!</div>Laurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12557959220535597269noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4807105993927892871.post-64752769939197103102010-10-17T19:18:00.011+01:002010-10-17T22:11:29.636+01:00"Get on with the bloody play"- Sean O'Casey<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2XZYVuIYzbu1XxtyqmNnwQDxIgWsOtWsOcIi21hqI-vePrg-09JDph1Gz1GmYEllU5Pz1fce_k0dC5F38Yre88hr9fm2KTYF-qwaqucLlOLTQFdVEe482YzWCuHQ46_7pD75xU3nUecjp/s1600/DSCF6782.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2XZYVuIYzbu1XxtyqmNnwQDxIgWsOtWsOcIi21hqI-vePrg-09JDph1Gz1GmYEllU5Pz1fce_k0dC5F38Yre88hr9fm2KTYF-qwaqucLlOLTQFdVEe482YzWCuHQ46_7pD75xU3nUecjp/s400/DSCF6782.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529106843693759074" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The boys are really into taking pictures. I've named this one "tired mom with potty seat</i>"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>In an effort to remain focused, Sean O'Casey pinned a note over his desk with the words in the above quote. I read about this a month ago when Tom and I went to see "The Plough and the Stars" at the Abbey Theatre. As some may have noticed, I have not posted to this blog in 3 months, and Mr. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">O'Casey's</span> motivational strategy has been pecking at my brain for the last few weeks.<div><br /></div><div>After the mid-July posting, we spent August in New York. It was wonderful to see friends and family and by the end of the trip, we were all anxious to get back to our life and our routine here in Dublin. It really does feel like our home now, the boys have lived a large percentage of their lives here.</div><div><br /></div><div>Last year at this time I was determined to get settled in. I found a school for the boys, set up the house, learned to drive on the left, invited potential friends out on coffee dates and discovered some familiar food (or at least good substitutes). This year, I seem to be moving at a much slower pace. I am <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">exercising</span>, but only when it's something I have committed to in advance. It took me 5 weeks to invite friends over for a playdate. You may read this and think that I am being too hard on myself. Perhaps I am. But if laziness begets laziness, I want to start doing some of the things that I have been wanting to do, but have been avoiding. Getting on with the blood blog is a great start. I feel better already.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Laurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12557959220535597269noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4807105993927892871.post-59868391630657152682010-07-17T08:32:00.004+01:002010-07-28T17:19:07.806+01:00“Maybe it’s bred in the bone, but the sound of pipes is a little bit of heaven to some of us.” — Nancy O’Keefe.<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUTQpSn_OkraDVMtZX2lnJMfXXGBkRFevKAPkZdL9OyVEnapkua3_ZIQo-ebB2IxD4q5yJ9uzPi3b6lVUAIHr9djwFoZlgxzRAeAz4ZkmBMoB9uX3XMUGoj_S9EDtPHREeZpC8cwAKZPG0/s1600/Uilleann+pipes.jpg"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhhoku1YFJ6uXaX9gi0EsTlap6eRgT5TIIG18Sx89n-dDayjQl4QGkOj2DwoSoRf3KowDMYrRq46m4mJjqTUpLToGnG61kiQJuP3T-vqRvJL1QN-mzXWPgEbSO4PzSIUSzLdHnFnR-5iQS/s1600/DSCF6132.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhhoku1YFJ6uXaX9gi0EsTlap6eRgT5TIIG18Sx89n-dDayjQl4QGkOj2DwoSoRf3KowDMYrRq46m4mJjqTUpLToGnG61kiQJuP3T-vqRvJL1QN-mzXWPgEbSO4PzSIUSzLdHnFnR-5iQS/s400/DSCF6132.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497376194880606882" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 21px;font-size:14px;"><br /></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 21px;font-size:14px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 21px;font-size:14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; font-size:10px;"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.6em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 1.4em; line-height: 1.5; ">There was a time when the mere survival of Irish traditional music was not at all a sure thing.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.6em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 1.4em; line-height: 1.5; ">In January 1951, representatives of the Thomas Street (Dublin) Pipers’ Club went to Mullingar for a meeting with traditional music enthusiasts from County Westmeath. Two ideas which had already been mentioned amongst traditional musicians were discussed at this meeting; the first was the founding of an organisation to promote Irish traditional music while the second was the organising of a great annual festival of Irish traditional music, song and dance. A further meeting was held in February, and at this meeting it was decided that, in conjunction with Feis Lár na hÉireann (a Gaelic League Feis which had been held in Mullingar for many years), a <a class="glossary" href="http://comhaltas.ie/glossary#fleadh" title="Glossary: Fleadh" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 20px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: rgb(51, 102, 153); background-image: url(http://comhaltas.ie/img/presentation/glossary_icon.gif); background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: 100% 2px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; ">Fleadh</a> Cheoil would be organised in the town in May over the Whit weekend.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.6em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 1.4em; line-height: 1.5; ">In the years before the Fleadh, although the ordinary people of Ireland loved traditional music, the hundreds of traditional musicians in the country were largely unappreciated in popular social and intellectual circles. The aim of the Fleadh was to promote traditional music and to arrest the decline in its popularity. The cream of traditional Irish musicians attending the Fleadh played a major role in furthering this aim.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.6em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 1.4em; line-height: 1.5; "><a class="glossary" href="http://comhaltas.ie/glossary#fleadhanna" title="Glossary: Fleadhanna" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 20px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: rgb(51, 102, 153); background-image: url(http://comhaltas.ie/img/presentation/glossary_icon.gif); background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: 100% 2px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; ">Fleadhanna</a> Cheoil gave traditional musicians a platform where they could play to an appreciative audience and where traditional style was the criterion. That first <a class="glossary" href="http://comhaltas.ie/glossary#fleadh_cheoil" title="Glossary: Fleadh Cheoil" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 20px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: rgb(51, 102, 153); background-image: url(http://comhaltas.ie/img/presentation/glossary_icon.gif); background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: 100% 2px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; ">Fleadh Cheoil</a> in 1951 attracted only a few hundred patrons - a small but enthusiastic crowd. Within five years, however, this annual gathering had grown to become a great National Festival attended by traditional musicians, singers, and dancers from all parts of Ireland and overseas.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.6em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 1.4em; line-height: 1.5; ">On October 14th, 1951, at Árus Ceannt, Thomas Street, Dublin, the first standing Committee of Cumann <a class="glossary" href="http://comhaltas.ie/glossary#ceoltoiri" title="Glossary: Ceoltóirí" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 20px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: rgb(51, 102, 153); background-image: url(http://comhaltas.ie/img/presentation/glossary_icon.gif); background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: 100% 2px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; ">Ceoltóirí</a> na hÉireann was elected. At a meeting in St. Mary’s Hall, Mullingar, on January 6th, 1952, the title of the organisation was changed from Cumann Ceoltóirí na hÉireann to <a class="glossary" href="http://comhaltas.ie/glossary#comhaltas" title="Glossary: Comhaltas" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 20px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: rgb(51, 102, 153); background-image: url(http://comhaltas.ie/img/presentation/glossary_icon.gif); background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: 100% 2px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; ">Comhaltas</a> Ceoltóirí Éireann.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.6em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 1.4em; line-height: 1.5; "><a class="glossary" href="http://comhaltas.ie/glossary#comhaltas" title="Glossary: Comhaltas" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 20px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: rgb(51, 102, 153); background-image: url(http://comhaltas.ie/img/presentation/glossary_icon.gif); background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: 100% 2px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; ">Comhaltas</a> <a class="glossary" href="http://comhaltas.ie/glossary#ceoltoiri" title="Glossary: Ceoltóirí" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 20px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: rgb(51, 102, 153); background-image: url(http://comhaltas.ie/img/presentation/glossary_icon.gif); background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: 100% 2px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; ">Ceoltóirí</a> <a class="glossary" href="http://comhaltas.ie/glossary#eireann" title="Glossary: Éireann" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 20px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: rgb(51, 102, 153); background-image: url(http://comhaltas.ie/img/presentation/glossary_icon.gif); background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: 100% 2px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; ">Éireann</a> is the largest group involved in the preservation and promotion of Irish traditional music. We’re a non-profit cultural movement with hundreds of local branches around the world, and as you can read in our <a href="http://comhaltas.ie/about/history/" title="Comhaltas history" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(51, 102, 153); text-decoration: none; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: rgb(51, 102, 153); ">history</a> we’ve been working for the <a href="http://comhaltas.ie/about/goals/" title="Goals of Comhaltas" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(51, 102, 153); text-decoration: none; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: rgb(51, 102, 153); ">cause</a> of Irish music since the middle of the last century (1951 to be precise). Our efforts continue with increasing zeal as the movement launches itself into the 21st century.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.6em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 1.4em; line-height: 1.5; ">(Above text taken from http://comhaltas.ie)</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.6em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 1.4em; line-height: 1.5; "><br /></p></span></span></span></div><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx65EERLSM_c4xFLZxR4sugd8xmX8ZypCLUwnm9RNvlBWi6jTbmKV_9caSPcodz5Tufz6fbgbWnXQsfm9VRWw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzCB5GcelPO-gC25sK6U3U0hDXKzQB3Okz4MDeGhfSAfWyNkb7geS4jeQPPv1kHnBIElWj45s-F58eAw5krBw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks again to Catherine and Damien, we were able to experience this wonderful look into Irish music- a huge part of Irish Culture. Irish music, as well as the language, sports and literature were great sources of strength and unity for Irish Republicans during each of the rebellions and the Anglo Irish War in particular. This music center teaches and performs Irish music and dance. Another must see if you are living here. It was great!</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Uilleann Pipes</b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUTQpSn_OkraDVMtZX2lnJMfXXGBkRFevKAPkZdL9OyVEnapkua3_ZIQo-ebB2IxD4q5yJ9uzPi3b6lVUAIHr9djwFoZlgxzRAeAz4ZkmBMoB9uX3XMUGoj_S9EDtPHREeZpC8cwAKZPG0/s400/Uilleann+pipes.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498992058766191634" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 187px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div>Laurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12557959220535597269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4807105993927892871.post-15524946216805364522010-07-12T07:56:00.000+01:002010-07-25T20:33:24.892+01:00People don't notice whether it's winter or summer when they're happy. ~Anton Chekhov<div style="text-align: left;">Summer in Ireland is not what we are used to, and certainly nothing like they are experiencing in New York this year! We have had some really beautiful days. At times it can get quite warm, but never too hot. That doesn't mean that I don't overhear people talking about what a "scorcher" it is! On most days, you could wear a jacket, or not. We haven't had much rain but as always, you never know. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The kids have been in camp everyday. It's almost the same as school in that it is at their school and they are familiar with many of the other kids. The big difference is that the big kids and the little kids are together for the day. For the most part, being with older kids is great. I have heard some new words like "idiot" at home. (Sigh.) More infiltration of our little bubble! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We try to do something everyday after school. but some days the kids are just too tired! They have quite a little 3-year-old life!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrKDJ3-AD5u2_26mRbNGpTXDpDu4AE2OJcaSbCUpEW9hyphenhyphenhMPwXm3AGQFepCgphvYFCLcEtCyFQ8QWCoUK4NRiQ9SUTIqwia2xic8cmwQcLatLy_QFnbmqKE28fwGCM9BHS-nfWUvkeeuWs/s1600/IMG_0137.jpg"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8J6hSFmWvhiKJIoC6Mn3ANjwU-QbdDeBzpFlxj_MEbvEqLB6uy6E8l5vcNB7BJ9MNsy6G2rzn_kp7CBZ77ZT1_e5VYVdHtXwxD31s4JYNHvT5mbHL9NPRnzOWNvOMAZEinr_hjIpS2sTI/s1600/DSCF6107.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8J6hSFmWvhiKJIoC6Mn3ANjwU-QbdDeBzpFlxj_MEbvEqLB6uy6E8l5vcNB7BJ9MNsy6G2rzn_kp7CBZ77ZT1_e5VYVdHtXwxD31s4JYNHvT5mbHL9NPRnzOWNvOMAZEinr_hjIpS2sTI/s400/DSCF6107.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497371454366471506" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Digging in the "good" sand at one of the nicest beaches around here</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo1mglKmmcgj6F6YsIgxeaAK7NrZSsYwtF7hN3OHMvKxccUuBS-oy6JLL9CZiBnqmJnw6Y7r35uyaNM1NYViUX1feHLvaXhFEsOmJXuEzitenFv7tgK1fOU7D2FQ6GcYOgeGmKIgds4-xr/s1600/DSCF6111.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo1mglKmmcgj6F6YsIgxeaAK7NrZSsYwtF7hN3OHMvKxccUuBS-oy6JLL9CZiBnqmJnw6Y7r35uyaNM1NYViUX1feHLvaXhFEsOmJXuEzitenFv7tgK1fOU7D2FQ6GcYOgeGmKIgds4-xr/s400/DSCF6111.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497371453769386786" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The waves are not bad!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgelbQDE4dIAUsTmJdiMO_lcg8lSl7FLSJpRhegvKCMRTAJutB4AUuebJFpPiDswIwLDHD8fCnTT31JsqlJd01VOG2PnyKnyNb8jCMnu2LDIgVwdaX4C7bsdOkof-hHWnO_zIGBmSlA0so7/s1600/IMG_0155.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgelbQDE4dIAUsTmJdiMO_lcg8lSl7FLSJpRhegvKCMRTAJutB4AUuebJFpPiDswIwLDHD8fCnTT31JsqlJd01VOG2PnyKnyNb8jCMnu2LDIgVwdaX4C7bsdOkof-hHWnO_zIGBmSlA0so7/s400/IMG_0155.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497366254860606738" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Painting pottery- a little change of scenery</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH8kJaoUBBMViW8pmY5521AEDYcCUJIGeRc3l9jfaz7b7ZHuDnH-aH2WJ5sKw3vALfEtKSjQqRPzUoVbw_NeXy1UHVwNaeJNi1SZu85QErtC8KyRCKGucuS3ID4tWZKtzPEnGw9lIyPNDb/s1600/IMG_0095.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH8kJaoUBBMViW8pmY5521AEDYcCUJIGeRc3l9jfaz7b7ZHuDnH-aH2WJ5sKw3vALfEtKSjQqRPzUoVbw_NeXy1UHVwNaeJNi1SZu85QErtC8KyRCKGucuS3ID4tWZKtzPEnGw9lIyPNDb/s400/IMG_0095.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497364801841078210" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Taking the train is still a fun thing to do</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgouq9L7hI2sykIL9Z75_gWS4SOPa613bZK5ye_zBF41kMorwZqfwK0vkQ6dkB3-LApjgbGpbVlkhgfhjqrZzo5bn2QM6_VX7a3Xhen-5m7jLkayFYjHceWCFu9EGw5PkKGIWpGmbPZnNrH/s1600/IMG_0122.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgouq9L7hI2sykIL9Z75_gWS4SOPa613bZK5ye_zBF41kMorwZqfwK0vkQ6dkB3-LApjgbGpbVlkhgfhjqrZzo5bn2QM6_VX7a3Xhen-5m7jLkayFYjHceWCFu9EGw5PkKGIWpGmbPZnNrH/s400/IMG_0122.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497364800028325650" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">They will go to any playground, but I need to change it up once in a while!</div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtvqcylfmN8ZzWAPpBZ_Yxs-Ju__YxpW7bU5B591osieC9PdMD7Bi8Q67uyg7MhsOY0tlIXuc0bHsZD1CMnjQTv3imAmzvj33RX7wAk8Bu_4x8ZVPFha2z1fNs31HQePEL8fGXTxpLRddt/s1600/IMG_0129.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtvqcylfmN8ZzWAPpBZ_Yxs-Ju__YxpW7bU5B591osieC9PdMD7Bi8Q67uyg7MhsOY0tlIXuc0bHsZD1CMnjQTv3imAmzvj33RX7wAk8Bu_4x8ZVPFha2z1fNs31HQePEL8fGXTxpLRddt/s400/IMG_0129.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497364317861603570" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Spinning is the best</div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Wah2R-7sMomnMRF_F9SmaQOk-T3U1DsG30ZwvCfkNw6Z6cr3zUOp2bmQwyVpOzj9OIbMiK8huqWlh5o5qENfqvlNb7RBJ-W26Meoq-8PB-mxZ2LzUnwR8TEtU8gdNef47dkZvhX0Y_XJ/s1600/IMG_0064.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Wah2R-7sMomnMRF_F9SmaQOk-T3U1DsG30ZwvCfkNw6Z6cr3zUOp2bmQwyVpOzj9OIbMiK8huqWlh5o5qENfqvlNb7RBJ-W26Meoq-8PB-mxZ2LzUnwR8TEtU8gdNef47dkZvhX0Y_XJ/s400/IMG_0064.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497364313007007842" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Having a snack on the patio with the ladies</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVWRN1ZnmI2LZmV6aq_qtM6Bt_894Izp1OFyJxcgrSUDdU6D4_9fRMWCHRtadyd8Y0Cf7Hm1A47-C4y9xgKw51Jk0wRvRdYuoeLFeQGFR1MZQOW7x__W5z4Uj53l6as51o4H__koASBnFy/s1600/IMG_0050.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVWRN1ZnmI2LZmV6aq_qtM6Bt_894Izp1OFyJxcgrSUDdU6D4_9fRMWCHRtadyd8Y0Cf7Hm1A47-C4y9xgKw51Jk0wRvRdYuoeLFeQGFR1MZQOW7x__W5z4Uj53l6as51o4H__koASBnFy/s400/IMG_0050.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497364307968384338" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">I guess you could call this homework</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTRUQGFOjSX3TzI3jMskbo7k_9QN9oNj1cXsHJv_aiKyayT8PEErTAWTXCJQa1yaoJGg7EXIpqcBu86u4PKZsHISdJMY2PtICM-ObcoeyLKTCW_1bODGAb6sYk8lWw5Fjo7dKpwLWCxk6b/s1600/IMG_0054.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTRUQGFOjSX3TzI3jMskbo7k_9QN9oNj1cXsHJv_aiKyayT8PEErTAWTXCJQa1yaoJGg7EXIpqcBu86u4PKZsHISdJMY2PtICM-ObcoeyLKTCW_1bODGAb6sYk8lWw5Fjo7dKpwLWCxk6b/s400/IMG_0054.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497364306377939858" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">We brought some American sports to Ireland</div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8PTVgYKmOMXuB21u8N160VuxyPjIcspefBOVmKox6BNggyZnKnlrsAY66KC99NyqBNAsezGY7NXsM7bp7apOQwvijTIRDEzqIEh8x5viaUfG70Du8xb2oiMCWHfl3bPd1r2c8amqkaEd7/s1600/IMG_0112.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8PTVgYKmOMXuB21u8N160VuxyPjIcspefBOVmKox6BNggyZnKnlrsAY66KC99NyqBNAsezGY7NXsM7bp7apOQwvijTIRDEzqIEh8x5viaUfG70Du8xb2oiMCWHfl3bPd1r2c8amqkaEd7/s400/IMG_0112.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497364299265640978" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">Painting with painted faces</span></div></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrKDJ3-AD5u2_26mRbNGpTXDpDu4AE2OJcaSbCUpEW9hyphenhyphenhMPwXm3AGQFepCgphvYFCLcEtCyFQ8QWCoUK4NRiQ9SUTIqwia2xic8cmwQcLatLy_QFnbmqKE28fwGCM9BHS-nfWUvkeeuWs/s400/IMG_0137.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497371903408712994" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Being 3 is Exhausting!!!!</span></div></div>Laurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12557959220535597269noreply@blogger.com1