Day 5: The Day After

Now that the wedding was over so was the rushing and the anticipation. As usual I was up pretty early. I headed downstairs to have breakfast but I would have been the only one there period I waited about 45 minutes and said this is crazy and went in and had breakfast period barely finally came down but she said by herself which was ok .

As I was getting ready to leave people started to come down. Dan and Amy came down and Amy wanted to go back to the city with me. I was glad to have the company. so as soon as she was finished away we went.

My plan was to stop at Glendalough. My GPS as usual took us all over the place . We ended up on somebody's lawn however there was a Castle there . After dealing with the barking dogs we got back in the car and finally found Glendalough. It was really beautiful .

Glendalough is where St Kevin found it is church and monastery in around the 600. There was also around Tower there. Round Towers were for the monks to hide from Invaders so that they would be protected. I'm not sure they were successful but they're beautiful to look at.

After a Time in the Monastery we headed back to Dublin airport and return the car. This was done with very little effort period Amy and I took the bus back to Dublin she getting off the Docklands and I went on to Temple Bar .

That night Frank Ruane from Manchester arrived with his sons Steven and Michael. They made into town around 8:30 and it was great to see them. We head down to a bar called Murray's and had a little dinner and listen to the music and saw some good Irish dancing .

Frank is really slowing down. He look tired and he was ready to go home. We put Frank in a cab and sent him back to his hotel and we walk down towards Temple Bar. By this time it was midnight and it was time for me to go to bed and I knew those two wanted to get into some heavy party in which I understand they did. I guess they didn't roll in until around 4 in the morning. I was so glad I went to bed.

I'm starting to catch up I only have 3 more days to do so that I will be up to date period thank you all for your patience .

Day 4: The wedding and other events

Well the day of the wedding is finally here . This much anticipate event has arrived . Actually the day  was quite eventful even without the wedding .
It began with heading to the airport to pick up the car. I got to the airport and realized I had left my passport and my money at the front desk at the hotel. Before I went into much of a panic I called the rental car company and they said I didn't need my passport to get the car then I called the hotel where I was going and they said I also didn't need my passport. This led me to call the hotel that I had just checked out of and they said they would hold my stuff in the safe until I came back from the wedding. This allowed me to breathe a sigh of relief and move on to the wedding venue.

The road to Wicklow was one straight shot on the highway. It took a little over an hour but not really a Scenic ride. I made it to the hotel with plenty of time to check-in even though they wouldn't let me until after the ceremony into change which I did in the parking lot. I was actually just one of many who did the same thing.

The hotel in the surrounding area was beautiful. It was right on the water and there was a nice breeze blowing. When I first got there it was raining but as the after noon when on the sun came out and it was beautiful pictures the two grooms. The ceremony took place around 2:30 and they had written the words and everything themselves. Several people do readings and there two mothers participated in a candle lighting ceremony joining two families. It was a really happy occasion.

Following the ceremony there was a champagne and sandwich reception and a clubhouse overlooking the water. It was lovely. People mingled for about 45 minutes and then they had about an hour to an hour and a half to check into their rooms and get settled before the actual reception began. I did this and I had a beautiful room overlooking the water.

At 5:30 people assembled in the main Ballroom and the families were introduced and the festivities begin. The meal was served from 6 to 9 p.m. it began with an appetizer of chicken ala King then it choice of entrees which I had a turkey and ham with stuffing and dessert for assorted pettifores. I certainly didn't leave the table hungry.

I was sitting with Lynn Ruane, the Senator, her partner Ronan, her mother Bernie, Michael Ruane brother Noel, and Noel's son Michael and his girlfriend Karen. It was an interesting group of people to be with. I had a long conversation with Lynn about number 45 and weather all the things they hear in Ireland are true. Of course they are and they only hear half the story. She talked about her work in the Senate and Ronan spoke of his work raising money Irish charities. They will be coming to Boston in October to hit up some of the wealthy Irish to donate.

Noel talked about all the different jobs he's had over the years and his travel. He's been all over the world and he's truly an interesting individual. He's very spry for 81. His son Michael Works in construction and Karen became engaged the day after the wedding. Another happy event.

I found Lynn to be fascinating and very interesting. She has an unbelievable background and she has been offered a book deal to write about her life. She seems to love her work and she will graduate from Trinity this fall. She has much to be proud of. Just so you'll know the relationship her Father, John Ruane, was my father's first cousin.
As the evening progressed the bar got busier and busier. People's language became more vulgar and I was really ready to go to bed by about 10:30. However I hung on until 1 AM. Good thing I hung in as I would have missed the midnight snack of fried chicken, pizza slices, and egg rolls. Food was unbelievable. People were dancing up a storm and a good time was really had by all.

I thought as an outsider I might be out of place at the wedding. They really don't know me all that well and I don't know them but really I felt like I've known them all my life. They were genuinely happy to have me there and I felt very welcomed by everyone. It truly was a wonderful experience.

Day 2: Family

Day 2. Sunny day in Dublin. I actually got sunburned today.

I walked around and got reacquainted with Dublin. It really is a very small City but it certainly is bustling with tourists and locals doing their day-to-day routines. The Liffey River is the focal point of the city. It's not very clean but it's here.

I met David and Dan for lunch. They had a friend from Florida along with them named Amy. She was very nice. During lunch the best man and his partner and his mother all joined us. It was really quite delightful but I have to admit I found it very difficult to follow the conversation. Their accents all seem to blend together.

After lunch, Dan Amy and I went to Butler's chocolate house. We had a coffee in a chocolate and it was really delightful. We walked around the different shops and it was really a lot of fun. While having lunch, I heard from Michael Ruane and he and his wife invited me for dinner along with Josie and Ann.

I took some time to rest and then I took the luas, which is their tram, and took the ride out to Michael's house. It's a long ride but it's very pleasant. I found house easily and they were all sitting out in the garden.

It's really amazing how I've only known these people for such a short time yet as we talked it feels like we've known each other all our lives. Each of our experiences with family is not unlike the rest of us. It was just a wonderful . While were there, the rest of Michael's children all came in to say hello. There was Sinead, Michael and Eamon. I had met them all except for Eamon and it was a delight to see them.

The evening flew by and all of a sudden it was 10 and I had not been to bed for 2 days. Time to go home and sleep.

Day 3 Meeting up With Lee

Another day of sightseeing is here . I've really gotten behind on the blog what happens if I forget those little things that I so much wanted to my daily diatribe .

I started today by walking of George Street and going back and looking at some of the places where I had been the day before with David and Dan. I especially like the area around the arcade market and Grafton Street. I also managed to get to Christchurch and walk around Dublin Castle .

Personally I think both the church and the C
astle are are grim reminders of all the years the British brutalised the Irish . I refuse to spend money going to the Castle or the church .

For lunch I grabbed a sandwich and I brought it down to the river and said along the river and had my lunch . The river is a very interesting place period there are people having lunch and people having coffee . There were people making out and people drunk and passed out . There are people just sitting there and taking in the sights much like myself . Much like home the population is diverse and you can hear every language spoken as people walk by . Unfortunately there are so many people who are their high on drugs or loaded on alcohol . Many are just sitting there or laying there I just passed out .

I do like it as a place to people watch . Later in the afternoon I walked up to meet Lee at St Stephen's Green . He is on a very strict diet and was unable do you have anything to eat but he did have a cup of coffee. It was wonderful to see him . We talked for a long time as we had so much to catch up on . We met at about 6:30 and we talked until 9:30 . It was so good to see him .

Another day gone.

And away I go!

Things did not start off well today. I was notified that my plane to New York was going to be an hour and a half late. I still have plenty of time to make my connection but I was not positive that my luggage would make the journey.

I went to the desk and asked about the conditions in New York and what I have to change terminals. The airline personnel at the desk couldn't have been nicer and she suggested that she put me on the direct flight from Boston to Dublin. I could have kissed her. So although I have to wait in the airport until 10 I do not have to make that extra trip to New York.

Things seem to be going well.