Three days just isn’t enough…but three days is enough to meet the man my daughter calls fiance…and not that she truly needs it, but her fiance has the mom seal of approval. No date set except for their appointment with the Registry House in February. Turns out, she doesn’t need to be there…just her important papers and her fiance. After that, they have to wait a minimum of three months before they can tie the knot. Enough about wedding details…No use speculating on dates and what ifs…I hope to know more when Jessica returns home on Friday…
Jessica and I left Boston on a frigid night. Our plan was to drink just enough alcohol so we’d sleep on the six hour flight. Great plan…it just didn’t work. Although, I’m sure if I had relocated to the three empty seats in the middle, I would have slept. Next time. We arrived first in Shannon and then hopped over to Dublin. Entering the country was easy-peasy.
“Looks like you’re on holiday, too” said the customs clerk as he stamped my passport.
I smiled and wondered if I needed a shower. I smelled like airplane. No matter. I thanked the clerk and followed Jessica to the baggage claim.
Where we waited. And waited. And waited. I’m pretty sure they had to bus our bags from Shannon to Dublin…it took nearly that long…bags in hand, we made our way to the exit…where Jessica’s fiance and his father were waiting. How cool to watch as my daughter and Noel kissed hello…
A short drive and we were at Chez Wyse. Jessica and I both needed a nap…we’d been up for twenty-nine hours…
Refreshed with most of the airplane smell gone, our tour guides took us to Howth – not too far from Raheny.
Howth
Sailboats
Jessica and Noel
Me and My Daughter
Random Fact: Back in the early 1700′s there was a 500 pound sterling reward for anyone caught smuggling. I saw it on an old sign posted on the seawall. 500 pounds in the early 1700′s – you’d only need to catch one a year to live quite comfortably!
My Favorite Shot of the Trip…Random Lobster Pots
My First Guinness in Ireland…and yes, it tastes so much better over there!
The Guinness Storehouse and Dublin
In the Guinness Storehouse (yes, I toured the mecca of beer places!) Jessica and Noel
Random fact: Did you know that Arthur Guinness signed a 9,000 year lease for a pound a year? Yup. It’s true. And Guinness is only 250 years into the lease? Shaking your head? Yeah…me, too!
Mother and Daughter in front of the Guinness Waterfall
Dublin from the top of the Guinness Storehouse
Temple Bar – and no, I didn’t have a Guinness inside…just randomly walked by…
Dublin from the Liffey Bridge
That’s all folks…I did bring back a Guinness golf shirt for Richard, two Guinness pint glasses, and I bought a new pair of boots…I can’t wait to go back!
Hi Peggy! A Guiness waterfall? My hubs would be in heaven! ha! I loved your description “smelled like airplane” too. And wow, how complicated for these two kids to get married! Wow. Perhaps we should make it harder HERE too, minimize divorces? Pictures are great!
Hi SuZen!
Thanks – and yes – a Guinness Waterfall – not beer, water
To show the tourists the clean, sparkly water that Guinness taps into to brew their fabulous beer…
Yup – the kids are jumping through international hoops to get married…although, I did suggest getting hitched on a cruise ship in international waters and letting the captain marry them…ha!
Hi Peggy,
I’m with Suzen – the “smelled like airplane” comment cracked me up!!
So…you found the beer…it looks tasty! Hmmm…for some reason, I’m getting thirsty…
Welcome home!
Hi Lance!
There just seems to be something about having a beer in the country it’s brewed in. Whether it’s a Guinness or a Stuttgart Hauf Brau! YUM
I think I may have to use my “smelled like airplane” in a short story…there’s something about the art of a good sentence
Nice to be home!
What an awesome trip, Peggy!! Way to make those three days count! Thank you for sharing the pictures. You are right, those lobster pots look very cool. Though the Temple Bar picture is pretty awesome, too. xo, Jodi
Thanks Jodi! I might turn my random lobster pots into a writing prompt…there’s enough detail in that photo to tell a story…from just about any time period…hmmmmm
Peggy,
What is so fun about online friends is their photos. I love it every time I get a glimse of you, your family and personal life.
I love the photos and like Lance I’m thirsty. Cheers! xo
Thanks Tess! The images add a dimension that sometimes words don’t adequately express…although…I’m getting better at the word parts
You’re back! Fantastic. I’ve been thinking about you enjoying all the sights and delights of Dublin this past week. So chuffed that things went well with Noel.
Looks like the Wyse’s took you to all the hot spots!!!
Did you manage fish and chips in Howth? They are the best. Loved the pictures of the Guinness Hopstore, It rocks eh! And Arthur sure was a clever man, not only did he invent the ‘black stuff’ but he put Ireland on the map big time! Oh ..and the Temple Bar pub brought back memories of my drunken college days – thanks for that!
I so cracked up at your photo of Dublin and the river Liffey; grey skies and that is on a good day !!!! Jessica sure ain’t in the Emerald Isle for the weather!
As we say in Ireland looks like you had the ‘craic’.
Slainte!
Ann-Marie
P.S. So when are you going back?
Hi Ann-Marie!
I can’t WAIT to go back! Believe it or not…the sun did shine most of the three days I was there…Jessica and I told everyone we brought it along with us…although, when I returned home, I returned to a snow storm that dumped a foot of snow on us…blah!
I passed on the fish and chips…being 2nd generation Scottish, I grew up on the stuff because my grandparents made sure I had my fill as a child
Guinness absolutely ROCKS! After all, it IS good for you!
xxoo
Peg,
The Wedding Story of Jessica and Noel will be one that is passed on from generation to generation. They’ve been put to the test too many times. My love to them both.
The pictures are beautiful and it sounds like you had a wonderful trip. I’m grateful you made it back safely.
Love ya,
Miss
Hi Miss!
I keep thinking I need to write the story…or the story that I know the parts of…my future grand-babies will need to know that their daddy was sent back to Ireland and then jumped through hoops to marry their momma! (good grief, I hope neither Noel nor Jessica read this! haha!)
Love ya!
Looks like it was an amazing whirlwind trip, Peggy! Beautiful pictures. Your daughter and her fiance make a really cute couple. I’m glad you had uneventful and safe travels. Welcome home!
Thanks Carolyn! The trip was amazing and I can’t wait to go back!
Wow, that looks awesome! I want to visit Ireland someday, and these pictures have planted just one more seed.
I’m so glad you were able to go, and good for you for doing it in three days. Whoosh! You’re a better woman than I am, Peggy. (It would have taken me three days to adjust to the time difference, probably!)
LOVE the pictures. More please!
Hi Megan – the time difference completely messed me up
It took me 13 hours of sleep on Sunday and most of Monday being a vegetable on the couch to readjust…
Next time, I want to visit a castle on the coast…and watch the waves beat against the rocks…and of course, drink a few more Guinness’
you know how to take pictures. nice ones:)
Thank you Farouk!
Hi Peggy,
Welcome back! Thank you so much for all the pictures and sharing your adventure with us. Ireland looks beautiful. And I am happy that Noel got your seal of approval. They may a great looking couple!
A 9000 year lease???? That was one smart dude to come up with such an agreement. I guess he figured he would create a product that would be so well loved for so many years.
Hi Nadia…
Another random fact – they still brew with the original strain of yeast that Guinness bred and store some of it in the safe just in case…
Peggy,
Wow, wow, wow. What a trip! Incredibly fast, but full of so many delightful things (beer).
Great photos! Your daughter is beautiful and Noel is very handsome. So glad you got to meet him and see his family again.
Hi Angelia!
The beer was incredibly delightful
but meeting Noel was my priority…I love him. I think he’s a fabulous fit for my daughter!
Your pictures are fabulous!!!! I went to Dublin once and it was so beautiful. Your pictures make me happy
Congrats to your daughter!! That is wonderful!
Stopping by from SITS
Congrats on the engagement! I love Ireland. I have visited twice and would go back in an instant.
Stopping by from SITS!
Oh Peggy, I finally got my fill about your trip. Cool to see photos of you and the ‘happy’ couple.
Where do all the Irish jokes come from, when an Irishman gets a 9,000 year lease for that price?
It shows infinite confidence in his product and a good business brain.
Man, if guiness can do that to me, I go and order a container full.
It was a short trip but you sure packed a lot in.
I am pleased you were not sent back from the border
Wilma xox.