Woodbury Island Adventures: September 2017

After enjoying Switzerland for five days we flew home for a few days of London fun and doing laundry to repack for our adventure to Ireland. Our second week of Easter break was enjoyed with the Bolen's in Ireland.

We flew to Dublin on Saturday. We walked to the Samuel Beckett Bridge, Famine Sculpture (a sculpture that is a commemorative work dedicated to those Irish people forced to emigrate during the 19th century Irish Famine), the Spire and Ha'Penney Bridge.

Abby & Ella (our little clowns)

Getting ready to land in Dublin.

Ella & Abby got some special treatment. I guess when your cute and smile the pilots let you come in the cockpit.

Ella & Abby

Ha'Penney Bridge

Spire

Famine Sculpture

Samuel Beckett Bridge

Sunday we packed full of adventure. Starting out with a tram ride to the Kilmainham Gaol for a tour of the bleak old jail that was notorious in the 19th century for its harsh treatment of prisoners. We then walked to Phoenix Park to see the Wellington Monument, a testimonial to Arthur Wellesley, the first Duke of Wellington, to commemorate his victories. Continuing our walk we went to the Christ Church Cathedral (gorgeous). Onto see Dublin Castle and then onto our tour for the Book of Kells at Trinity College. The Book of Kells is a world famous illuminated manuscript written in Latin of the Gospels from the Bible.

Kilmainham Gaol

We have had some bad kids.

In another cell because they just don't behave.

Wellington Monument

Out walking

Christ Church Cathedral

Out walking

Nice garden by Dublin Castle

Dublin Castle

Trinity College

Library

Abby & Susan with our friendly leprechaun.

Abby learned about Molly Molone in school this year so she was excited to see the statue in Dublin.

On Monday we headed off to Clare County on the west coast of Ireland. With a stop in the little town of Ennis to look around at the medieval atmosphere.

A church in Ennis.

Ennis Friary

The Ennis Friary, also known as the Ennis Abbey. Established in the middle of the 13th century.

Walking along the River Fergus.

Emma, Abby & Ella

On Tuesday we drove down to Blarney Castle. We packed a lunch and spent the day enjoying the gardens and castle. Yes, all but two of the nine of us kissed the Blarney Stone.

Fern Garden

Walking through other gardens.

Colin, Kaden, Abby, Ella & Emma

Colin, Emma, Abby, Ella & Kaden

Jeff & Susan, Randy & April

The Blarney House

Kaden "what a strong man!"

Cave

Abby, Colin, Emma, Ella & Kaden in the cave.

Off with her head!

Wednesday we stayed near Sandhills House. We played games, enjoyed the out doors and had some fun at the beach.

Heading to the beach. (Colin, Emma & Abby)

You can see Trump golf course in the back ground.

Beautiful Beach

Kaden, Emma, Colin, Ella & Abbby

Abby, Kaden & Colin

Exploring

Abby with a snail.

Snail farm the kids made. They collected snails all over and put them in a "farm".

More snails.

Ella & Abby (our selfie girls).

Thursday was our last day before heading back to London. We got up early and drove to Kylemore Abbey. We saw the Twelve Bens (mountain range), explored the Abbey and beautiful grounds and then carried onto the Cliffs of Moher and O'Brien's Tower. Ireland is such a beautiful country!