Ennis, last stop

Rowan Tree Hostel, Ennis

Galway, Day 10, gollee, this is a lot of places to stay

Sleepzone Hostel, Galway

Driving part 2

We learned the hard way that rental car insurance is very expensive, the MasterCard World credit card is the one you want if you are coming to Ireland and do not want to pay more for insurance than you did for the rental fee.

I can only guess that it is signs like this one that cause the other cards to not cover rental cars. What does that sign even mean? Cars falling from space? No road ahead?

Dingle, Day 7

Grapevine Hostel, Dingle

Dingle Peninsula was declared by National Geographic to be one of the most spectacular places on Earth. It is hard to disagree…

Tralee Reels, Jigs, Ceilis, and Slip Jigs

Wednesday dawned bright and required everyone to get up at a reasonable hour (all of 7 or 7:30–but attached to a 12-2 bedtime that was a little challenging for many) so we could drive to Tralee for dance, music and singing lessons. Once again, Google Maps was challenged by the Irish roads and did not quite get us to our destination. Unlike in the States where we rely on street names, the Irish give directions based on landmarks and travel time. This means the roads are lightly signed. Google does not have the ability to give directions like, Turn left at O’Sullivan’s pub, drive about 4 minutes and take a left at that 14th Century ruin, drive for 2 minutes and turn onto the hidden road…you have arrived at your destination!

Michael Murphy was our primary dance in structor–I say “our” because I participated in about half and hour’s worth of the class. Two very patient young ladies (Heather and Laura) helped me get over my two left feet and learn a bit of a reel. Heather and Laura and fantastic dancers and got a good laugh out of teaching a big ox a bit of dance. They were only willing to try the right leg lead and did not think I was up to the left leg.

After lunch the program included some ceili sets and hard shoe. I love the percussive dance and the racket it makes. The BRIMS dancers are drinking from a fire-hose and seem to be thriving on the challenge. I am not sure where the musicians are, but I heard they are have a grand time.

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Later, after the evening meal and house party–more later, already after midnight. In short, imagine 25 girls between 9 and 16 with accordions and concertinas. Amazing.

Sean-Heather-Laura

Singing lessons

Driving in Ireland

In addition to left side of the road driving, the roads in Ireland tend to be, shall I say, a bit narrow. The passenger in most cars must keep his/her hands inside the vehicle until the ride has come to a complete stop. Today Sophie and I discovered a side mirror graveyard. This gives new urgency to the care we must take navigating the roads here!

Kallarney Days

Our trip from Doolin started very early, after a long and very dark drive from Tommy’s back to the excellent Ailee River Hostel.

About 3 minutes into our trip Eddie declared he was getting tired from the navigating. I laughed. He said, no seriously.

In the end we had an uneventful trip until we reached Killarney. We decided to have lunch before going to the hostel and got lost walking back to our car. We did pass the store:

Shortly after arriving we headed on down the N22 a bit to Mills Inn for a session with Timmy the Brit who taught us some southwest Ireland set dances. I was lucky in my first partner, Marina, one of the extraordinary step dancers at BRIMS. She kept me on track and I felt very graceful…until I danced with other partners and realized the value of a good teacher all over again.

Our time at the Inn was amazing. A spontaneous jam session started that included famous musicians and instrument makers, audience participation, dancing and Eileen getting a lesson in spoons. (Pictures to follow later…)