Charming Ireland

 "The thing about love is that we come alive in bodies not our own."

–Colum McCann

We returned to the emerald isle for the wedding of Kelly McBride  and Michael Calvey at Loch Rynn Castle. Kelly is Gerry’s niece.  The couple both come from Irish roots, and wanted to pay homage to their  Irish heritage through the wedding.  
In the Irish tradition, it was a three-day joyous event.  
Over a hundred friends and relatives attended, many from the states, a testament to the love they shared with the bride and groom. Kelly had six bridesmaids and Michael was flanked with six groomsmen.
The ceremony was surrealistic. Gerry’s brother, Jim, gave a warm and riveting speech, that flowed with Irish wit and humor. It was perfect! He crushed it!!
The Guinness was pure and plentiful, gallons consumed during the pre and post ceremonies as well as the reception lasting until 4 in the wee morning.  
Their matrimony was a wonderful gathering of family for Gerry and I.  Kelly looked extraordinarily beautiful.  This was a once in a lifetime blessing for us all.

We were picked up in Dublin by Fiona Davis and spent two fabulous days with Fiona and Perry in their beautiful home in the Mourne Mountains. I had taken the couple on a trip in the Grand Canyon thirteen years previous and our reunion was special and remarkable. Their kindness and hospitality were so very much appreciated. They are the salt of the earth and what makes the people of Ireland so special.

On the opposite side of the road again……..

The Causeway Road was ocean scenic, and the “Giant Causeway” rock formation was impressive. Donegal was a quaint village. Gerry’s ancestors came from somewhere in Donegal county and she wanted to have a feel for her “roots.”

The rest of the trip was spent with 2 days in Belfast and 2 in Dublin as well as touring the Irish beautiful countryside.

In Belfast we toured the Titanic Museum and trekked the Van Morrison neighborhood, seeing many of the locations he wrote about in his songs and the house he grew up in. 
Finishing in Dublin we stayed at a hotel that is the first carbon free hotel built. It was centrally located, and we had fun at the Temple Bar pubs.

Along the way, I drove over 300 narrow road miles and all went well until we tried to drop off the car in Belfast. The main road was closed, and the GPS was of no use. There was a horrible traffic jam. Gerry came a bit undone, it was inhumanly stressful, but we finally got there and caught our train to Dublin. 

Heathrow airport was a S**T show!

Thats ALL!!