Back in Ireland

 The Air Canada flight to Dublin was a bit of a nightmare, with a screaming and kicking toddler in the row behind us. But it could have been worse as no-one died on this flight! Arriving at Dublin international airport was like travelling back in time. Antiquated wood-lined booths for immigration, no electronic kiosks, baggage conveyor stopping and starting.  Fortunately it looks like construction of a super-modern new replacement terminal is underway.

We picked up a rental car and made our way down the narrow streets to Dun Laoghaire, moved into a quaint hotel, Haddington House, with a view over the sea and cruise ships anchored just outside the harbour. It reminds me of Fawlty Towers. 

We parked the car, taking the DART train back into central Dublin and were amazed at the crowds of tourists milling around Trinity College, Grafton Street and Temple Bar. Maybe from the cruise ships?  We found ourselves flagging mid-afternoon after a night with no sleep, and jet-lag. Lunch in a brilliant little Italian cafe, followed by a pint of Guinness set off our Irish holiday nicely. 

For anyone who has seen the TV series "Bad Sisters", our hotel is just along from the concrete steps where they would meet for a swim in the sea.

I think we were asleep on day 1 before the sun set. And certainly before all the little yachts on the harbour had finished their evening racing. We bought local SIMs for our phones in the city to make coms and navigation easier over the next two months. 

On Friday morning, after the obligatory full Irish Breakfast (complete with black and white pudding), we drove to Enniskerry to meet Molly who was staying nearby with her uncle and aunt. It's a beautiful little village with an excellent cafe in a town square surrounded by greenery and stonewalls. 

Having happily caught up with Molly's travels, we wound our way through the gentle Wicklow Mountains, with dark lakes, tame sheep, soft contours and purple heather.

Waterford was picturesque with its colourful shopfronts on the river, and narrow cobble-stoned streets. We checked into the Faithlegg hotel, a golf resort, where Dara's dental class were having their 40th reunion. The rest of the day was a blur, catching up with old friends over pints, wine and great food.