At Christmas time in 2006, my grown children and I visited Ireland. It was a return trip for both of them, but it was my first time on the "Ould Sod." We spent close to two magical weeks in the western and southern regions of Ireland, exploring such wonders as the Cliffs of Moher, the Ring of Kerry, and Blarney Castle.
In late October, I returned to Ireland for a family event. This time I was on the east coast, spending several exciting days in the capital city of Dublin and then continuing south to County Wicklow for the festivities and a subsequent vacation with family and friends.
This is not our grandparents' Ireland. Dublin is truly an international city now, bustling with industrial development and people from all over the world. In our whirlwind travels around town, we had cab drivers from Eastern Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, as well as Irishmen. The hotel coffee shop was staffed by a Polish manager and a French barista. Everyone we met and talked with was warm, welcoming, and interesting.
The countryside of County Wicklow is stunning in its natural beauty. In two widely differing visits to the land of my ancestors over the expanse of two decades, I reached the same conclusion both times--Ireland remains magical.
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| View from Tinakilly Country House - Co. Wicklow, Ireland |
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| Town of Howth - North Dublin |
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| Powerscourt Gardens - Co. Wicklow, Ireland |
