Dingle

A place I have always wanted to visit after meeting Horace Dobbs a few years ago. Horace Dobbs was the dolphin man who has done a lot of research about dolphins and the interaction they have with children and disability. He is keen for children to swim with wild dolphins. He was also the creator of the special needs children`s dolphin dome which is a full multi sensory experience of dolphins for children with special needs. It is said that dolphin therapy can enlighten a special need child`s life.

You may wonder what is the connection with Horace Dobbs and Dingle on the south west  coast of Southern Island ?

Well for many year a dolphin has taken residence in Dingle Bay. He has been named Fungie. He chases the tourist boats and often puts on a show for the passing boats. There has been a few stories and books over the years be written of this super human friendly dolphin. I am writing a piece about Fungie on my other blog  Lesley's Coffee Stop link  ( www.lesleyscoffeestop.blogspot.com  ).  

The Dingle itself is a pretty fishing village surrounded by high  mountains and low cloud. There is a monument on the sea front of the dolphin.  Driving down to Dingle also offers you some beautiful viewing along the way and is well recommended. 

Liscanner Bay

The small seaside town of Liscanner Bay is situated on the west coast of County Clare. The beach is on the Atlantic coast and is great for surfing with huge incoming rushing waves. We stopped here for a coffee and to take in the lovely views from the surrounding coast out stretched to the mighty Atlantic ocean. A pretty place although quite windy.

Limerick City

About an 3/4 of an hour from where we were staying was the Irish City of Limerick. This was a nice city with all the shops you would expect to see in the UK including Tesco. We had a wander about and also looked at the sights.
Limerick is Ireland`s third largest city, it is also said to be the most friendly. Limerick is also the birthplace of many famous people including Sir Terry Wogan, Ireland`s captain Paul O`Connell, the late Frank McCourt, Billy Whelan of Riverdance, Hollywood legend Richard Harris, boxer Andy Lee, renowned artist John Shinnors, Limerick`s rowing hero Sean McGowan and chart topping rock band the Cranberries to name a few.
Limerick is  modern riverside city, built round a medieval core on King`s Island. Limerick has a charter older than London. The city is set on the banks of the river Shannon which runs through at a fairly fast pace. It is a place of history, Limerick tells a compelling story from Viking settlement to cosmopolitan city. There is s much to say about this beautiful city, if you would like to learn more please visit the official guide to the cities web site linked below ;

www.limerick.ie 

Ann-Marie @ Nenagh

I have known Ann-Marie for a long time, over 20 years, since living in Over Winsford Cheshire. 
We met because of our horse`s. 
I had Bubbles a palomino gelding and Diamond Princess a bay shire mare. Ann-Marie had Duncan a hunter, Jessie the donkey, Merlin a little grey and Rosie the pot bellied piggy. She also had a couple of lovely dogs on the farm. 
The times at Ann-Marie & Marks farm were memorable in many ways we had some fun time but Ann-Marie also helped me through some of the worse times in my life. One of them the lost of my baby Callum, who died age just 4 1/2 hours, Ann-Marie would have certainly been his godmother had he survived. 
She was also there for me when my old pony Bubbles died, I had had him since a child and was heartbroken. Bubbles lived to a ripe old age enjoying his semi retirement in Cheshire. 
We have never lost contact over the years but with me moving to Wales and Ann-Marie moving to Ireland time has just past us by over the years. Time has flown we met up when the children were babies.
Then the last time we saw each other was around 9 years ago. Sadly when in Tenerife last January we missed each other by a minute as are plane boarded before Ann-Marie got through the airport checks, she had been on a different part of the Island and was flying back to Ireland a few hours after we left for the UK.
It was great to see each other again, she had not changed a bit except for the Irish Accent which shocked me. Ann-Marie always had a Warrington accent. This really took me by surprise. We chatted for hours catching up on all the gossip. We have vowed never to leave it so long next time. I can not wait to see her again soon. I miss her dearly tears welled as we said our goodbyes again. 
I am thankful to have so many good friends in my life. 
Thanks to facebook this not only gives me the opportunity to keep in touch with all my family and friends in this country who live near and far but also the ones beyond living overseas from Ireland to Europe to America to New Zealand and beyond. 
For those who say facebook is rubbish and causes nothing but trouble for me it keeps me in touch with all the people who are dear to me and have played a part in my life. Facebook can be a valuable life line and I love it. 
See You Soon Ann-Marie  Loves and Hugs  from Wales  xxxx

Kylemore Abbey

Stunning is the best word to describe this beautiful place. The setting that Kylemore Abbey stands in is amazing. The Abbey stands in Connemara Ireland. 

We wandered around the Abbey and up to the Gothic style church. We also paid a visit to the tomb were Mitchell Henry and his beloved wife Margaret are laid to rest. Kylemore is a very romantic place  the estate is also home to the lovely Victorian Walled Gardens. The gardens are lovely to walk around.

The story of Kylemore both castle and abbey is a truly remarkable one. The twists of fate which its occupants experienced, from moments of romance and happiness, to sadness and courage have all combined to create a fascinating history spanning over 150 years.

Kylemore is home to a community of nuns of the Benedictine order who came here in 1920 after their abbey  in Ypres, Belgium was destroyed in world war 1. Settling at Kylemore, the Benedictine community opened a`world renowned boarding school for girls and began restoring the Abbey, Gothic Church and Gardens to their former glory. 

There is so much I can write and say about this beautiful place but I haven`t the time. To learn more about Kylemore Abbey please visit  

www.kylemoreabbeytourism.ie    try and find the story of Henry and Margaret its well worth the read. Also there was a fire at the abbey think it was in the 1950`s  part of the west wing was totally destroyed. Please enjoy the photographs.