We headed off to her sisters Brigid’s house where we stayed for the first night. Oi was wanting to chat and share some craic but after a drink of water himself headed for bed and a wee nap.

I was enjoying my time with Josie, we'd headed off down the street to get some curtains for Brigid’s house and we found some lovely burgundy curtains and a pretty flowery duvet cover (that’s a doona cover in Tassie).

Had a meal with the tree of them and then the wee lad headed off to bed for the night and so ended day 1 of my trip to Ireland 2004.

Himself celebrated Mass and had lunch with Carmel and Francis – Oi got mentioned but it seems like himself decided that Oi'm on a diet.

Then we all headed out off to meet Catherine and Sean – they're the wee couple your man is marrying later in the month. He also met Mary and Paddy – the parents of the groom (Mary is Josie’s sister which is how he gets to work whilst in Ireland). After a good wee visit with them we headed off to Knock where we're staying for the next few nights. Me and himself have a double room and Josie is next door so we're going to have a good sleep and then do some touring tomorrow.

First stop on the road was Crough Patrick, a place of penance out on Clew Bay, Co Mayo. The weather was overcast and it looked like rain so himself was happy that the signs all round said that it was unsafe to climb if it was foggy or raining. If the truth be known Oi don't tink that he ever intended to climb the mountain but was quick at the being tankful that it was not recommended.

After that we headed off to Achill Island. It was amazing – all the wild rhododendrons all round the island were really amazing and even though there was a heavy misht the whole day was a really great day.

Himself took lots of photos of the flowers – sometink that he’s never been doing before this.

Back at the hotel and we just had a little G&T before our meal – needed some ice from the restaurant – and then we headed off to dinner. It was nice meal and we all enjoyed ourselves immensely.

Trying to write up me pages and himself is chattering away about wanting to do something about setting up the computer for the programs that he wants to put onto the laptop.

Now Oi'm heading for bed, spect that himself will have a wee wine before heading to his bed.

Before leaving Knock we, all tree of us, wandered round and looked at the Shrine - we were a little early for all the tourists but himself took some photos to show what it was like.

Leaving Knock we headed towards Sligo and Bundoran stopping only at a service station for a comfort stop and then there seemed to be some problem – Oi wasn't sure what was happening but it seems that herself had left the car keys in the toilets.

Back on the road and we arrived at Donegal about lunchtime. Went looking for the Magee Clothing factory for a wee look but were told to go back into the town to look at their shop but the wee lad looked at a jacket costing €299 tey decided tat looking was enough so tey headed off to have someting to eat at a really grand place where it was a nautical setting.

The next stage of our driving through the country was via some winding wee roads where if you met another car on the road it was one too many. We got to Port Nua and found the house – it is right on the top of the hill overlooking Gweebarra Bay. It was still overcast but not too bad and the house has plenty of rooms so we can be near each other or have space depending on how we feel.

Because we had a good meal in Donegal we've just had toast for tea and himself is looking like he might be wanting to go to bed so herself and Oi have said goodnight to him and we've been watching a Phil Coulter & Friends program on TV and now we've heading for bed.

We stopped at the Viking House Hotel which at one stage was owned and run by Daniel O’Donnell – the Irish lad who is singing in Tasmania this same weekend as Detach in his home town. We went down the road to An Chruit (Cruit Island) where Daniel and his wife Majella have their new home – it is still being worked on so herself drove part way up the drive way and himself jumped out and took some photos.

Then back to the hotel for some lunch before we headed back to Port Nua – himself has some washing to get off the line because his store of clothing is running close to him being a wee embarrassment in the near future.

Himself headed of for a wee sleep before we sat down for an evening meal and now now the tree of us are sitting watching the TV in a very pleasant room overlooking the harbour. Oi tought that summer nights in Tassie were long but last night it was almost 10pm when it got really dark so daylight saving in Ireland works well too.

I'm sure that himself will be heading off to bed shortly – Oi'm only sad that because we have no phone line Oi can't load this page onto the web until sometime later this week.

After herself woke which was a wee bit later than himself and after we'd had breakfast we had Mass – not that different if we'd been in Tassie because today would have been a Tunnack Mass and there have been times when there has been only one or two at that Mass.

All tree of us then headed out for a walk along the beach – the weather wasn't that grand but the beach was great. After a short time his leg started playing up so we came back home and had a bite to eat.

This afternoon we had time in front of the TV watching West Meath beat Dublin in the Gaelic Football at Croke Park. Then we watched the Hurling game between Tipperary and Waterford. West Meath beat the odds and won their game by two points and Waterford won by one point in their game. Herself got really excited and she tells me her brother would have been worse. Oi watched the my man get excited (Geelong won yesterday as well) but herself got really active.

Tonight we had a pork steak – beautifully cooked and then we sat round and himself tried to be a teacher and show some tricks on the Palm Tungsten and the computer as well.

Now he’s ready for bed and Oi suspect that he'll sleep well tonight.

Left and headed off to Burtonport where we intended to travel to Arranmore Island for the day. Well, himself was the navigator and told herself which road to travel and the next thing we knew we were back in Cionn Caslach, driving past the Viking House Hotel – Daniel's old hotel – it seems that himself is going to see more and more of that wee place every time he goes out.

Eventually we got back to Burtonport and found where he'd missed the turnoff – hidden within a whole lot of election signs (at least that’s what himself said was the reason they'd missed the sign the first time.

The trip out on the ferry was good with the tree of us at the stern of the ferry getting our hair blown in the wind, at least Oi would have if I'd had some hair. We walked up to the local pub, the Glen Hotel, and herself had a half of Guinness and we all sat outside and watched some wee lads playing in the garden – today is a Bank Holiday and so there were more people around than usual.

We rang for Sparky, the local taxi driver to take us round the Island – we had been advised that because it was the end of the weekend we could get the car across to the Arranmore but we might not get back. Well, Sparky eventually arrived and we headed off, firstly to a church where he dropped us off and then said he would be back later as he had some other people to drop off somewhere. Lucky that Josie was with us because neither your man nor myself would understand a word he was saying. Well, Oi tought that Josie knew what was happening but as soon as he dropped us off she said she didn't have a clue what he'd said.

Anyway, after a time he came back and we headed off and found the Mass Stone high on a steep slope above a beach on the far side of the island and just below where the road now runs. From there we headed out to the northern end of the island to the lighthouse and passed a memorial built by some descendants of islanders who had gone to the USA to Lake Beaver, Michigan, and who commemorated the union of the two places. The cliffs and the scenery were really wonderful and we enjoyed listening to every tird word that Sparky said, at least those were the ones we understood.

Back to the pier to line up to catch the ferry back to Burtonport and with all the others who'd been on the island during the weekend – Josie was glad we hadn't taken the car because there were still a long queue waiting for a ferry back as we pulled away.

Himself drove most of the way back to Port Nua and when we arrived home we settled in for a quiet night with a wee bit of the TV and then bed – the sea air has made me a wee bit tired even after all the extra sleep Oi've been getting since Oi arrived in Ireland a wee bit less than a week ago.

We headed off towards Letterkenny & Derry. The first thing we saw on the way was the hillsides that had been cleared of forest plantation – it looked much like areas of Tassie that the wee lad and Oi are quite used to seeing.

First stop on our ABC tour today (one of Pastoral Team in Tassie calls when ever you stop to visit a Church it is Another B Church tour) but Oi Derby say it. It was a really beautiful Church in the Fahan Parish (probably the Fahan Church itself), it was really well looked after – there were 7 men working in the grounds and they were all busy.

From there we continued onto Letterkenny where we stopped for fuel and herself had a chat with your man at the station who gave us really good directions as to where to go and what to do when we got to Derry.

We found a parking space in the Quayside car park and it was £1 for 3 hours so we had plenty of time for a wander round the town.

After the other two stopped to spend 10p (himself only had a £1 so it was an expensive stop for him) we wandered round the walls of the city. Derry is also known as the maiden city – or so we were told by your man at Letterkenny – because the walls of the city were never breached – Oi asked himself what it meant but he told me not to worry.

We then went into the Guildhall where we looked at the Council Chambers. We could have gone and sat in on the Bloody Sunday Enquiry that is running at the moment but we decided not to.

From there we went round the corner to the Harbour Museum where we looked at some of the history of Derry and some of the things that have shaped their past and things which have influenced their present. It was really well done and very informative.

From there we headed round another corner and headed into a pub to have something to eat – again Oi was the one who ate the least but we all enjoyed our meals.

Then himself wanted to check the AFL Football scores so we headed up the hill to an internet café where he sat down and found that Geelong had won by 46 points and he was able to fix up the Parish records so that people could know that Ruby’s hairdresser had won the money this week.

As we headed out of Derry we went to Buncranna and saw the most northern of the schools that herself has to deal with when she is not on holidays. From there we decided to take the scenic route back to Port Nua. It took us round the southern section of Glenveagh National Park – we travelled for almost 45 minutes and one car passed us from either direction – at one stage Oi tought that we might be lost but eventually we came out onto a road where it all looked familiar so Oi sat back and we got home.

Now having a bite to eat and will probably be having an early night – the two of them can do what they like tonight because Oi tink Oi will be in bed before too much longer.

We started off by heading out to Glenties and from there continued up to Fintown then through to Stranorlar/Ballybofey – twin towns on the Finn River and saw another of the schools that herself is responsible for. The youngsters were just coming out after having completed their first Leaving Cert exam so there CRT too much joy.

We headed along the road to Castlefinn where we had a BLT for lunch before continuing down the ‘road’ to Castlederg – Oi use the term lightly because some of the parts of the road were so narrow that even a car built for my size would hardly fit through.

Eventually we got to Pettigo and then continued up the road to Lough Derg – also known as St Patrick’s Purgatory. Oi must be one of the lucky people because herself asked whether Oi could have a look at the place and Oi condescended to invite himself to join us to see where people go for their time of pilgrimage. Lucky Oi was with himself because Oi was able to get round the place without being trodden on.

Everyone who goes to Lough Derg takes off their shoes and as they continue through their Pilgrimage they go without sleep for well over 24 hours and fast for most of their time there. We got a chance to meet Mons Richard Mohan the prior of Lough Derg as well as a young Army Chaplain who was there for a few days assisting.

The trip back to Portnua was just as interesting as we travelled back via Donegal. As Oi said above Oi've sure seen lots of Ireland’s North West in these past few days.

Himself just celebrated Mass for all the Leaving Cert students and he’s now having a wee G&T whilst Oi'm working away at this page. Oi know that he’s getting a bit anxious as he wants to get his weekly news back to New Norfolk for their newsletter but Oi tink that Oi'm have to wait until tomorrow morning to send it off.

Herself is getting something ready for tea so it looks as if we are all busy – hopefully tomorrow we will have a quiet day and Oi can get a bit of a rest in the morning.

I was the only one who stayed awake all day because herself went back to bed in the morning and himself wandered off just after lunch. They must be getting old or the holidays are doing both of them some good.

It looks like they're heading off to bed for an early night – mind you it is hard to tell what is an early night because it stays light here until well after 10.30pm at night. Himself took a photo the other night whilst the news was being read at 9.30pm and it was still light.

Then it gets light early as well – sometime after 4am the sky brightens considerably. So at 10pm it is an early night.

Woke late and did some cleaning of the houseen in preparation for leaving tomorrow.

After lunch we all headed for bed, yes even Oi decided that a sleep wouldn't hurt me.

About an hour or two later we all headed out for a walk along the strand at Portnua and managed to walk for well over 45 minutes. Oi tought that your man might not make it but he did.

Then he surprised all of us by cooking the evening meal and Oi must say that it was alright even if it was Italian in an Irish setting.

Whatever time it Oi'm heading off to bed – they have had a red wine or two and it looks like it might be a slightly longer night for them.

We woke reasonably early and, after spending time cleaning the houseen, we headed off to Ennistymon. When himself went down to the local shop where Enlistment loaded web pages and got my emails he and some of the others in the shop smelt that someting was burning and so they were all running round checking tings all over the place but could only find a motor to a fan that was hot so they turned it off and hoped that the problem was solved.

Anyway, after breakfast the tree of us headed out towards Knock as our first stop as that was where himself was to collect his little sound system which he'd left there a week ago and tought that he'd lost.

After collecting the player we continued on towards Gal way where we caught up with Una Finneran, a friend of Josie’s and the lady we will be staying with next week. At present she is in hospital but should be out in a few days time.

Then we went round to the Corrib Hotel where we met up with Pat & Christine O’Halloran who are just finishing their holidays and who will be returning to Tassie next Tuesday. It was good to chat with them and to hear someting of their adventures. After we left them we continued onto Ennistymon where we will be staying for the next two nights. Our room has two big beds so Oi won't be having to sleep in the same bed as himself and when Oi looked at Josie’s room she has the same.

We all went down to the restaurant to eat but decided that tonight we'd eat in the bar. The meal was good but it took forever to arrive so when we finished we didn't stay for the entertainment but decided to head off to bed. Himself is having a shower as Oi write this so Oi suspect that it will be lights out as soon as he’s finished.

After we all had finished our meal we headed off to the Allwee Caves. Herself had been there before so after someting to drink himself and meself set off with the tour guide and wandered into the hills and enjoyed the tour. To get there we had been through the hills and dales of the Burren and managed to see some wonderful views and all.

After the caves we headed off further into the Burren and found an old burial site – mind you there were tree buses and heaps of cars there so when Oi say we found it – well …

From there we headed our to the Cliffs of Moher and found another great heap of buses and cars all over the place. De people were everywhere and some of them didn't read the signs because they were told that it was dangerous to climb over the wall to get closer to the cliff edge but they seemed not to take any notice and there were people everywhere who were doing the wrong ting.

After getting back to the car we drove quietly back to Ennistymon and went up to our room and your man celebrated Mass for us – we were so tired that going out to the local Church for 5pm Mass would have been the end.

Anyway, after Mass we got ready to head off to the dining room where we settled into a really grand meal – 4 courses they had and all Oi had was the soup – Oi was still full after breakfast and couldn't eat anyting else.

Oh, by the way. As we were driving round we got to Lisdoonvarna and passed a wee little establishment called the Monks Seafood Bar and Restaurant. Oi got herself to stop and Oi went back and tried to say hello but they were all too busy and didn't find your man anyway so Oi took a photo and then we headed off to the Cliffs of Moher.

Now it is time for bed and Oi tink the pair of them will sleep well tonight – me, Oi've got a good conscience so Oi sleep well every night.

After packing the car we headed round the road to the Church of Our Lady & St Michael, the Parish Church for Ennistymon, to see if anyone knew of Fr Peter Murphy, your man who'd been PP of New Norfolk for many years back in the 50-70’s. The local PP tought he knew someone who'd been a Murphy but she'd died some years ago so he wasn't sure but we looked round before heading off into the hills of the Burren again.

We went along this road that we tought would be an easy way to get to the Burren Perfumery and we found ourselves stuck behind some men who were doing so road works. Stuck was the word because if we'd tried to get past them we would have been stuck to the tar for some time. Oi don't know too many people who would have seen as much of the Burren in just two days as the tree of us have seen.

After smelling the perfume and having something to drink and a scone to eat we got back onto a ‘main’ road of sorts and came up to Galway and called to see Una again to get the key to her house where we will be staying for the next few days. Sadly Una is still in hospital but herself and Josie go back a wee way and so we can stay without any troubles.

Herself is doing some washing in a washing machine instead of in the sink as we were doing at Portnua. We'll also be cooking a wee bit later because Anthony, Una son, and Richard Matthews a priest Oi met with himself at Killucan back in 2001 when we were at Marianella are coming for dinner.

Then bed and since there are two beds in the room upstairs tere is a good chance that Oi'll be able to sleep well again tonight.

There was some major roadworks that held us up for some time – after yesterday however it seemed just a few minutes. It seems that your man is getting a bit less hassled by things going wrong so he really must be on holidays.

When we got to Rossaveel, the place where the ferries leave from they almost decided that the weather wasn't good enough and turned back but only got as far as the corner and decided that we would go. Oi was sitting in the back and tinking that it seemed a waste of a day to go that far and decide not to go so my tinking must have been like a little conscience that made them tink and have a go.

Well it was a grand day. We joined lots of people on the ferry (one of tree that went out about the same time) and headed for Inishmore, the largest of the tree islands. When we arrived we were surrounded by people offering to show us the island – from a fellow with a horse drawn cart to your man in a mini-bus. We went in the mini-bus and your man turned out to be the local school bus driver as well as a good storyteller.

We headed out of town (there were 7 others with us) and arrived at the 7 Churches – an ancient site that had been an important part of the early monastic tradition in Europe and which had been, before Clonmacnoise, one of the first of the missionary centres in Ireland.

From there we headed up the hill to DunAengus – the most impressive of the Ringed fortresses on Inishmore. Himself took some good photos of the stone walls which are really impressive and which have stood the test of time.

When we got back to the little centre we had a wee look in the shop and himself bought some heraldic coasters telling him what his name meant and how important he was to Irish history. Me tinks that with another 150 sets of coasters with similar stories on them he wasn't really that important.

We got back to Kilronan, the main centre on the island and we had a bite to eat – fresh Aran Fish and a wee drink before wandering trough the shops looking if they could afford to buy anyting. After a short time they headed down the road and finally we got some Irish music and dancing. Tere were a group of young people dancing and playing their musical instruments something fierce and boy were they good. Oi tapped me feet but sadly because Oi'm so short they didn't touch the ground and so Oi didn't make any noise at all.

When it was over we headed back to the ferry and travelled back to Rossaveel where we got into the wee red car and headed back to Galway and again got caught in the road works – at 5.30 in the afternoon and they were still working – not something you see that often in Tassie.

We went to Anthony’s new house for a bite to eat. From the entrance it looks a wee little place but when you get inside it is really spacious with 4 bedrooms and lots of space with a lovely kitchen. Himself was looking at the setup and tinking that it looked good.

Back home and they sat down to watch the 9pm news and now, since Oi've finished this page and they look like talking a while longer Oi'm heading for bed. Oi'll look at the photos tomorrow and see if there is a way of getting some of them onto the web.

Himself went out to get the paper and some ham for lunch and headed down the street and turned left at the corner and headed up the road to where he tought there was a shop but after half an hour walk (good exercise for him any way) he came back down the road and turned up the street just next door to where we are staying. As he got part way up the street he asked a lady who was out for her exercise too where the nearest shop was and she pointed just in front of his eyes and asked would that be the sort of shop he was looking for. Oi could have just died of embarrassment he sometimes walks with his eyes closed.

Anyway, when he came back out of the shop he turned down a wee lane and at the end of the lane turned right and he was almost outside the place where we are staying.

After herself got out of bed himself sent emails to the children back at St Brigids in New Norfolk so that was good.

We headed into Galway and herself let us off to wander round the streets while she went out to the hospital to do Una’s hair and make her feel a little better. Himself bought some CD’s of Irish music and some tings for himself – he got nothing for anyone else – sometimes he doesn't tink about anyone but himself.

Before herself got back we stopped just near the Cathedral because the Salmon run is on at present and there in the middle of the Corrib River were some men trying to catch the salmon as they made their way upstream. The fish were leaping and jumping and the men were catching nothing but it was good to watch.

When we all got home herself finished cooking the bacon and cabbage for the evening meal and it was good to taste the wonderful old meal again – it seems forever since Oi had it and never as good as what we had tonight. Anthony came and joined us for the meal and himself worked with your man on some computer programs – at least that’s what they told herself and meself.

Anthony has left and they have all gone to bed to Oi get a chance to do my thing – Oi tink they will be late getting up in the morning even though they need to be on the road reasonably early.

As Oi tought last night they were late starting the day with himself beating herself out of bed by a good time. In fact your man had enough time to get the paper and have a walk before herself appeared.

As soon as we were able we were on the road to Cleggan to catch the ferry to Inishbofin. We managed to catch a whole lot of slow drivers on the way but eventually we got there – about 10 minutes before the ferry was due to leave.

All the way down it looked as if it might pour but, even though it did rain a little, it looked more mishty than downpour sort of day.

We got our tickets and made the ferry with a few minutes to spare and all the way over it looked like it was going to be a horrible day. Neither of my so called friends had tought to bring a coat for me so they said Oi would have to survive as best Oi could.

When the ferry arrived we all headed up the pier and turned left and headed south or so it seemed. Eventually we got to Murray’s pub at Doonmore – Oi'm wondering if it’s anyting to do with that big fellow at New Norfolk – Patrick Murray. Anyway, they had a sign on the door saying that because there was no electricity on the island (the ESB were doing work at Cleggan until 6pm) they could offer soup and sandwiches and beer. Well Oi decided that a Guinness would do me – the other two had soup, sandwiches and a beer as well. Herself struggled not being able to have a coffee but she lived.

It poured for a short time while we were in the pub but then it cleared so we headed back towards the ferry but turned off up the hill and walked through the middle of the island. Your man was a bit puffed for some of the climb but we were lucky with the rain – it held off until himself got a very urgent call of nature. We got to a Restaurant hoping to be able to use their facilities and herself was looking for a coffee but it was closed. Tankfully the lady let your man use the toilets otherwise the rest of the day might have been interesting.

We kept walking, this time we were heading back towards the township from the opposite direction and found another wee pub, Day’s this time, and they could serve us beer but herself still couldn't get her coffee. We all had something to drink and then walked round to see the local Church and met the visiting priest (the island hasn't had a resident priest for the past three years). It was a bit special because it was the Church of St Colman, that’s the same saint that the wee Church at Ellendale is named after and it was where herself worked last year.

After visiting the Church we went and sat down for a few minutes up at the Post Office before coming back down the hill to the Ferry and our trip home.

Tree years ago himself had tried to get to Inishbofin twice, once with Cath and Michael and their friends from NSW and then later with meself during the time we were at Marianella. Oi've got a picture of meself at the bar in Clifden with himself and your man from Darwin he met in Galway – the son of some friends ours from Hobart.

Anyway, herself is now cooking something for us to eat and she’s had two coffees already. Anthony is coming round again to see if an email has arrived from Tasmania with some information for him and then, Oi'm sure, it will be an early night all round – well it will be for me.

The trip out along the road to Connemara was wet as the showers kept coming in but it didn't rain that much. Tere is still ‘drought like’ conditions here and the people don't know what’s really happening without having the rain all the time.

Anyway, we got to the Abbey run by the Benedictine Nuns about lunch time and had a bite to eat in the wee restaurant. After lunch we had a wander through their shop – himself still hasn't bought anything for anybody back home so it looks like it will be a light suitcase unless Oi get a wee moment to look for some tings for people.

Then we headed off on a tour of the Main House, built between 1867 & 1871 by Mitchell and Margaret Henry. The Sisters came to the property in 1920 after having to leave Ypes after their convent their was destroyed during World War I. It is now their home as well as and international Girls College.

After looking through the parts of the house that are open to the public we climbed into a wee shuttle bus and headed up through the bush to an incredible Walled Garden. It has been rebuilt on the site of an original garden but which had fallen into ruins. In the mid 1990’s the Sisters and staff of the Abbey set about rebuilding it according to the original drawings and today it is a masterpiece of design, beauty and functionality. They have a big vegetable garden which would go close to keeping them supplied for much of the year but overall it is stunning.

Back into the bus and then onto the restored neo-Gothic Church. Another beautiful little building which uses some beautiful marble in the support columns and himself was running round taking photos which showed up the beauty of the wee building.

Themselves then dragged me off to look at a wee mausoleum – except they missed the turn off because they were talking and we wandered almost back to the highway before they turned round and we found the place.

Back to the car then and we farewelled Kylemore and headed back along the road and came to a wee little Church set out in the emptiness of Connemara called the Creeragh Church – again himself got some photos but you'll have to wait until we get back to Tasmania until we can add some photo’s to these pages.

Back to Dangan Heights and, after himself celebrated Mass as today would have been his dad's birthday, we had a meal and a quiet night – himself has been working on the photos and has them all catalogued and ready for doing tings with whenever he gets a chance on a computer with a good graphics program on it.

Bed for me – the two of them are watching Phil Coulter and Friends again so they'll be there for a time.

Had a light lunch and then we headed out to the supermarket to get some vegetables and such as what we might need for the next few days when Una gets back home.

The wee lad also has managed to get some little tings for the some of the people who have been good to him outside (that means back in Tasmania) so he'll not be having such a light case to bring back.

We then went to see Una in Merlin Hospital and she is looking good and expects to be home tomorrow – God willing.

Then we all came back to the wee house here after visiting the area where two of herself’s nephews live – they have a great view out over Galway city but they don't stay there too often because of their work and other activities.

Just finished a lovely meal that herself has cooked for the four of us – Anthony was here again. After Anthony had left himself settled in to watch some Australian Rules Football but the games they showed were part of last week’s matches so they are well behind in their reporting. He got two messages this morning saying that Geelong had beaten Brisbane, premiers for the past three seasons by 27 points this afternoon (their time), so he was happy and is going to bed with a smile on his face tonight.

Well we went slow and did some more cleaning and tings until Collette, Una’s daughter, arrived with some plants that she then set about planting and it was only a wee bit later that Anthony arrived with his mother after being discharged from Merlin Park Hospital. She was looking good, although a little bit tired, and has had a few naps during the day.

After a short time we had Mass in the house and then a fry up for lunch. It was mainly to ensure that Una had a good meal – mind you Oi tink the rest of us enjoyed the food as much as she did.

Una headed off then for her nap, Anthony and Collette headed back to their homes to do some work and we tree headed off up the road to Spiddal to see if himself could get a few tings but the shops they wanted to see were closed.

We stopped at a few places on the way back before we got here and did some more tings around the house. Himself was on the computer doing some tings before Oi had a chance to do my ting with this page.

Just as himself headed up to bed, leaving me here in the dining room by myself, Bernard, another of Una’s children, arrived so that means that we have met all four of them.

Now Oi'm heading for bed as we leave here tomorrow and there are a few tings that we need to do in the morning.

Before we left Una’s we had another fry up so tat we wouldn’t need to be ateing on the way down to Listowel.

Before we got there we called into Durty Nelly’s at Bunratty Castle and had a wee drink and then wandered across the road to some of the shops where himself finally spent some money on things for himself, others and the parish. (When tey got to their rooms tonight tere was a bit of a panic as two tings tey bought were supposed to be a pair but tey found one that wasn’t the same size as the other so tey will try and do something about it tomorrow.

Anyway, after leaving Bunratty Village tey headed down to Killimore where tey caught a ferry across the Shannon River and moved from Galway to Co Kerry where we are going to be staying for the next few days. We have rooms at the Listowel Arms and we’re staying here for the next tree nights.

After getting up to our rooms we all headed out for a meal but our choices were a bit limited because it is a Monday night and lot’s of places don’t open on Mondays. Anyway, the wee place we found produced a really grand meal and we all ate really well.

Himself is now having a bath before he writes his wee report back to the Gazette which he needs to do before tomorrow morning.

Me, Oi’m going to bed for an early night because oi like my sleep.

After a latish breakfast we headed out down the road towards Valencia Island in the rain hoping that the weather might clear up but it never did happen.

On the road down we passed many people were heading for the Ring of Kerry tour. On the way the two of tem were very quiet and himself was looking as if he wanted to be of some help but herself was sad.

We stopped for lunch at a little pub in Portmagee before we headed over the bridge and looked for directions to the Grotto. We turned left and went round until we finally got to the other end of the island and found that if we'd turned right at the beginning we would have got there quickly. Anyway we got to the place where tey were mining slate and right at the top of the mine was a statue of Our Lady - whoever put it tere must have been very brave or tey had a long ladder. Himself took some photos and then tey drove round to look at the view but the rain was still lashing down so it was a very short trip.

The trip back was an interesting trip because we stopped at a little pub with a model village alongside. We all went into the pub and found the lounge crowded with elderly people who were on a bus trip. They were watching two wee lassies doing some Irish dancing and toroughly enjoying it. We got ourselves a hot drink and watched the lassies and ten enjoyed your man singing Danny Boy, he was just sitting with his family and enjoying the dancing and his wife suggested that he should sing - he had a lovely voice so it was very good.

After a time we headed out to the car and were sitting tere when your man came out of the pub and wandered over to the model village. When he came back he went back into the pub and then came back out and looked around and then he frightened himself by unzipping and ... right in front of us!!!! Herself nearly fell out of the car and the tree of us just starting laughing and couldn't stop.

The trip home was a bit brighter and tey managed to stop on the way home because tey had found a big flower sign telling people tat tey were visiting Cahersiveen, the original place where the property in Tassie where tey grow the wool tat tey use to make the Caserveen jumpers and tings. Himself will be taking the photo home to show tem one day when he gets to Oatlands during the week.

Tey stopped off in Tralee to visit some friends of herself. Your man was elected to the County Council in the elections a few weeks ago so the family were all in great form and we all had a wee drink with tem.

When tey got back to Listowel we had another wee drink and ten headed down to have a meal in the restaurant - we were going to have the meal tomorrow night but since we'll all be heading off to Drogheda for the funeral tomorrow so their stay here is being cut short.

Oi'm heading for bed now, the two of tem have been talking but Oi tink it will be an early night all round.

After having breakfast in the Hotel all tree of us headed back upstairs and cleared our rooms and took the tings down to the car to start our journey back to Navan for the next to last part of our holiday.

Well we started back towards Limerick and ten to Blarney Woollen Mills where we were going to try to make an exchange of the tings that himself bought the other day. Well your man was happy because he was able to get a pair of the tings he needed so he will be happy all right.

Back into the car and we headed down the road finally getting to Athboy about 3pm so tat we could do a few wee jobs for Br Tom before we got to Navan where we did a few other wee jobs and waited for some people to arrive before we headed off to Drogheda for the Funeral reception for the late Bridie McDonnell.

The people we were waiting for were two brothers of herself, Seamus who lives in the family home and Pat Joe who came all the way up from down near Waterford for the service tonight. Well, tey arrived and we waited for Fr Dan Cunniffe, a Columban priest who is also a friend of Br Tom’s. By the time we were all ready we headed off and got to Drogheda to be tere at 6.30pm and as soon as we were parked herself was in and out of the car like a ferret chasing rabbits – tere were people from all over Ireland she knew and was saying ‘Howya’ to so Fr Dan, Himself and my self were just sitting tere. Mind you we all chatted so tat was good as well.

After the funeral parlour we headed up to the Church and herself was away again so eventually we all headed into the Church for the Reception.

At the end of tat we were all invited back to Sean McDonnell’s house so we went round to teir house and had a drink of tea and ten we headed back to Navan for a decent meal. Somehow we had managed to go almost all day with only a sandwich at Athboy before having a sandwich or two at Drogheda.

Now, Oi’m ready for bed as Oi’ve been a busy wee man all day and Oi need my beauty sleep.

Tere must have been close to 1,000 people at the funeral and at least a dozen priests so when we got into the sacristy Oi was left in the jacket because tere was too many people around and himself was afraid tat Oi might be squashed by around. Tere were four priests who were going to concelebrate and when tey finally got onto the altar it was 12.20pm - 20 minutes late because people had not been able to get into the Church. When all the priests were being introduced himself was introduced as Fr Mike Delaney on home from Tassie on holidays - Oi'm not sure what tat means or what himself will do with it when he gets back to Tassie.

After the funeral which was attended by about 450 people - the church looked empty because it could easily hold 1,500 people, we all headed off to the graveside and tankfully himself only did a very simple graveside service because it started to rain just as he finished and everyone headed off to the Boyne Valley Hotel, the same place where Bridie McDonnell had been born some 94 years ago for lunch. Tere were about 80 people tere and it was a grand farewell to a loved lady.

At the end of the lunch the tree of them came back out with a wee chocolate for me who'd been sitting in the car all the toime. The trip back to Navan was a wee bit quiet, Fr Dan seemed not too be talking too much and himself was sitting in the back and not saying too much either.

Back at Navan we all got out of the car and himself went off and got the tings he needed for the wedding rehearsal and the tree of us ten headed off up the road to Mullingar to met up with Catherine and Sean for teir rehearsal.

Tat all went very well and people seemed happy with what was happening and everyting seems right for tomorrow. So after tat was finished we all headed back to Brigie's and had a quiet little drink and now tey have drifted off to bed and Oi'm sitting here doing me notes and trying to get up to date with all my photos. Oi can't wait to get home so tat Oi can sort tem out and load tem onto these pages.

Now bed for me too.

is morning the weather was perfect and it stayed foine all day.

We had lunch here at Navan, at Brigie Berry’s B&B where the tree of us have been staying for the past few days. Ten everyone got ready and we headed off, the four of us, aiming to arrive at the Church about 40 minutes before the ceremony.

The lads were tere already so we chatted to tem for a time then himself went into the Church and started setting up for the wedding. The two who’d been tere last night for the rehearsal had everyting set up for himself today so it was grand.

The ceremony went off really well – himself didn’t make any mistakes so the whole lot of tem were impressed by the wee lad from down under.

In the car on the way to the reception Brigie said tat the people going into the Church for the ceremony looked more like tey were going to Lourdes rather tan a wedding tere were so many walking sticks!

Ten we went off to Bloomfield House, originally a Franciscan Convent, and it was really good. Both himself and herself took lots of photos but it will need to be tomorrow before tey get looked at and it will take tem some time to go trough tem all.

After the meal everyone started dancing and even himself went onto the floor and, Oi must say Oi was a wee bit worried that he would make a fool of himself.

The four of us got home safely and we’re all ready to head for bed – himself is a wee bit happy and was singing on the way home but he wouldn’t have won any singing competition.

Oi’m not sure when Oi might be up in the morning but bed is looking good at the moment.

Himself got his washing into the machine but it looked like it might need to be dried in the electric clothes drying machine because it was raining again tis morning – himself was happy because it would have been sad if it had been raining for the wedding yesterday.

After a time the tree of us headed up to the city centre of Navan to arrange for the mobile himself had got when he first arrived to get unlocked – whatever tat means. Anyway, it took the wee lass in the shop some time to get it fixed so after a while the tree of us went for a walk and brought some tings at another shop before we finally got what we needed.

Ten we headed off to the convent at Athboy and firstly we had some lunch at the hotel in the town – a fine meal and another big feed – Oi’m at the stage when even Oi will need to be going on a diet when we get back to Tasmania.

Back in the convent we did some printing of the photos that himself had downloaded after he’d woken tis morning – about 10am. Oi’m starting to worry whether he’ll be able to get out of bed when he’s supposed to be back at work.

After tat we headed back out to see whether anyone was still alive at the Costello’s at Rochfordbridge, where they live. We got tere and it seemed like the whole family and half the guests from last night were still tere.

The little one’s were running round and keeping us all busy so after a little time, the tree of us headed up the road to visit an old castle that is now a restaurant at Tyrrellspass, not far from where tey live.

After himself had a pint of Guinness and herself and myself had a Sprite we had a quick look round the site before heading back to the Costello’s and found tat even more people had arrived.

After spending a few minutes tere we’ve come home to Navan to have someting to eat before himself heads upstairs and starts packing because tey leave here tomorrow.

Oi tink tat an early night might be on the cards for all of tem.

Ten it was out to packing the car because we are almost at the end of the trip so it was making sure tat all the tings were in the car so tat himself doesn’t leave anyting behind like we did at the beginning of the trip.

But even as we were driving away after saying our goodbyes to Brigie herself rang to say tat himself had left a shirt behind so we turned back. By the end of the day it wouldn’t be the last ting he’d left somewhere.

The first stop of the day was at Emmaus where we caught up with Br Tom who was taking us to the GAA Game at Croke Park. We all got into Tom’s car and headed for the Park to watch Wexford v Dublin in the Junior Semifinal – which the Dub’s won by 5 points so Wexford were hoping that tey might do better in the big game against West Meath. Josie was born in West Meath so Oi was hoping that West Meath would win – and tey did by 4 points.

Oi’m a little glad (only a little mind you) tat we are leaving Ireland because the next match that West Meath play will be against Laois and all himself’s family come from Laois so Oi might have been in trouble as to whom Oi might be barracking for.

After the game we headed back to the car and headed off to collect Annie Jo, a friend of herself’s, who was going to join us for a meal. Tom took us back to Emmaus where the girls got into Josie’s car and the tree of us headed off to Malahide to have a meal at Oscar Taylor’s restaurant – the girls joined us there and we had a great meal altough the lad is definitiely going to have to go on that diet as soon as we get back.

Then tey dropped us off at the White Sands Hotel at Portmanock where we are staying for the next few nights.

Now bed although Oi don’t tink that Oi’m going to be getting too much sleep for the next few nights as himself gets toey before he has to travel.

Anyway bed now.

As Oi was saying yesterday he’d left something else behind and after we had all had breakfast – himself is still eating a Full Irish breakfast – he certainly won’t be having tat when he gets home – we all headed back to Emmaus to collect his rain jacket, Palm Pilot (Oi tought tey only grew palms in warm climates and why do tey need a pilot?) and his camera.

After saying farewell to Br Tom (again) we headed into Dublin or at least to Marianella. When tey got tere himself went in and found Beth at the front desk so he called herself in to say howya and the tree of tem chatted for a time. Then himself went off to see Anne in the Pastoral Renewal Office but she wasn’t in so he called to see Betty in the kitchen and met a few others as well.

All the way into town he’d been trying to call the other Michael Delaney but couldn’t get him – he finally was able to talk to him later in the day and will try and catch him tomorrow.

We all came back to Portmarnock and our hotel and sat down, or at least Oi did. Himself had a rest and dozed for some time during the afternoon so Oi had to be very quiet.

Another of the calls he had tried to make today was to Ken Hammond, one of the RTE newsreaders. Well, the first time he tried your man was asleep after being at work until 3am tis morning. About 3pm he rang and the two of tem chatted for some time so tat was good. He only needs to try and speak to Anne Hughes at Marianella and he has done good.

Tey ordered room service for the evening meal and even though we didn’t eat lunch tere was still more than enough food in the evening meal to kill a cow.

It looks like it is going to be an early night as himself is making noises about going back to bed so it looks like the last full day is over.

Himself has got us packed so Oi’m writing tis while he foosters around doing a few little tings to finish.

Since tis is the last chance Oi’ll have to write anyting before we leave our plan of action for the day is:
Breakfast in a few minutes;
Back to finish cleaning out our rooms;
Then off to Dublin to catch up with Michael Delaney, the oter one;
Then a wander round Dublin until we head out to the airport about 4pm.

When we got to the airport herself rang Brigie and found that Brigie's house had been flooded for the fourth time in less than tree years. Both of the lasses were in tears because it has been such a pain to both of them, but especially for Brigie.

We all headed into the aiprort and found that there must have been 5 tousand people catching a plane from Dublin to Erope because tere were people lined up everywhere. Eventually we got to the head of the queue and we got our seats and it looks like we're going to be sitting at the rear of the planes all the way home.

We ten went outside and had a cuppa before the sad farewells all took place . The other two were very sad but eventually we head to head into the departure lounge to tet ready to be going. Herself was heading off to spend the night with Brigie whilst we wandered trough the dutyfree area and he managed to buy a bottle or two of Bushmills to be bringing home with him.

The first part of the flight to London was easy and we managed to get ourselves over to terminal tree for the next stage of the journey without too much trouble. But ten he almost got us unstuck because he read a sign which said that Cathay Pacific left from Gates 15-17 but when we got tere the screen said - 'Please Wait'. Well we did, and ten finally the gate number was given and it was Gate 40 - almost the oter end of Terminal Tree so we had to rush to get to the right spot.

The trip from London to Hong Kong was a long flight and Oi slept wonderfully but himself was tossing and turning and didn't seem to get very much sleep at all.

From there we headed upstairs to the Qantas departure area and found tat the flight number for our flight to Hobart had been changed a number of times. Tey finally found that we had seats, eventually, and we headed down to the departure gate. Himself had forgotten to put a clean shirt into our overnight bag and so we didn't have a shower in the lounge before flying home to Tassie - luckily we didn't smell too bad!!

The flight back was really easy and waiting for us at the arrivals area were some friends who'd come to collect us and drop us back home. It only took a short time for the bags to arrive and ten we were on our way back to New Norfolk.

During the flight Oi'd looked out the window and seen lot's of snow in the highlands and when we came over the hill into Mornington the Mountain was covered although it was reasonably clear skies. Now we're home and Oi expect that he'll be taking over the telling of the story so until himself let's me out again - tanks for being with me during the last month and Oi look forward to seeing you soon.

You might like to call back in a week or two and see if Oi've been able to put the photo's of our trip into the story - Oi tink you'll enjoy the extra tey add to the whole ting.

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