Friday - Week X

In Galway it was a beautiful sunny, not to cold day so our morning started great. Mom and I are taking a mini-vacation to Killarney and the Ring of Kerry while Jean Marie gets caught up on all her Christmas errands and visits to friends homes. The weather went from sunny to a drastic snow storm during the course of our bus trip then back to sunshine for an hour and finally to intermittent snow showers once we arrived Kellarney.

The trip, despite the erratic weather, was spectacular. The southern part of Ireland is as breathtaking as one would expect and equally as gorgeous as all the rest of Ireland that I've seen. The pastures were still green with just a sheet of snow covering parts and the mountains near Killarney were all snow capped and exquisite.

We had to take the bus from Galway to Limerck where we were to transfer to a bus that would go directly to Killarney but due to weather conditions in the south they canceled the direct bus so we got on the bus going to Tralee and was just hoping for the best when we got there. Fortunately the Station Agent in Limerck radioed ahead to Tralee and told them we'd be on the bus and to make sure we connected to the next bus that was going to Killarney. The people in this country generally go out of their way to help you, it's so great.

We made it safely to Killarney where they recently built and outlet shopping center near the bus terminal so we strolled through the shops and then walked a few blocks to the center of town which is quaint and charming. We had a nice lunch at Murphy's Bar (a lovely pub) and the we walked to our hotel which was about 10 minutes away from the center. This town is a must when visiting Southern Ireland. I love the old buildings and small streets. They even have an impressive national park here just a few blocks from the center of town.

We are staying at the Randel's Court Hotel which has retained much of the old world charm of this country but with wonderful modern conveniences like a fabulous spa. The pool is nice and warm and since it was still early when we arrived it was quiet so we just paddled around for a bit and then spent some time in the sauna and steam room. We met a nice lady who was staying here from Tralee because she was attending the opera tonight. Apparently there is a traveling opera company stopping in various towns throughout Ireland this season and tonight they are performing Verdi's Rigoletto at St. Mary's Church.

After a nice shower we went to sit in the lovely living room of the hotel where there is a roaring fire and lots of seating to enjoy a good book. We met two more women who were going to the Opera performance tonight. They're sisters and they only live a short distance from the hotel but they decided to make it a special evening and stay over at the hotel. This is very common in Ireland to take a mini-break at a hotel even one that is 10 - 20 minutes from home.