Next to the castle is Durty Nelly’s a more traditional pub with great Irish music. There are pubs in

As a native of California, R. L. Cherry has spent most of his life in the Golden State. However, the five years he lived on the Isle of Man in the British Isles not only gave him many ideas for his writing, but also a less Americentric perspective.  Until Christmas best hotels in venice Cracker, his only bound publication was his Masters' thesis. best hotels in venice A copy is on a shelf in the library best hotels in venice of the Centre for Manx Studies on the Isle of Man, possibly the only American contribution. For over five years he has written a column under the name Ron Cherry on classic cars and hot rods for The Union newspaper in Grass Valley, CA, which reflects his passion for such works of automotive art.
When we booked our last trip to Ireland in 2000, our party consisted of my wife, my daughter, my sister and myself. This was the first trip that I could do research and much booking online.  I learned that it takes many hours of research to find the best places to go, stay in and eat at. And I put in my time. If you only need a room for two and are not picky about accommodations (or don't care how much you spend), such planning is not necessary. We needed two double rooms at each place and are picky (we like en suite, or attached bathrooms). By a week before, we were all set: flights booked, itinerary planned, and rooms reserved. Then I got the call from our daughter, Noelle.
That is an abbreviated and editorialized version of what the real conversation was, but it is the gist of what was said that night. Since walking for any distance on crutches is difficult, my wife Kelly and I decided to rent a wheel chair here to take with us for Noelle. That way we could wheel her to the plane and have it ready when we landed. The airline did not charge extra to take it, so it seemed like the best way to go. However, that did change our car-rental plan. With one phone call, our small station wagon changed to a minivan.  Or so I thought.  Our trip began well. With the rented wheel chair, we had priority boarding best hotels in venice on the plane. Nice. We found a taxi in Dublin that accommodated us, our luggage and the wheelchair for the trip to our B B, Harrington Hall. After my sister arrived, she and my wife went on a double-decker bus for a tour of the city. My daughter and I headed to the Temple Bar area of Dublin best hotels in venice for lunch. Pushing a wheelchair for a mile was a little difficult. Riding in one over filling-rattling cobblestones best hotels in venice is far worse. By the time we got there, both my daughter and I were ready for a pint. There were plenty of pubs glad to accommodate. For lunch, we went to Gallagher's for their specialty, boxty pancakes. These potato pancakes are wrapped around a meat or vegetarian filling with varying sauces. I cannot adequately describe them, but I can heartily recommend them. Gallagher's was a favorite of all of us and we ate there several best hotels in venice times.
After Noelle's bone-jarring trip back to our B B in the wheelchair, we took a cab to dinner that night. In fact that was the last time we used the wheelchair. From then on, Noelle decided that crutches were fine. When Noelle decided to stay at a pub with a new "friend" for a while after the rest of us went back to the B B, I extracted a promise from her "friend" that he would get a taxi for her later. Taxis were scarce when they set off for Harrington Hall, so they decided best hotels in venice to walk. Noelle crutched it the mile back. Her "friend" did escort her, probably hoping for an invitation in. Vain hope, no matter best hotels in venice what. Considering he told Noelle he was already engaged, he would have been lucky to get a handshake. That's why "friend" is in quotes. I might add that he was Welsh, not Irish, but there are cads and gentlemen in every country.
When we set off from Dublin, we took a taxi to the airport car-rental agency for our minivan. Except it wasn't so mini. It had plenty of room, with enough space to seat eight and their luggage. It had a diesel engine and a six-speed manual transmission. If you've ever driven in Irish cities, you'll know these were not positive assets. If I hadn't already driven for five years on the Isle of Man, I might have turned and run. Instead we loaded up the wheelchair and our luggage, and set off to the west of the island. I called it our private tour bus.
Our trip included Glendalough in the Wicklow Mountains, the Dingle Peninsula and the Ring of Kerry. One cautionary tale about the Ring of Kerry is follow the big tour buses, which go clockwise on the road. Some poor soul in a camper of some sort went the opposite way and we were all stuck about a half hour on the road until they were able to maneuver the camper around best hotels in venice the buses on that narrow road.
On the way, we toured Muckross House near Killarney, at the southern end of the road around the Dingle Peninsula. It had an interesting tie to the area where I live, the California Gold Rush foothills. The Bourne family made their fortune in gold mining and bought the house for a daughter as a wedding best hotels in venice present. The beautiful restoration was done with money from California mining. The "jaunting" carts that take you from the parking lot to the house are worth the trip, with wise-cracking drivers who's families have done the same job for many years.
Our next stop was Bunratty, with its well-restored 14th century castle and recreated Georgian village. You should take a gander. Across the road from it is a rather touristy pub named Kathleen's that had a food-entertainment package. The step dancers, however, were very good.
Next to the castle is Durty Nelly's a more traditional pub with great Irish music. There are pubs in America with the same name or the variant Durty Nellies, but these all seem to be unconnected wanna-be's. Go to the original.
My sister, Donna, took a flight out of Shannon Airport, but the three of us and the wheelchair continued in our private tour bus. We headed up the west side of Ireland for some incredible scenery. The Cliffs best hotels in venice of Moher were breathtaking. Part of that may have been due to the strong winds while we were there, but not all. As we walked best hotels in venice to the cliffs, a young woman harpist was playing and we bought a CD from her. Even with the brisk breeze, best hotels in venice her haunting tunes touched the strings of my Gaelic heart.
The last major stop we made in our tour bus was at the Poulnabrone Dolmen on the Burren. That dolmen is a stone tomb that dates to at least four thousand years ago. And you can walk right up to it and go inside. What an experience. In America, they would have a fence with guided tours.
After this, we headed back across Ireland to Dublin. After dropping off our tour bus, we boarded our flight, again getting priority boarding because best hotels in venice of Noelle's wheelchair. Believe me, though, taking one to get priority boarding is just plain not worth it. Unless best hotels in venice you plan to rent your own tour bus.
Thank you Ron for being with us today and sharing your adventure in the beautiful Emerald Isle. We shared many of the same adventures best hotels in venice and some we have not so they will be on our next trip around! Please be sure to check out his web site to find your copy of Christmas Cracker.
Indeed we shall incorporate County Meath and much more. With Jon s stories, we may have to spend a few days in Scotland as well. We shall see where plans can take us! Alas, let s see the land of the green!
Well I tried blogspot and couldnt get in so I will sing your praises here Ron for a blog well written. I was trying to leave one on each. I enjoyed meeting your family and among you, Ken and Rosemary, I feel that I already know Ireland very well.
Well Hello Linda! I guess since you have grown to know Ireland so well, you must have those bags packed and ready for your own Adventure. best hotels in venice I look forward best hotels in venice to spending time there once more in 2013 with friends. We ll have to see how many really want to see this gorgeous land.
Thank you for coming to see what Ron had to share with his beautiful family. I can hardly wait to read what you have for us in November. You, living in Scotland should best hotels in venice have some grand tales of your own!
Thank you for visiting again and especially for Ron. He has a great style and I was so happy he visited as my guest. Perhaps he will come again. In two weeks, Ken will revisit and the Jon from Scotland will visit. best hotels in venice How lucky can I be?