Was time to get into my airport mode. Brent and Mary took me to the airport…Was hard to tell those 2 see ya later. So I did that quickly and got my luggage checked, went through security and also US customs pre-check. This is really a time saver if you have connecting flights in the US. Once you get through the US customs pre-check in Dublin, all you have to do is navigate to find your connecting gates once you are in the US. All went well for my flights back to RDU. Drove home from RDU area.
I am diverting slightly to explain my delay in completing our trip blog. Since my last entry for Dec 30, I have drawn a blank every time I attempted to post for Dec 31 and Jan1. My plan was to complete these at the airport or on the plane. I could not figure why I could not finish the trip blog. Friends asked: are you done? My standard answer was: I’ll finish it tomorrow, I need to be in the right frame of mind…I finally reached tomorrow today (10 days later). And I finally know why.
I came back to the NOISE (and was coming back to the noise). It took me days to re-adjust and recall that I need to practice serious grounding right now. My way to ground is to take a walk in the woods (my “church”). I care about others and when you care, it’s difficult to watch/hear of some not so good things happening. Don’t misunderstand: I missed our friends, our chosen family, family, and our dogs.—-I DID NOT MISS THE NOISE! (Yes, I yelled that)
I was also sad to leave Mary and my LUCKY CHARMS (Melissa, Brent and children). My goodness, I had a wonderful time with them!! Thank you Melissa and Brent for a wonderful holiday time!! It was wonderful to see you in your new home. It was wonderful to hug you all again. Home is where you make it and best I can tell, you guys have landed in a wonderful, welcoming space to call home. I cannot wait to come back!!! lol!
To sum it up: Practice self care, love hard, spend time with those who reciprocate, and care about others. Take your own version of “your walk in the woods” to stay grounded. All are my answer to: LIVE and DON’T ALLOW the noise wear you down.
Last Day of 2025: Glendalough and Dún Laoghaire
December 31, 2025
My last full day in Ireland (for this trip…lol. Note Mary staying until Jan 13) was busy and good! Myself, Mary, Brent, and Leo ventured out for a ride to Glendalough. Glendalough (“valley of the two lakes”) is located about an hour from Dublin. A Monastic site is located in Glendalough and was founded by St. Kevin. We enjoyed a beautiful car ride through the countryside. There were lots of green rolling hills and sheep-beautiful. We took a walk, had snacks and coffee at the upper Lake. There are many hiking trails in this area. Then we headed to the Monastic site. There were many beautiful Celtic crosses at gravesites, churches and a round tower. The views were gorgeous. The area was serene and though there were many folks there, I felt a calming, quiet peace in this area. Would love to return here for some hiking and some serious grounding. We returned home after a nice ride back through the countryside.
Next up: We all headed to Dún Laoghaire for shopping, dinner at Walter’s and some beautiful New Year’s Eve fireworks. The town was beautiful at dusk! Dinner at Walter’s was amazing (good choice Melissa!). I had Beef and Guinness stew—-COMFORT food!
After dinner we headed to the waterfront for a beautiful fireworks display.
Melissa arranged for us to tour Malahide Castle. We (all 8 of us) traveled via train along the coast. The ride from Killiney to Malahide was approximately 90 minutes.
We enjoyed seeing the coast and other sights along the way. The train was a nice way to travel: no directions to worry about, just sit back and take in the sights and experience.
The Malahide Castle was interesting. The tour was informative and entertaining. The tour guide was a good story teller. Could actually visualize folks from that period interacting as she described. Learned the origin of “Mind your own beeswax” and “getting plastered”…lol!
It was a great day and great time exploring together.
View of the coast through a dirty window (lol)Any ghost in the tower window??And yes this is random, but relevant and necessary: As my Grandmother Ballard would say “ Everything is Hunky Dory!”
Our day began with a wonderful breakfast prepared by Melissa. After lunch, Mary and I headed to the Dunnes store…the “everything” store. We walked the through the park there and back. We spent a while there (easy to do) and purchased a few clothing items and groceries.
In the evening, Melissa, Brent, Mary and myself headed up to the Wicklow Mountains to an establishment called Johnnie Fox’s. It was almost time for the Hooley. Per AI, “ Irish slang for a lively, fun party or celebration, often involving traditional music, dancing, and good cheer”.
We waited roughly 40 minutes to enter the Hooley area. During this time we had a beverage and were amazed at some of the famous people who had been to Johnnie Fox’s. Among them: The Queen of England, Barack Obama, Jamie Foxx, Brad Pitt, and the list goes on and on.
Then we entered the Hooley area. The room was packed! We listened to Irish music, watched Irish dancers, had an over the top awesome meal, and met some wonderful people. SUCH FUN! This is a must do if you plan a trip to Ireland!
Former coworkers had recommended I try this beer if the opportunity presented itself, so I did. It was delicious!COMFORT FOOD: Beef and Guinness pie
Sunday, Dec 28, Melissa and Mary prepared us a nice breakfast. It was yummy.
We took a taxi into Dublin. Started our Dublin afternoon with a tour of Guinness Storehouse. The tour consisted of telling the story of Guinness beer, a variety of restaurants, tastings and a rooftop bar. Highly recommended and it is family friendly.
After our tour we took another taxi to the city center for some shopping.
Mary has a well kept secret: she has a bar and a hardware store in Dublin. It is named Mary’s Bar and Hardware! Absolutely perfect! LOL! Mary and I went in for a beverage and to just be in that space. So fun and festive!
After our time in Dublin, we took the bus back to their home area. Melissa prepared a tasty chicken and rice dish for dinner. It was enjoyed by all!
While the family picked up another guest from the airport, Mary and I explored the neighborhood. We had a nice walk through Cabinteely Park, lunch at The Stableyard Cafe, Guinness at the local, The Horse & Hound, and watched some football at the Horse & Hound. All returned back home. Then off to the Dunnes Stores. That was an experience! Everything you could dream of needing under one roof! The only thing I did not see was autoparts and they may have been included and I just missed them…lol! We came home to a wonderful meal of Irish ham, German potato salad, and cucumber salad prepared by Melissa. It was all very delicious!
After our hike at Killiney Hill Park, we drove along the coastline. The narrow roads and driving on the opposite side of the road and opposite side of the vehicle still amaze me…I am glad I am not driving—-lol! Brent has mastered the navigation in Ireland. After taking some photos along the scenic drive, we stopped to take a look over at Dalkey Island. The Island is uninhabited.
In Ireland, the day after Christmas is a holiday as well. It is known as St. Stephen’s Day commemorating St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr.
We went on a beautiful hike at Killiney Hill Park. There were beautiful views of the coastline (Irish Sea) along the way. The park was very busy as it was a holiday, but the hiking trails had many off shoots that allowed for a more private view/trek.
We returned home for more chill time and had a delicious steak dinner.
We enjoyed our first St. Stephen’s Day in Ireland!
Map showing areas we have explored along the coast in the Dublin areaRock climbingMagpieView toward BrayDalkey IslandWell pictured below
Had a wonderful time watching the children checkout their Santa gifts and open their presents from family! Enjoyed hearing the wows and rips of the wrapping paper.
Our day consisted of great conversation, lots of good food, watching American football (via Netflix) and chilling out in front of the fireplace (chilling out worked great!).
It had been a while since I had flown at Christmas time. Reminder to me: traveler earlier next time…lol!
I arrived at RDU 4 hours prior to flight time. Had gone through TSA and located my departure gate. I thought, ok, I’ll relax and have a beer. About half way through my beer I received a notification from United: your flight departing RDU has been delayed by 1.5 hrs…oh no! Half beer buzz was GONE! I contacted my family in Ireland…they said call United NOW! So, 1 hour later (on the phone for an hour), United had me on different flights and all was resolved!!!
I landed in Dublin Dec 24 around 10:45am (Dublin time). Had brief naps on the way over. Had the most festive greeting at the Dublin airport! There was a group singing Christmas carols at the airport greeting travelers just outside bag claim! So fun and yes, I cried a bit (good cry). Family greeted me also!! Was the BEST!
My first day in Ireland began with lunch, trip to the Sandy Cove and the Forty Foot. Had the pleasure of watching some folks partaking in an Irish Christmas Eve tradition of taking a swim (burrrrr!!!) at Sandy Cove or the Forty Foot. Brent and his friend Mark took a dip at Sandy Cove as the water was extremely rough at the Forty Foot. We cheered them on with our American “woohoos!!!”…lol!
Melissa and her family have met some wonderful friends.
Then we went to The Eagle, a pub near the waterfront. Had my first Guinness in Ireland and it was SMOOTH!
We came home, had some super delicious food and about 7:30pm I hit a WALL! Off to bed for me.
My arrival
Grateful Brent was driving! Driving on the “wrong side” of the road and the “wrong side of the car!
My phone was still on EST when we landed.
The water temperature at Sandy Cove was around 50degrees F on Dec 24.
Elf spotted at The Eagle! LOL, I had to make a double take as he looked like Will Ferrell.
Will be posting over the holidays from Ireland! Going to hug my Lucky Charms! I am so excited! If you see a pic of me doing an Irish jig on a table top, then I had 1 too many Guinness ( which would equal more than 1 pint). My sources say the Guinness is better in Ireland. I will take a sample and let you know. I depart for Dublin on Dec 23 and arrive Dec 24. New destination, new adventure! STAY TUNED!
Viva La Vita 