Destination Ireland: Travels with my Sissies, into the mystic..

April 06, 2026

April 23rd - Last day and the Finale: an unusual ending!!!!

I knew it would come, and it did. Thursday, the 23rd, marked my final day in a country that fed me delicious food, offered breathtaking scenery, delighted me with its music and history, and extended the warmth and kindness of its countrymen. I was curious about how my last day would go, and yes, you know what I’m going to say. I was not disappointed.

We set out to catch the Dart, Dublin’s commuter train, heading south toward Dun Laoghaire, a seaside town that hugs the city’s edge. The Irish Gods must have been smiling, blessing us with a rare burst of sunshine. As we wandered past a lively mix of shops, restaurants, and offices, a bold red storefront jumped out at me: Paddy The Turk/Turkish Barbers. It was a reminder of the unexpected diversity that colors every neighborhood. For a moment, I felt transported to Chatham, Massachusetts, on Cape Cod, where quiet, inviting storefronts and carefully tended gardens create a memory—only here, the spirit was unmistakably Irish.

Our next stop was Monkstown, where we found ourselves at 8a Brasserie, ready for what felt like a last supper. I ordered the seafood chowder, expecting little could rival the clam chowder of my Cape Cod roots. Yet, with the first spoonful, I was stunned. Somehow, this bowl managed to outshine even my hometown favorites. If the world had ended that night, I would have gone out savoring a true seafood masterpiece.

It was time to catch the Dart back to Dublin. The view from the window offered passing postcards I hoped would linger in my memory. As we wandered back to Staycity on Francis Street, we passed my cherished landmarks: the towering St Patrick's Cathedral, the lively park of St Stephen's Green, and, naturally, my favorite pub, the Liberty Belle. In the morning, I had to catch the Dublin Express bus to the airport. It would be a long day of travel, and I needed to give Monica, our beloved concierge who always had a smile for us, a proper goodbye. I was already thinking about getting back. There would be school on Monday, a doctor's visit on Tuesday, and all the details of life you put aside if you’re lucky enough to take a trip. That’s when I say Thank You, Shelley, for being the best sister ever (remember the black licorice).

It is time to finish this. I found it hard to say goodbye to all of you who have followed my journey, and while it might seem random, I want to leave you with two things. First, how much the Irish love Johnny Cash, whose songs are played in pubs and plays. Second, I will always be haunted by the images of Kilmainham Gaol, Dublin's old prison. So I will leave you with Johnny Cash, hoping his spirit can touch the Irish prisoners, as he did for those at Folsom. I know it’s a bit cheesy, but it’s my story, and call me Queen of Corny!!!!

Please study the photo below before you click the link. It's my heartfelt farewell to Ireland.

https://youtu.be/AeZRYhLDLeU?si=2mfcyh0TtlqCMWZz

April 22nd

After Ruby Sessions last night, how could we top this? Well, the answer is Yes, of course. It’s Ireland and Shelley’s at the controls. As we were headed west towards the Gate Theater to see a play that Shelley had researched, we passed a few interesting sites along the way. First, I am pleased to report there was a sighting of the white girl, or the lady on the rock. (I mentioned this in the beginning)

If you're ever in Ireland, check every thrift or second-hand shop to see if one turns up. We passed St James Church, an official stage of the Camino de Santiago. This pilgrimage walk includes France and Spain. I suggest you Google it. If you visit the church in Ireland and complete the route, you receive an Irish Pilgrim Certificate.

Next, we ate at the Lemon Jelly Cafe, another meal that exceeded my expectations. We took our time walking to the Gate Theater to see a play called Poor. It is an adaptation of Katriona O’Sullivan’s powerful memoir. Poor charts Katriona O’Sullivan’s extraordinary journey as she emerges from her childhood in Coventry and Birmingham, marked by poverty, addiction, and homelessness. Moving to Dublin as a teenager, Poor follows O’Sullivan as she overcomes seemingly insurmountable obstacles to earn a PhD from Trinity College Dublin and inspire a generation through her writing, teaching, and speaking. This unforgettable story is vividly and movingly portrayed through her close relationships with family and friends, and thrums with the music that has resonated through her life.

The Theater was charming, along with the patrons and the staff. It appears you can't find a lemon anywhere in Ireland!

On our way back, we stumbled upon a bustling food market with a cozy wine bar tucked below. Perched at the bar, we chatted with bartenders from Spain, southern Italy, and France, each perfecting their English as they poured glasses of wine. We shared a plate of chips—French fries, as they're called—and let the day wind down in good company.

My last full day tomorrow. Stay Tuned.

April 21st

Our final morning together began with a breakfast feast at Bibi’s Cafe in Dublin’s Portobello neighborhood. I savored Squash Eggs poached with roasted squash, garlic yogurt sourdough bread that nearly rivales Georgia’s, and scones that were pure heaven with raspberry jam. Afterward, we wandered the streets, soaking in one last stroll as a group. Saying goodbye to Diane and Peggy as they left for the airport was sad. While I wrote and tackled laundry—spending an extra half hour picking tissue confetti from my pockets after the wash—Shelley scrolled on her phone. I sensed she was already hatching our next adventure, and the day did not disappoint.

That afternoon, we set off north, crossing the bridge toward the Church, a bar and family-run business rich in history. In 1761, Arthur Guinness, the famed Irish brewer, was married there, and composer Handel once rehearsed his masterpiece, the Messiah, on the very organ that still fills the space with music.

The place was so packed we decided to leave and walked to the next option, the Cobblestone, a well-known traditional Irish bar with music like the Crane in Galway. I snapped a shot of Henrietta Place. My grandmother would have smiled. Her name is on the streets of Dublin.

We got to the Cobblestone, and it was packed. Then I heard, “Let go….I have a surprise. You won’t be disappointed!” We grabbed a taxi, and the friendliest driver, named ‘Friday’ from Ghana, drove us wherever. I had no idea what to expect, but if you know my sister, you know she is an adventure seeker and producer.

Twists and turns on the wrong side of the road are half the fun. To show the warmth this city extends to visitors, Friday insisted we not pay the full meter price since the GPS was taking us around and around. He got us where we needed to go, and still in the dark, Shelley began to reveal her plans.

“I searched up singer-songwriters and found the place called Ruby Sessions, where they perform only on Tuesday night. When I tried to get tickets, there were none, but I emailed the box office and got an answer, ‘Shelley, we can't have you leaving Dublin without visiting us. Come, Conor!”

We moved as fast as we could and made it to Doyles, the bar that hosts Ruby Sessions upstairs. We got in line with only a friendly email and a promise, while everyone else had tickets. Will we get tickets? Will we get in? What silly questions. It’s Ireland, and with its magic, we not only got in but Conor heard we were in line, yelled out ‘Shelley,’ and let us in for free. What part of the universe makes such a wonderful country?

In less than five minutes, we squeezed into a room packed with a hundred people, though it felt as if it were built for fifty. A friendly table of four moved over to let us join, and as we glanced around, it seemed we were the only ones over fifty. The place buzzed with young faces from all corners, drawn to Ruby Sessions to hear three handpicked singer-songwriters hoping to follow in the footsteps of Ed Sheeran, Mumford and Sons, and Glen Hansard, who played this very stage before fame found them.

Each artist played four songs, and every one kept the crowd wide awake. It took me back to the old coffeehouse days. Inspired, I wrote a short story about the coffeehouse experience. Sharing a room with others and listening to talented, unadorned performances felt like a rare gift again.

The night ended but thank god to the memories that will stay forever.

How about a little Irish music?

(Come back for more!!!)

April 19th-21st, Back in Dublin

Bear with me. My days and times are off, even though I’m not trying to sync with the USA.

I'll start on the 19th, our first full day back from the west coast of Ireland. My sissies wanted to forge on with a day of history and learning about Ireland and its people. I decided to stay behind. They visited the EPIC Emigration Museum, the world's first fully digital museum, detailing 1,500 years of Irish history through 20 immersive, interactive galleries. They found it incredible because it was so modern and designed to create a great experience. (I’ll leave a link at the end)

So I stayed behind to write. Guess where I went. Yes, if you’ve been following me, I parked myself at the Liberty Belle pub, my home away from home. For two hours, I drank Baileys & coffee, ate a ham & cheese tostie, and had the best potato chips ever! I edited a full chapter and enjoyed watching the patrons, mostly workers, come in and grab a pint or two. Does everyone get to have a beer during work?

I later met up with the girls at St Steven’s Park. I passed St Patrick's Cathedral, where we visited the afternoon before for a choir service. It is not a Catholic Church but an Anglican one. The architecture was amazing. We stopped at the mall and browsed through TK Maxx. We found the prices higher than in the USA. Then dinner became the topic.

I haven’t talked about the food yet, but I will say everything has been great. I had bangers and mash with gravy. Amazing! The breakfast is really good, and I’ve noticed they don’t make everything too sweet. Tonight we chose pizza, and it was just as good. We walked to a nearby restaurant, and on the way back through the side streets, we saw construction in the neighborhood. It was mentioned that there is a lot of council housing, which will sadly be replaced by expensive townhouses. Gentrification, I wonder where everyone will go?

Progress doesn’t take a vacation anywhere.

Sleep well until tomorrow. Diane and Peggy will set off for Rhode Island and Santa Fe, while Shelley and I carry the torch of our adventure until Friday.

Click here for The EPIC Museum.

April 17th-18th- Clifton, the baths, Connemara National Park, and back to Dublin and the Liberty Belle Pub

Our taxi ride from Cliften to Connemara National Park lasted just twenty minutes, but it felt like an adventure in itself. We zipped along narrow, twisting country roads, and a few of us turned a little green as our driver expertly navigated the sharp bends. I learned that sitting behind the driver spares you the heart-stopping view of oncoming cars that seem to materialize out of nowhere. And of course, in Ireland, the world is flipped—they drive on the other side of the road.

Catching a sunny day in Ireland is like finding a four-leaf clover, and we struck gold. The weather seemed to be in a generous mood, with barely a breeze and not a drop of rain. Several trails beckoned, but we chose the shorter path. The climb was tough, but every step rewarded us with views that stole our breath away.

For me, it’s the endless shades of green that steal the show!

On our way out of the park, I spotted a construction warning sign—so charmingly polite it almost made me smile.

We made our way back to Cliften to hop on a bus to Galway, hoping to catch the train and reunite with my brother-in-law. I secretly wished we’d find ourselves at the Liberty Belle again for another round of laughter. I’m no regular at bars, but Irish pubs have a way of coaxing out my most joyful self........I wasn't disappointed.

April 14th-16th- Galway, land of green magic

We arrived in Galway and settled into our townhouse on Dock Street overlooking the River Corrib, which flows into the North Atlantic Ocean. The loud current outside our apartment reminds us it’s not a place you want to fall into. On our way, we saw a random print of Buster Keaton, the silent film actor. I’m not sure why he was there, but I thought it was an interesting piece of art. After unpacking and checking out our accommodations, we went into town and ate at the Galway Gal. YES! Irish Guinness stew, brown bread, and apple pie.

The next day, we did what tourists do best and browsed in and out of all the shops. I can’t

say enough how friendly the Irish people are. I was on a mission to find a hat that a weathered fisherman would wear. After six tries, we ended up at the Sweater Shop where I found my perfect hat.

The next morning, we got up early and headed to the Cliffs of Moher. It took an hour and a half to get there, and the ride was amazing, green, and quaint all the way. Our driver, an Irishman, had lived in Boston for a while, worked near where I lived in Cape Cod, and was a huge Red Sox and Patriots fan. Many Irish people love the Sox because of Fenway Park’s Irish history. OH WHAT A SMALL WORLD IT IS>>>>>

Back in Galway, we toured Micil Irish Whiskey. I did my best, but drinking straight whiskey is tough. To finish off a day full of adventure, we went to Crane’s, the best pub in town for traditional Irish music. There wasn’t an open spot anywhere, but being in that crowded, small room with everyone made me feel Irish!

Tomorrow we’re off to Clifton and the sea baths!!!!!

April 12th, Bus #13- Trinity College, a writers group, The Abbey Theater, and a walk through Temple Bar

Our morning stroll led us to Trinity College, a place I approached with little expectation. At first glance, it seemed like any other historic campus, but a closer look revealed a fascinating blend of 18th-century Neoclassical, Victorian Venetian Gothic, and modern brutalist architecture. Quite the architectural cocktail!

Here is what makes Trinity College stand out: founded in 1592 by royal charter from Queen Elizabeth I, it has hosted films like Educating Rita, a personal favorite, and The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles. There are more, though most are lesser known.

Today was a light eating day, but temptation won out early with a creamy flat white and a flaky almond croissant. Sweets always seem to find me. Later, I hopped on the #13 bus and crossed the river in Dublin, heading solo to a writer's class I discovered online. The public library, at the top of the steps, was buzzing, every seat and table claimed by readers, students, and neighbors. Dubliners clearly love their libraries, not just for books but for the sense of community. Our group of eight gathered in a room, and after a round of introductions and friendly chatter, our facilitator launched into the first of three prompts. Thankfully, inspiration struck, and I managed to be both witty and thoughtful, determined to make a good impression. The room filled with laughter and encouragement as we shared our stories, and I left feeling energized by the company of fellow writers. To top it off, I was invited for coffee downstairs, where Mary treated me to my second flat white of the day. She also insisted on escorting me to the bus stop #13 to get me back to our apartment.

Let me be clear: Dubliners are the warmest, most welcoming people I have ever encountered.

Flat White

Here is how the evening unfolded: we found ourselves at the 100th anniversary performance of The Plough and the Stars. If you are curious, look it up. The show wove in stories of Kilmainham Prison and Ireland’s long struggle for independence. Later, we missed the #13 bus and wandered through Temple Bar, supposedly a cultural hub, but all I could see were bars and a sea of young faces. How I envied the energy of youth.

We walked the entire way back, grateful for the fresh air and the adventure. Tomorrow, Galway awaits!

Quote of the day

"Be yourself; everyone else is already taken."- Oscar Wilde, a Trinity College Graduate.

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April 11th, A day of art, history, and dinner with Eimear.

IMMA (Irish Museum of Modern Art)

There were several exhibits and installations that examined topics such as sound, reverse migration, poetry, and feminism, but the piece of art I was most impressed with speaks to any Challenger Middle School teacher and housekeeping staff member.

The art of the broken pencil on the classroom floor! Who knew students were making art!

Kilmainham Gaol Museum from Prison to Monument

For more than a century, Kilmainham Gaol became home to thousands of men, women, and even children, whose alleged crimes spanned from petty missteps to roles in Ireland’s defining moments. Among its youngest prisoners was a boy of just three, jailed for the simple act of begging. Walking through the prison’s cold corridors, we cannot help but feel its haunting presence. The photographs capture stories words can barely touch. (I will leave a link at the bottom to learn more about this horrifying and popular museum about Dublin's history.)

Link to learn more about the history of the prison.

Dinner with Eimear

We finished the day by meeting a friend, Eimear, who grew up in Ireland. We talked about the ups and downs in the history and challenges of both Ireland and America. We found out how Ireland is responding to and observing the USA today. Much of what we do as a country impacts the world, including Ireland. We ate at a local pub, and I ordered nachos, which were different from the ones we have in Florida.

Interesting fact!..... Be on the lookout!!!

In Wamego, Kansas, Toto keeps the spirit of the Wizard of Oz alive, while St. Charles, Missouri, brightens its windows with a parade of painted dogs. Across the Atlantic, a mysterious female statuette has been quietly appearing on the doorsteps of Dublin’s humblest neighborhoods since the late 1990s. Locals call her the Lady on the Rock, and many see her as a quiet tribute to the working-class spirit.

As more Lady on the Rock statues appeared in the 2000s, the legends around her grew just as quickly. Whether she was born from pure intentions or something more mysterious, you have to admit she’s hard to ignore. (sadly, as of the 12th, we haven't spotted one, but there's tomorrow.) If you’re curious, you can dig into her story yourself. As for me, I’ll make it a mission to snap a photo every time I find her. As my sister says, “We’ll be on the lookout!!!”

Tomorrow's agenda

Tomorrow I will attend a writers' group at one of the local libraries. And later we will be attending a play at the Abby Theater. It's Sean O’Casey’s The Plough and the Stars.

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April 10th, Day 1- A slow start, but ending on a highball (actually a few).

Despite all the horror stories about travel, our journey felt charmed from start to finish. We glided through every checkpoint from Minneapolis to Dublin as if we had a secret VIP pass. Maybe it was our seasoned elegance and irresistible charm, or perhaps the universe simply decided to shower us with the kindness and respect everyone deserves

Even the customs person, whom I was expecting to grill us with questions about the where and the why. I admit I was practicing and was reminded to just answer with short comments. And then, as the four of us approached, the man behind the glass said in his friendly Irish accent, "So what are the plans, ladies?"........Those six words are etched in my memory forever.

At last, we landed in our Staycity rooms, a lively blend of hotel and apartment. The real adventure began in the lobby, where charging our devices became a comedy of errors. Watching the parade of guests, I felt like we had checked into a hip, modern youth hostel—a nostalgic nod to our backpacking days. After a quick rest, we wandered to the Fumbally Cafe, where a giant quote on the wall welcomed us to scone paradise. The wind was blowing so hard that my sister Peggy had to chase her hat for quite a distance. It was an unexpected weather condition, but who cares, "We're in Dublin."

Our mission was clear: stake out a spot at the nearby pub, and what a treasure we found. The locals, especially the younger crowd, welcomed us with such warmth that some of us simply couldn't tear ourselves away. Peggy and I, bonded by our Cape Cod adventures, lingered long after others drifted off. The cozy pub soon transformed into a lively karaoke bar, with students from Amsterdam and the Netherlands joining in, glasses raised high as everyone belted out classic American hits from the 60s through the 90s. It felt like coming home to the mothership. After a couple of highballs, sleep calls to me. Tomorrow can't come soon enough!

April 9th, and tomorrow we fly out.

The Twin Cities never disappoint. From delicious food to dancing through a lively Zumba class, every moment with family and friends felt like a celebration. Crossing the mighty Mississippi always calls for a Mark Twain quote, and today, I found just the right one.

“You meet people who forget you. You forget people you meet. But sometimes you meet those people you can't forget. Those are your ‘friends’”.

One photograph can hold a universe of meaning. These images whisper stories beyond what words can tell. Some places capture your heart for a visit, but one truly feels like home. It's now time to get some rest. Dublin tomorrow

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Still in Florida on April 6th

Anyone who reads my work, books, and blog/stories knows I love a good quote. So when I started preparing my journaling for this trip, I must have spent at least a few days skimming through quotes.

I spent some of this Easter break creating an Irish vibe by working on a few half pints of Guinness, watching the movie The Commitments, and studying maps of Ireland. And as I listened to The Belfast Cowboys, a great Minneapolis band that covers Van Morrison, I am reminded that we can be transformed to a place we've never set foot in.

So, tune in to this Van Morrison song and close your eyes as you sail into the mystic.

"Sláinte" (pronounced slawn-cha)

We were born before the windAlso, younger than the sun'Ere the bonnie boat was wonAs we sailed into the mystic

Click here for song

Join me on this daily adventure as the journey kicks off in Minneapolis on April 8th and leaps across the Atlantic to Ireland on April 10th. Expect snapshots, stories, flavors, tunes, and quirky tidbits from every stop. Spread the word to friends, family, and students. And yes, every pub photo will be a vital piece of cultural research.

******And always feel free to leave a comment or question

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Frank Acevedo on April 20, 2026

Thank you for sharing enjoy and have fun.
Donna Moriarity on April 19, 2026

So much fun living vicariously through you in Ireland. Looks like you’re having the time of your life.Good for you! Enjoy!
Donna Moriarity on April 13, 2026

This is so much fun to read.. keep it up and enjoy!!
Justin Fox on April 10, 2026

I hope you’re having a fabulous time so far!
Nikki on April 09, 2026

looking forward to more posts from you jill!! enjoy your adventure :D