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One week from today we are due to arrive Shannon, Co. Clare for a tour of the West and Northwest of Ireland!  :)

We will be escorted by James and Donnie who make up the very talented Celtic music duo Men of Worth. http://www.menofworth.com/ I have seen Men of Worth live three times and will tell you they ROCK!  ;)

The counties we will spend significant time in are Leitrim, Sligo, Donegal and Mayo. The focus will be on music, rural Ireland, music, culture, music, history and, did I mention music?  ;D

Interested person can view the itinerary here (two page online PDF): http://www.menofworth.com/Files/Itinerary%20Leitrim%20Donegal%202012.pdf

Four nights lodging each in Drumshanbo on the southern tip of Lough Allen, Co Leitrim and the beautiful Rathmullan House on the west shore of Lough Swilly, Rathmullan, Co. Donegal should make for a very relaxing travel tempo. It is said that the food and lodging at the Rathmullan House is to die for!

Many highlights await. Two, not in the itinerary, I will mention- We will celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary in Rathmullan on 1 May! How cool is that?  :-* On 3 May I will visit the famous Leo’s Tavern over in Gweedore! http://www.leostavern.com/about/ I might not survive the case of goosebumps on that one!  :o

We aren’t taking any commo devices. No cell phones, no lap top; none of that stuff. We are taking digital camera’s so, upon our return, I will try to file a little report with some pictures.  :)

Edit: It looks like Leo's website is no more as of yesterday or today.  :'(   I think their on MySpace.
Then there is this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leo%27s_Tavern
I wonder if I will still get their Newsletters?

Awesome! Wishing you save travels and have a great time!

Thanks for your well wishes Mary!

In doing some last minute checking I see that the Ramada Lough Allen has welcomed our tour escorts Men of Worth and announced the four nights of music on their Facebook link off their website: http://www.ramadahotelleitrim.com/   8)

In scrolling down for other recent Facebook post I see what appears to be a major beauty contest is scheduled while we are there.  LOL! It may not exactly be Celtic Culture but I'm totally on board with this!   ;D


Hmmm...  :-\  Maybe Facebook has some value afterall. LOL!

Edit: In looking at this further (and trying to understand Facebook) I believe this event will be held at a different hotel. But it is being held while we are in Ireland so I'm going to leave this post as is. Besides, Holly is too beautiful to take her image down!  :D

Sounds like a great trip! Have a fun time, David! And an early happy anniversary to you and Diane!

Sounds like good fun  :D  I'll be visiting Ireland's 'neighbour' Scotland this summer, should be a worth trip too. Parents are threating to kick me out of the house though if I come back with a bagpipe player  :P

Thanks Mikey!


That's hilarious Mary! Tell them I think you could do a lot worse than a bagpipe player.  ;)

  HOLY  IRISH BABES , BATMAN...... !!!   Wouldn't it be great if Holly sang too!  ;D ;D ;D   :o :o :o

So... you noticed Holly's lovely, sparkling crown too?  ;D

You know there is a talent element to the competition. If I wasn't leaving for Ireland early tomorrow I would look into this.

I think I will take a few minutes to see if I can find the colleens; Miss Leitrim and Miss Donegal.  ;)

OK! Here is Sarah Kennedy, Miss Donegal 2012: http://www.donegaldemocrat.ie/news/local/portnoo-beauty-to-represent-donegal-in-miss-ireland-1-3765062. By reading the article Miss Kennedy comes across as a fine young lady.  :)

Can't find Miss Leitrim. I'm starting to think County Leitrim dosen't have an entry for Miss Ireland this year.  :(

According to reports the 2012 contest went sideways.  :(

Galway beauty, Marie Hughes' won the crown but it wasn't long before she was dethroned. Why? Too old to go on to the Miss World contest! For crying out loud! 25 should not be too old for a beauty contest.

First runner up, Belfast beauty, Rebecca Maguire now has the crown and will represent Ireland at Miss World:

http://www.missosology.org/main/index.php/miss-world/road-to-miss-world-2011/1012-miss-ireland-2012-marie-hughes-dethroned.html

While visiting rural Ireland during the time of this contest I observed no interest in this by the print and TV media or the local people I talked to.  :)

And so the "report" on our wonderful vacation with Men of Worth to rural Ireland begins. I'm going to be brief and hold back much more than I show and write about. I will briefly say that Ireland was all and more than I expected and hoped for.  :D


Apologies for the oversize images. My 'puter and Photobucket are not behaving well right now. Patience please. I will either figure it out or, more likely, it will clear up on it's own. If neither happens I will take a break until a fix is had.

Edit: Well it appears that, overnight, the pictures magically went to the size I selected.  :D That certainly wasn't the case last night!  ::)

After shopping in Galway we would hit the road for a provided lunch at Gleason's in Roscommon town then continue on to Ramada Inn Lough Allen which would be our lodging, and base, for the next four days.


Little did I know, after this provided music, I would exit to the pub where a session was just getting under way with some 20 plus local musicians/vocalist playing and singing Trad tunes and songs. It turns out the pub at the Ramada is very popular with the local musicians and singers! Heaven on earth and a pint of Guiness!  ;D

And this was just the beginning of the music and dance I would see and enjoy every day for the next 10 days...  :D

     What a fantastic trip, as evidenced by some great photos, David and your captions explaining them!  I'd love to have been there!  Post us some more when you get a chance!  8) :)

Spunds like y6ou had an AMAZING time!!!  Those pictures are just stunning!  Even though I was on the fence about going next year, lately those pictures make me want to take the next flight over!!  just beautiful!  And how were the busses (I am looking at doing a bus tour??!!) Did everything go smoothly?? I am sure you will have those memories forever!

I'm on it John!  ;)

Well sorta'... At the moment I'm experiencing some performance issues and difficulties with managing the images on and off of Photobucket.

Thanks for the encouragement!  :D I will keep chipping away at it.

I can only speak for our one experience with Men of Worth. All of the logistics could not have been better organized. But I should explain...

James and Donnie, aka: the lads, have been hosting these escorted vacations to Ireland and Scotland for 10 years. They put a tremendous amount of planning and work into these tours. This includes James's beautiful wife Bronagh who was along to help the lads in looking after us. In fact James and Bronagh were "boots on the ground" about two weeks early to make final site inspections and confirm all the arrangements from lodging and meals to castle tours, boat cruises, etc., etc., etc.

As for the bus; the lads have settled on Michael Corduff as one of the best providers and they always request Martin to be the driver. Because the lads plan well ahead I think the request for Martin is always granted.

On the bus James provides the color commentary. In Scotland Donnie provides the commentary. The PA system on the bus is excellent. The airline industry should look into that system. LOL!  :D

Bronagh has always been involved with the tour planning, bookeeping, etc. in a behind the scenes role. Recently she departed her day job so she can devote 100% to these tours and the lads concert tours in the states. Now Bronagh will be going along on most, if not all tours, to help the lads in looking after their guests.

Great photos, David! I'm glad to hear you enjoyed yourself!

Thanks Mikey!

Friday morning (our second full day in Ireland) we visited Boyle Abbey in Co. Roscommon...
http://www.discoverireland.com/us/ireland-things-to-see-and-do/listings/product/?fid=FI_12037
http://www.heritageireland.ie/en/West/BoyleAbbey/


Edit: Once again I have no clue why (5) pictures are bigger than I intend. Maybe they will "fix" themselves like before?

After working up an appetite at Boyle Abbey we headed north to Sligo town keen for some hot lunch and more SHOPPING!


One more comment I will undoubtly repeat often in this thread... It's true, the Irish people are very warm and friendly! Far from naive they retain a kind of delightful "innocence" (for lack of a better word) that has been sadly lost by many people in the USA. May God bless them all.

  You ALWAYS take great pictures!  And the captions are pretty good too.  ;)

It's not me! It's Canon and the techno-gizmo miracle of point 'n shoot cameras.  :-[ ;D

Much later I might put up the best picture of all which was taken by Bronagh with my camera!  ;) :D

As for the captions I will have to take full blame...  :P

Leaving Sligo we took a "country drive" back to our home base in Drumshanbo.


That night (Friday) we were entertained by Vinegar Bill, a popular Trad music band out of Roscommon town. Vinegar Bill is two pairs of brothers along with a sister to two of the brothers. They put on a great concert!

The next morning (Saturday) a bunch of us went on a long walk escorted by John Reynolds (the aforementioned local man with the passion for the history of Ireland). It was an exquisite morning for walking, talking and enjoying rural Ireland!!!!!!  ;D



During this walk John told me about the first time he saw a "cinema" (movie). It was in the 1950s. A traveling cinema came to town, set up a huge tent and hired a local farmer's tractor to turn the electric generator. (God I love this stuff!) (For those that don't know "Lectricity" didn't come to the West and Northwest of Ireland until the late 1950s and early 60s.)

Irronically, the movie John saw was The Quiet Man. Well, I have always had issues with that movie so I couldn't help but ask him: Was the movie well received? He answered: No! Then went on to explain about the sterotypes portrayed in the movie overshadowed the good parts. I completely understood his explanation.

We had heard the buzz! A community "Horse Market" was scheduled in Drumshanbo for Saturday. Well this was a no brainer! Lets go!!!!  :D


It was quite a specticle! Straight away I was keen to buy my bride one of those famous 99s!


These few following pics don't even begin to represent all we saw at the Horse Market!  :o


The nice man selling these puppies (green jacket just to left of shot) immediately recognized we were Yanks. He first asked if we were on holiday. Then, straight away, he asked with excitement, Have you ever been to Graceland? I replied No! (Fortunately he didn't give me time to even consider expanding on my disinterest with that place.)

His reply was, My lifes ambition is to go to Graceland and see Elvis's grave. He then proceeded to tell me all about the first time he saw Elvis on TV in 1971 and what a great performer Elvis was. (God love him, on and on he went).

By this time I'm feeling like I've either slipped into the Twilight Zone or the movie The Last of the High Kings. LOL!  :D

So I tell him my "Graceland" is Leo's Tavern up in Co. Donegal and I'm very excited to be visiting the home of Clannad, Enya and the Duggan brothers in a few days.  ;)

He knew about Leo's so I said, Since your obsessed with Elvis and I'm obsessed with the Irish/Celtic music maybe we should swap houses!  ;) :D

He seemed interested but showed his wisdom when he asked, Wait a minute, just how far is Nevada from Graceland?

LOL! Needless to say the deal was off at the moment. ;D

That afternoon we went to a raptor research centre for a Birds of Prey Demonstration.

...The IRISH RAPTOR RESEARCH CENTRE is a scientifically managed sanctuary for Birds of Prey and Owls.
Situated on 27 hectares, the sanctuary is home to about 350 birds and animals out of 75 species.
Established in 1999 the centre was originally set up for research purposes only, but as a consequence of increasing interest and local awareness, it was decided to open parts of the centre to visitors...

Complete information here: http://eaglesflying.com/index.htm


The raptor and owl demonstration was very dramatic and informative. A good time was had by all. Below are six images from the demonstration:

This will be my last post on the CWForum for several days. I'm throwing a leg over the BMW and going riding! Varooom, Varooom!  ;D
Lord willing I will endeavour to pickup, where I left off, in about a week.  ;) :)

AWESOME pics and stories David, glad you had a great time and thanks for sharing!!

Thank you for sharing all about your trip!!! I was all over this thread hehe^^ I just love the pictures! I certainly miss Home... You didn't by any chance meet anyone from Armagh did you?

Thanks Mary!

As you know deciding on, resizing and posting multiple images is a fair amount of work. Between the fairly high "view count" and an occasional encouraging word like yours I will continue.

Thanks for the encoragement Hayley!  :) Hope I'm not making you too homesick!  :'( Now that I have visited Ireland I completely understand why you miss it.

I'm fairly certain we didn't meet anyone from Co. Armagh.

We met loads of people but most were local to the areas of the Republic that we visited. We visited Northern Ireland on two different days (as you will briefly see in future posts). Unfortunately, we didn't get anywere near Armagh.  :(

 Hmmm...    :-\  Those raptor pics would be pretty cool for the "Birds"  thread. Just a thought... :)   p.s. and you are too modest. 

I will post a link from there to here. (If my 'puter is well behaved! LOL!  :D )

So we returned to Drumshanbo late Saturday afternoon and a few of us are keen to watch some of the Trad dance compititions.

Entering the place we immediately see that the Trad Waves stage is dressed up really nice...


When entering the people that I was with chose to sit at the back. I was having nothing to do with that. I proceeded forward looking for a better seat. The nice lady that was organizing the dance compititions recognized me and waved me up to sit with her in the front row.  8) (She had visited our group the night before and briefed and invited us to the compititions).

She was such a sweetie!  ;) She explained every technical dance thing that was going on and gave me the VIP treatment!  ;D

Compitions covered multiple forms of Trad Irish dance and multiple age classifications from children to teens to adults. Most of the compititions were solo dances but there were a few ensembles. I took loads of pictures but most came out blurry so I will only post this one:


Next post: Saturday nite Pub Crawl Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim!  ;D :D  ;)  :o  :P

In my book a vacation to Ireland can not be topped!  ;)

In reference to my openning post in this topic...

I am still getting Newsletters from Leo's Tavern!!!  ;D   Here quoted is their latest:


Obviously the date of the posting is a typo.  :)

Saturday nite's after dinner music was provided by our "Tour Minders", James and Donnie, aka: Men of Worth.

LOL! NOT to be confused with "Men of Girth"!  ;D:  http://www.menofworth.com/

Later that night...

At this stage I was waaaay overdue to go on a real Irish Pub Crawl. (NOT to be confused with bar hop! LOL!) So Mark (another in our group of dumb American tourists) and I set out on foot into the brisk, even magical, air of the Irish night bound for tiny "downtown" Drumshanbo where we had been told several pubs could be found.  8)

I felt like I was Walking on Air!  Well the first and second pubs we encountered were packed with patrons and musicians! Hardly even standing room was visible from the doorway! We decided to split up and try to find our own way. I walked alone, further into the village, and soon arrived at a doorway to another tiny pub packed as the others. I decided I must, somehow, wiggle in.  :)

The place was hopping with local musicians and vocalists deep into their Trad music session. To my utter surprise, at that moment, a man stood up to leave and offered me his stool at the bar.  :) I Immediately ordered a pint of Guinness and sat to enjoy the MUSIC!  ;D

Suddenly, here I was in a tiny village pub, deep in rural Ireland, enjoying a Guinness, served properly, and listening to local musicians and vocalists doing what they do all the time! It could not have been more wonderful!  ;) :D

The bar minders were several and mostly young. In time (between tunes and songs) me and one of the bar minders struck up a conversation about motorcycle racing. He was a big fan as am I. We talked about the current news and stars of Moto GP. I asked him if he was following the amazing two Ulstermen Johnny Rea and  Eugene Laverty in FIM World Superbike. He said, unfortunately, they don't get World Superbike on TV. Then he asked me if I have ever heard of Joey Dunlop from Ballymoney! I replied, Joey Dunlop? Are you kidding? One of the greatest true road racers of all time! So we talked about Joey and his amazing little brother Robert, who are now both deceased from doing what they loved.  :'(

As time went on I was feeling a bit underdressed in a button down shirt without tie. Many of the male patrons were in shirit 'n  tie and even coat and many of the ladies were in very pretty dresses.

Ordering my second pint, a couple, about my age, came in and two gentleman to my right got up to leave and offered them their stools. As it would develope Sheamus and Eileen would be very warm and friendly to me.  :)

VERY briefly... Eileen was closest to me, introduced herself and himself, and was very interested in me, where I was from, and what I was doing in Ireland. Of course I was equally interested in them. Sheamus was in coat and tie and Eileen was dolled up in a very pretty dress making me feel a bit low. Anyway, we had a wonderful ramblinging converstaion that included how happy Eileen was to be recently retired, how Sheamus would need to keep working forever, and how excited I was to soon visit Leo's Tavern in Gweedore, Co. Donegal.

Eileen didn't know about Leo's and asked, Oh, do you have family up there? I replied No! and explained. It turned out she knew well of Clannad, Moya, Enya, etc. but did not know of Leo's.  ???

I thank Sheamus and Eileen for being so warm and open to me and adding immeasurably to my experience of rural Ireland!

And I offer this brief, anecdotal, account only to demonstrate that the Irish people are as warm and friendly as any people, anywhere.

Here are two pictuers I took of the Session in that pub:

I grant you it it the simplest things in life that I admire, and enjoy, most.  :)

So my BIG pub crawl adventure amounted to one pub and two pints.  :-[ Never mind, it could not have been more fun and interesting!  :D

Sunday morning we were off to beautiful Lough Gill and (Robert) Parke's Castle.


The cruise on the lough would include selected WB Yeats poetry recited by the skipper and our own Irishman, James, singing The Isle of Innisfree acaplela. This may sound corny for the cynical reader. The cynical reader's loss, my gain.  ;) :D

A few scenes from Lough Gill:


Next up... Parke's Castle.  :)

Beautiful photos and wonderful stories, David! Keep 'em coming!

I'm on it! Thanks Mikey.  :)

Right after our wonderful cruise on Lough Gill ( and a lunch of sandwiches onboard) we walked from the dock up to Parke's Castle for what would be a very informative and fun tour. Unfortunately I didn't manage my camera battery correctly so the pictures below are from Diane's camera and she only took exterior views. To find a few interior views, including Richard and Mary Parke models, in period dress sitting around one of the many fireplaces, please follow this link:

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=Parkes+Castle+Ireland&qpvt=Parkes+Castle+Ireland&FORM=IGRE#x0y0


Our guide was very informative and personally interesting. At one point she did a lengthy Trad Irish dance for us. She also told us that she grew up in a cottage with a thatched roof (the 1950s).  She didn't realize that had become unusual until she started school. Peer pressure made her ashamed and she wished none of her school chums knew. But now, as a student and teacher of Irish history she is not ashamed and feels blessed to have grown up under a thatched roof.

Sunday afternoon all of us would be profoundly moved by the Arigna Mining Experience Tour.

Arigna is a coal mine with history from the 17th Century to it's closure in 1990.

http://www.arignaminingexperience.ie/

Our Sunday night, after dinner, music would be provided by Catmelodeon feat. the lads (aka: Men of Worth).

Unfortunately, no pictures. My camera was back in the room on the battery charger with the "prong converter" generously provided by Donnie.  :-[

Catmelodeon is primarily two young musicians out of Sligo town- Rodney Lancashire and Séamus Hernon who's focus is on the Irish Trad. (In the recent past Rodney and Séamus have collaborated in live performance with none other than Cathy Jordan of the well known Irish band Dervish. Cathy is, afterall, nearby Roscommon-born.  ;). Hurray for rural Ireland!!!  ;) ;D)

(As foretold upthread) Peter and Margret would join us for the concert. Late into these performances James would always invite those in the audience to offer request or to sing a song. Well! Peter spoke up and said his wife was a pretty good singer. Long story short Margret sang "A Mothers Love" acapela. Margret absolutely floored us all with her beautiful interpretation of this wonderful song!  :-* ;) :)

Catmelodeon and the lads decided that topping Margret was impossible. The concert was declared over on this very high point and we all retired to the adjacent Ramada pub!  :D

During this "quality pub time" LOL! Rodney and I talked at length.

Very briefly- with passion Rodney told me of Catmelodeon heart's desire to visit America and share their music live were they expect their music would be received far beyond what they experience in Ireland. I shared with him my amateur methods of "promoting" Órla Fallon. He knew of Órla's music and gave me two Catmelodeon CDs and his Email with the only condition, Please keep in touch.

In time Rodney, Séamus and other musicians, who LOL! just happened to be there, would settle, quite spontaneously, into a late night Trad music session. I'd just as soon died and gone to heaven!  ;) :D

(No bull you non-Irish folks! This is what happens in Ireland all the time!  :D)

Next up. We pack our bags and head north to County Donegal and the tiny village of Rathmullan.  :)

http://www.rathmullan.net/

  I like the pics of the artwork. And I bet Yeats never dreamed of someone like our Orla would be singing about an island he mentioned.  :D

Glad you likey.  :) Here's another large piece that caught my eye:  ;)


Belleek Pottery is magnificently set up for visitors and tour groups- including a highly recommended cafe. Just to be different Diane and I decided to walk into tiny Belleek were we found a cozy and friendly little cafe and had a delicious lunch. The ambience was lovely.

Belleek is a "border town". Like most businesses on, or near, the border they were set up to take our Euros but gave us change in the queen's money. Under the circumstances completely understandable.

Loving all of it David, keep the pictures and stories coming!  ;D

LOL Mary! I'm peddling the electronic bicycle as fast as I can ;D

So Monday afternoon would start the second half of our vacation to rural Ireland. We depart Belleek, Co. Fermanagh, for Rathmullan, Co. Donegal in a sparkling clean bus. The people at the Belleek Pottery "Works" are brillant! They even provide a valet wash facility for tour bus operators.  ;) While we were fascinated on factory tour and enjoying lunch, Martin, our expert wheelman and total pro, went to washing-up the bus!  ;)

Martin would expertly negotiate several small villages and the beautiful city of Letterkenny on the southern shore of Lough Swilly enroute to our new "home"...

Shortly after settling in to our new "home" it was off to the town and beach for Diane and I...

Tuesday, 1 May our primary destination would be Glencolumbkille (Gleann Cholm Cille), Co Donegal and it's Folk Village Museum.

On the way we would stop and explore Killybegs, said to be one of the most important commercial fishing ports in Western Europe.  8)

Following Killybegs we would spend several delightful hours in nearby Glencolumbkille, Co Donegal
(aka: Gleann Cholm Cille, Co. Dhún na nGall).

I meant to mention the  Glencolumbkille Folk Village has a well stocked gift shop. Diane bought a very nice sweater, knitted of Irish wool of course. She will get many winters of comfort from that warm sweater!

Back "home" at the Rathmullan House our after dinner music would be agumented by a performance of Trad Irish dancing!


This day also happened to be our 30th wedding anniversary.  :-*  The lads, and Bronagh, covertly collaborated with the House for a cake!

Thank you James, Bronagh and Donnie!  :D

As mentioned upthread the beach at Rathmullan is know for the daily excercise of race horses.

I gather the licensed trainer in Rathmullan is Mr Thomas McLaughlin.

Here is the current list of licensed trainers in Co Donegal: http://info.hri-racing.ie/Content/RAS/TrainersRegion.aspx?County=Donegal

I don't know if the horses are only run at low tide or only early morning and late evening. All I can say is we were privileged to see some of the horses getting their workouts in the early mornings- which was also low tide during our visit.

Upthread I mentioned that Rathmullan held an important place in the history of Ireland. The 1607 Flight of the Earls is one of the most mysterious and intriguing turning points in all of Irish history.


On a contemporary note here are some pictures of Rathmullan buildigs:

Thanks David!!!! This is making me so pumped for Scotland, even though I hardly know anything about it and there are probably enough differences with Ireland.. but still...  ;D

With all the English/Irish signs, have you heard much Irish from the locals? (I always seem to mess up the spelling from whatever it's called ::)) I understand the tours were in English, but find the sharing of English and Irish very interesting, and I'm simply curious how many Irish is actually spoken in Ireland.

I have not been to Scotland Mary but I'm sure you will have many wonderful experiences and come away with many fond memories!  :D  The way I look at it the lads wouldn't organize equal numbers of tours to Ireland and Scotland if Scotland wasn't just as fun and interesting as Ireland.  ;)


I think it is safe to say most native Irish people have a working knowledge of Gaeilge (Irish Gaelic). After all, the native tongue is taught in school, if not also at home. Irish is probably heard and used more in the rural counties and villages- and yes we did hear it in use on many occasions, during our adventures.

My limitation in answering your question is the Irish are very sharp in recognizing visitors from America. They are also a very warm and gracious people and "shut the Irish off" out of courtesy to their English speaking visitors. (I'm sure it is courtesy and any shame is a thing of the past.)

As you can imagine I didn't travel 8000 miles to watch TV but I did notice that Rugby games were broadcast completely in Irish.
However... The big, annual Punchestown horse races were underway and were broadcast in English.

In my limited experience the daily use of Irish is probably most prevalent in the north and west of Co. Donegal. I will have a little story about that when I post about our visit to Leo's Tavern in the Gweedore region of Co Donegal.  ;)

Hope this helps!   :)

Is it Wednesday?  :-\ LOL!  I think so...

This was the day that the tour was scheduled visit Letterkenny. For a bunch of reason that I won't attempt to explain the lads and the group agreed on a last minute change. No knock on Letterkenny, which by all accounts is a happen' place, it was decided that the group would hang out in beautiful Rathmullan for horseback riding, maybe some golf, a car load to Leo's Tavern, etc.

For Diane and I it would be a leisurely morning of further exploring Rathmullan followed by a provided lunch at Rathmullan House.

Before we ever left Nevada Donnie (the Scottish half of the lads, aka: http://www.menofworth.com/) had figured it all out for us. A gentleman named John Kelly operates a transportation service from Rathmullan. Too easy! Mr. Kelly would drive us, and any others to Leo's!

Right on time John picked us, and our friend Paul, up for the one hour drive to the remote north western shore of Co Donegal.  8)

On the way John told us many interseting things about the history and current events of these parts of Co Donegal. This part of Ireland is dominated by what the locals call the bogs. This is the peat that they harvest for fuel to heat their houses. The hillsides are covered with it and he would point out areas undergoing harvest and even if it was hand or machine harvesting. Here and there we would see cut peat laid out for drying and curing. Being early May the Heather wasn't blommin' yet so the lanscape was dominated by a soft golden brown hue.

After the delightful drive we slowed for the tiny village of Crolly (Croitnli) and suddenly there was the sign I was looking for!  ;D


Next stop LEO"S!!!!!  :D :D :D :D :D

BTW: Leo's website is back up as of a couple of days ago! http://www.leostavern.com/music/summer-entertainment/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+LeosTavern+%28Leo%27s+Tavern%29

Or more simply: http://www.leostavern.com/

Tábhairne Leo is located in tiny Meenaleck, The Rosses on R 259 very close to the junction with N 56. This is between the villages of Crolly and Annagary. This region is one of many in the Republic known as the Gaeltacht wherin the government recognizes (and encourages) that Irish is the first language of it's people: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaeltacht

Leo Brennan established his tavern in 1968. About 10 years ago Leo's youngest son Bartley became the manager. In 2003 Bartley renovated the tavern, taking great care to improve the place while preserving it's ambience.  ;)

During the winter/spring the tavern is open with reduced hours- not opening until 4pm. We arrived a few ticks after 4 and the door was locked! Not to fear! Sean, the bar minder on the night, heard us and immediately opened the door and invited us in. John, ever the gentleman, explained to Sean who we were. Sean told us to look around and he would be at our service shortly- then got busy with opening chores including building a turf fire in one of the two fireplaces.

In the meantime I/we captured these pictures:

I was finishing the pleasant task of taking pictures of all the awards and memorabilia on the walls when Paul came over to me and said, Your Guinness is ready whenever you are.   :D

So we all gathered in the "bar quarter" of Leo's that was warming-up with the pleasant odor of the turf fire that Sean had built in the fireplace. Like most of the bar minders I saw on this vacation, Sean is young and made us feel more like old friends than tourist from another country.  :)

Sean seemed genuinely interested in where we had been and what we had been doing and seeing in Ireland. He asked questions and laughed at our funny stories. When I clumsily attempted to express how the soft spot in our hearts for Ireland and it's people had grown ever larger he simply nodded his head in understanding. (LOL! I think he has heard these sorts of awkward sentiments before!  ;) :D)

Anyway, after a time, Diane came over and said, Come meet this couple and their little niece. (While I had been talking to Sean she had been talking to a local couple who had come in with their 4 year old niece.)

Long story short we had a delightful conversation with this lovely couple and their beautiful niece (Once again I can not tell you how warm and open the Irish people are!  :)) I purposely didn't take pictures but will assure you the little girl was beautiful with redish-blond hair and blue eyes. She was very outgoing and sang a lenghty Trad song for us in Irish as well as demonstarting her ability to count from one to thirty in both Irish and English. (She stressed she can count to one hundred but stopped at thirty for brevity! :D). Although only four years old her singing voice was captivating!


Leaving Leo's John would drive us back to Rathmullan in time for the multi-course meal-to-die-for and the after dinner music with our tour group. All in all a very good day in Co Donegal!  ;) ;D

Please note: If you are ever in, or near, Rathmullan and need a lift Mr. John Kelly is your man. He operates a number of vehicles of various capacities. Mr. Kelly is a supreme gentleman and his fares are reasonable. John is easy to find- he and his wife have the Post Office contract for Rathmullan.  :)

   I love the pic of all the ships lined up together. As always your camera serves you well.   ;)

As planned we returned to the Rathmullan House in plenty of time for dinner with the group. The lads always entertained request at the after dinner music and this would be the night they performed The Homes of Donegal with James covering the vocals. Outstanding! Thank you James and Donnie!

The next day (Thursday) we would hop on the bus for Northern Ireland, the Giants Causeway and the Walled City Of Derry (aka: Londenderry).


Most of you know the ancient legend is that a giant in Scotland decided to walk the Causeway over to Ireland and take control. Well, the giant in Ireland heard about this so had a really big craddle built. Then he dressed up like a baby and crawled into the huge crib. When the giant from Scotland saw the "baby" he said, If that's the baby I don't want to see daddy! And promptly ran back to Scotland.  :D


Next post: The Walled City of Derry (aka: Londenderry). (Please don't hold your breath, due to the political implications I'm not going to show much  :-\ ).

We had a very interesting guided tour along the top of of the wall that surrounds Derry.


I suggest every interested person do their own research on the history of Derry (aka: Londenderry). I suppose this is as good a place as any to start:

http://www.bing.com/search?q=walled+city+of+derry+ireland&qs=AS&form=QBLH&pq=walled+city+of+derry&sc=2-20&sp=1&sk=

Sadly, every good thing must end. Friday morn we would leave our "home" at Rathmullan House

Our last night was where it had all began 10 days ago.

Great photos, David! It's easy to tell that you and Diane enjoyed yourself!

Copied from an Email from Donnie...

2012 Live Performances (August/September/October/November)

Wed 29 Aug Petaluma, CA 7.00pm

Cinnabar Theater, 3333 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma, CA 94952

www.cinnabartheater.org (707) 763-8920

 

Thu 30 Aug South Lake Tahoe, CA 7.30pm

Valhalla Boathouse Theater, HWY 89, South Lake Tahoe, CA

www.valhallatahoe.com (530) 541-4975

 

Fri 31 Aug Folsom, CA 7.00pm

Mount Olive Lutheran Church, 320 Montrose Drive, Folsom, CA 95630

(800) 595-4849 (916) 989-4800 Tickets at the door!

or online at mountoliveartscouncil.tix.com

www.mountolive.cc

 

Sat 8, Sun 9 Sept Kelso, WA ‘Highland Games’ Performances throughout the day!

Tam o' Shanter Park, Kelso, WA

www.highlander,kelso.gov www.kelso.gov/visitors/highlander-festival

 

Sat 29 Sept Dixon, CA ‘Scottish Games & Gathering’ Performances throughout the day!

Dixon Fairgrounds, 655 South First St. HWY 113, Dixon, CA

www.scotsindixon.org/dsca.games.htm

 

Sat 6 Oct Blairsden, CA ‘Celtic Festival’ Festival open from 4.30pm – 9.00pm

(Sponsored by the Eastern Plumas Chamber of Commerce)

Barn Complex in Blairsden, Intersection of HWY 89 & 70 Blairsden, CA 96103

Tickets: Chamber Office in Blairsden; River Pines Resort in Graeagle; Wiggins Trading Post in Chilcoot

Contact: Audrey Ellis (530) 836-6811

 

Fri 9 Nov Yerington, NV 7.30pm

Jeanne Dini Center, 120 N. California Street, Yerington, NV 89447

www.yeringtonarts.org (775) 463-1783

Tickets $18 YTA Members $16 Will Call available

 

Sat 10 Nov Woodland, CA 7.30pm

Woodland Opera House Theatre, 340 2nd Street, Woodland, CA 95695

www.wohtheatre.org $16 Adult $8 (age 17 and under)

 
More details on the following November Concerts in a later e-mail.

Tue 13 Nov Orangevale, CA Annual Fundraiser at Casa Roble High School

Wed 14 Nov Merced, CA Merced Multicultural Arts Ctr. www.artsmerced.org

Thu 15 Nov Lake Isabella, CA Cerro Coso College

Fri 16 Nov Ridgecrest, CA Cerro Coso College

Sat 17 Nov Encinitas, CA San Diego Folk Heritage www.sdfolkheritage.org


2014 TOURS: (Both 2013 Tours are already full)

2014 Vacation Tour in IRELAND

The Wicklow & Wexford Tour in Ireland with Men of Worth 25 Mar - 3 Apr (Disperses AM 4th)

First and Final nights at the Park Inn, Shannon Airport

Brooklodge Hotel, Macreddin Village, Co Wicklow (4 nights) www.brooklodge.com

Kelly's Hotel, Rosslare, Co Wexford (4 nights) www.kellys.ie

$2,850 P/P Sharing (Includes Dinner, Bed & Breakfast & Tips) (Excludes: flights; lunches)

(Singles: Spaces already FULL. BTW: Single cost is $3,150)

Enquiries: Donnie at minchmusic@comcast.net (916) 214-4776 (Doubles/Twins available)

 

2014 Vacation Tour in SCOTLAND

The Lewis & Harris Tour in Scotland with Men of Worth 4 Oct - 13 Oct (Disperses AM 14th)

First and Final nights at the Holiday Inn, Glasgow Airport

The Harris Hotel, Tarbert, Isle of Harris (3 nights) www.harrishotel.com

The Caladh Inn, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis (3 nights) www.caladhinn.co.uk

Also single nights in Mallaig, and in Ullapool, going to and coming from the Outer Hebrides

$2,850 P/P Sharing (Includes Dinner, Bed & Breakfast & Tips) (Excludes: flights; lunches)

(Singles: Spaces already FULL. BTW: Single cost is $3,150)

Enquiries: Donnie at minchmusic@comcast.net (916) 214-4776 (Doubles/Twins available)

More info here: http://www.menofworth.com/index.asp

Caught a good picture of Donnie (the Scottish half of Men of Worth http://www.menofworth.com/) just prior to their performance Thursday night last at the Valhalla Boathouse Theatre, South Lake Tahoe, CA, USA. True to form Donnie had just told a funny story to my wife and was enjoying her reaction.  :D


James and Donnie were superb! On the long walk out to the car we overheard many positive comments from the near sellout crowd who, by an earlier show of hands, was about 75% first timers to a Men of Worth show.

Off topic: Valhalla at Lake Tahoe is owned by the US taxpayers, administered by the United States Forest Service and managed by a non-profit, volunteer organization. Further info here: http://valhallatahoe.com/