Hannah's Ireland Page

To visit my Ireland page 2005
2005 Ireland Holiday
Hello My name is Hannah and this page is all about my Summer Holiday in Ireland 2002!
This Page was created on the 8th September 2002
On Thursday 4th July 2002, we (me and dad) caught the fast ferry from Fishguard in Wales and it took 1 1/2 hours, and we were then in Ireland We then drove to Mullinavat near Waterford where we were staying the first night
The Next day (friday 5th) Dad drove to Blarney near Cork where we stayed the night. On Saturday 6th we visited Blarney Castle. I kissed the Blarney Stone. We then drove to Killarney where we stayed 3 Nights (6th, 7th,8th July).

On Sunday the 7th we did a coach trip to go around the Ring Of Kerry, it was very nice to have a day without dad having to drive anywhere, but the only thing that spoiled going arond the Ring Of Kerry was the weather :-(
On Monday the 8th, we went to Torc Waterfalls, very nice but lots of steps to climb and very muddy under foot. We then went and did the Dingle Penninsular, much nicer than the ring of Kerry with very nice weather. Then we drove back to the B+B
Then onto Limerick for 2 nights(Tuesday 9th,Wednesday 10th) We first of all went to Bunratty Castle, before going to the B+B
On the 10th we went to the Cliff Of Moher. When we got there I said to dad I reconise this from somewhere (Features in the Westlife video for "My Love!") It was very windy on the cliffs and I had to hold onto dad!!

We then went to the Aillwee Caves- I didn't like this as I felt very scared and also very claustrophobic (meaning I don't like small confined spaces) We then went back to our B+B
Which then took us to Galway for 1 night (11th) the weather was lovely and we went to Connemaro National Park where we saw lots of lakes and mountains. after that drove around before returning to the B+B
Then on the 12th July Sligo, although we only stayed there 1 night, I met a person in a b+b who is best friends with Mae Filan, so the next morning as I was leaving (to go onto Dublin) I asked the person to give Mae Filan a note.
But also in Sligo I visited the town centre and walked past the Carlton Cafe 5 times (I remember the first time as we took 2 pictures) and this was because we kept going round in circles looking at shops!

Shane's parents Peter and Mae closed down the cafe in early 2002 to take an early retirement, but it was also because Mae was getting annoyed with all the fans coming in the cafe to see if Shane was around and not to buy any food.
But the Cafe is still going to remain in the Filans hands as one of Shanes sisters is turning it into a fashion shop and Shane will help fund it.
The last place we stayed was in Dublin and that was for 3 nights(13th,14th,15th). Our first two nights we stayed in Clontarf, and the last night we stayed near Raheney.
Every day we went in to Dublin town centre by Train.
One day in Dublin whilst sightseeing I wanted to see the Point Theatre where lots of pop bands have played. We looked on a map and it looked close to the Custom House on the north bank of the River Liffey but we couldn't find it, so we asked a couple of people and they said it was a 10 minute walk. 35 minutes later we found it, dad very tired (he's got arthritis!) and not very happy!!

On the way back we stopped at a pub for a drink and a rest then walked back again to the city centre and had a meal.

Dad is still teasing me about it!
I came back from Holiday on the 16th July and in the post I got a picture of me kissing the Blarney stone, if you kiss it, its meant to give you the gift of the gab, which means you are speaking lots.
I would put in the picture of me kissing the Blarney stone but I don't know where the picture is! (as i'm re-decorating my room)
anyway about 12 days later the postman rang on the doorbell with this long tube, dad signed for it and woke me up saying that this tube has come from Ireland, I opened it and what did i find.........................
A HUGE POSTER (2 foot x 3 foot) with Shane's autograph. I'm so happy now :-)

Can I just say PLEASE DON'T send me e-mails asking me to get you autographs as I don't want to break up a friendship, sorry!
I really enjoyed my time in Ireland, with lots of lovely scenery and its very quiet. Now I want to live there!