IRELAND~2013~PEOPLE

Once again I find myself with almost no photos of people....

Here we are....Mark was constantly assembling us for "The Group Photo". This is my favorite.

 How could I forget Barry and Peter? Two of the more memorable folks from our group.

We had lunch one day in Lisdoonvarna. Each September it is the location of one of Europe's largest match making events...resident matchmaker is Willy Daly.
I missed the Tea Dance but I fear these are some hopefuls leaving town alone.
All conjecture on my part...

Sean exhibiting the JOY of cycling.

Friendship, conversation and Guinness.

Mark delivering our daily ration of crisps.

We could not have designed a more perfect day for a Burren Hillwalk

Ron, enjoying some Bushmills overlooking the Burren

Watering flowers in the rain...

A pint after a days work

The Seaweed Harvester

Homemade scones at Birdys Tea House which was actually her kitchen.
She's been welcoming folks into her home for 45 years, delightful in all respects.

Birdy

Lunch in a pub somewhere.....

Comedians

IRISH ANIMALS

The first animal I encountered....

Connemara Jack Russell Terrier, Irish Short Leg, Irish Jack.....??? I still wanted to bring one home with me.

There seemed to be horses everywhere and like the cows they seem to have the best real estate around. I went a little crazy photographing them so bear with me and be thankful I'm not showing you all my pictures.....yawn!

Such a noble beast.

Aww....

meeting of the minds

These two were my favorites

Muscovy Duck

Tie Dyed Sheep

mmmm blackberries

I think the National bird of Ireland is a Lapwing, the crow should be the runner up because they are everywhere. At dawn and dusk the skies are full and they make such a racket.
This is a Jackdaw Crow

Rooster

ram

Billy Goat

Winter Robin

That's all folks......

IRISH ROADS

Irish roads remind me of Boston roads; former cow paths that are narrower, steeper and make even less sense. Don't get me wrong, these were amazing roads to cycle on. Encountering an automobile was an event and when it occurred the drivers were so considerate.

No one in our group managed to cycle up this hill!

Undulating hills were far more frequent

The Irish are so friendly, stopped to take a picture and this pleasant fellow wanted to know if we were lost or maybe he just wanted to chat. Everyone wants to know where you're from, when you say Boston they want to know if you might know their cousin who lives there.

A road with grass growing in the middle means you are more likely to meet livestock than an automobile....so inviting.

No, I wasn't kidding. (Note, this photo was taken in 2007.)

A bit obsessed with the roads, those orange flowers were growing everywhere, so pretty.

We got lost on this road....go figure.

Getting lost has its own rewards, a two mile down hill cycle into town.

ancient road in the Burren

This is Mark, our amazing guide, he would check up on us, give us helpful hints, cheer on our progress and hand us a bag of crisps for a post ride snack.
He took good care of us on the road and off.