Lucan is a small town with big memories...memories that play
like a silent movie in my head, as stories from Fintan's childhood friends recount the fun and frolics of his formative years, over slow settled pints of Guinness. Memories of two little boys sitting on a rock
wall along the river, eating chips, deciding which ones were worth eating…and
which got thrown to the ducks. It is
filled with memories of boarding schools and the many shenanigans of young boys
at country manor bars for fancy drinks in-between school dances. There are priceless memories of old vans,
house parties, late nights, rugby matches, DIY painted cars, wooden spoons and homemade walkie
talkie set ups. Memories of the Fint I
didn’t know….but I love to learn about; stories of a sandy haired boy with a
happy disposition and an equally mischievous smile. They are such happy
memories of a childhood well lived.
Finnstown Castle Hotel
We stayed in the Finnstown Castle Hotel...which Fint has a history with. :) It is a lovely grande country house. Which is very comfortable by the crackling, warm fire place, if the weather turns cold and raining outside...which it did on this trip. So one doesn't mind getting "snowed" in...and that was all part of Fint's master plan. (Click HERE to see more on this lovely hotel).
Andrew (Andy), Warren and Fint at Finnstown in 1988
Same guys, same place 28 years later! Thy haven't aged a day. ;)
Enjoying my Full Irish Breakfast by the fireplace on a chilly morning.
Pancake Tuesday!
Pancake Tuesday! Pancake Tuesday!!
Yes…my very first Pancake Tuesday in Ireland…and it was one of the best
meals that we had in the whole trip.
Nothing like thin pancakes with fresh squeezed lemons, fresh berries and
sugar sprinkled on top to make a belly happy.
And as an even more special treat, Fint’s mum had pure maple syrup and
rashers to put on top too!! Both ways
were equally as yummy, so I had to indulge in 2 huge pancakes!
Fint the Pancake Master!
Yummy!
Pancake Master in action!
Windy Isle!
The
February winds were in full effect in all their glory. The air was brisk, clean and fresh. It was a nice respite from the humid heavy and hot air back home.
Fishing anyone? It was so windy, that this scene was taken inside of the harbour walls!
I'd like to find the pot of gold at the bottom of this amazing Irish Rainbow.
Family Time!
We got in a lovely amount of family time; and that is my favorite part about visiting Ireland. There is nothing like sharing a home-cooked meal, or a cup of coffee at a dining room table with family.
We were able to make it for Louise's birthday!! Yay!
We love this little man! Such a fun time, pizza and rugby! Can't wait to do it again!
MI beer with John...representing Grand Rapids!
Spending time with these girls is so much fun...I can't wait until next time!
I already miss the food and pints.
Coffee...shopping...makeup...girl stuff...Fint's favorite way to spend an afternoon!
The only way to cut your 16th BDay cake!
Lunch with John
Fint and his pops. Two handsome men!
He loves her a lot!! (And so do I!)
Yep. Forced.To.Work. Love this.
Family Dinners....the best.
Such fun times with the family...we are looking forward to our next visit!
Cavan Road Trip!
Fint, Eugene and I hopped in a car, on what turned out to be a freezing and wet day, for a trip down memory lane to Cavan. Cavan is where Anna May and Eugene grew up, it is also where they took Fint and his siblings (and many friends) to their lake house for some water sports. Fint has so many fond memories of the cabin and Lake Garadise. It was so fun hearing him and his dad reminisce about the area and their childhoods there.
Fint's Aunt Lizzy's house...now owned by a very nice Dutch couple, who invited us inside for a look around and so that Fint could show me where he spent some of his weekends as a child.
Friend Time
This trip we got to meet up with so many of Fint’s friends, which is always a fun time!
Eddie, Fint, George, and Sinéad.
Eddie, Fint and George...at the pub watching the rugby match.
Fint getting all the love in Finnstown
Mary, Fint and Sinéad.
The crew.
Dulta, Fint, Mary, Keith, Sinéad. and George
Many many pints of the dark stuff.
The lovely Elisabeth and Warren
Andrew
Elisabeth and me
Tea at George's
The boys!
King's Hospital buddies.
Warren, Allen, Fint and Andrew
Warren and Allen
Rugby!
John was super sweet and got Fint, me, him and Sean tickets to watch the Irish/Wales rugby match. It was such a fun night out.
Go Ireland!!!
PHOTOS EXTRAS
MI Beer in Dublin!
I think I'm turning Irish....
Yummy...Irish Porridge, perfect on a freezing morning.
(Arriving in Dublin...BURRRRR!)
Just a little hat shopping. ;)
Eugene...at about the same age Fint is now!
Malls...clothes...shopping...I'm beat! ;)
This little Irish Ginger guy never had a chance....
Happy Girl!
What happens after I catch an Irish rainbow!
Thanks everyone for making this yet another amazing trip. It was so nice to catch up with everyone and to fill our hearts with even more happy memories! We are already looking forward to seeing everyone again in Sept...so get your rest, we will be back home shortly! :)
BONUS
John in Sing!
We were lucky enough to have John come to visit us for the weekend, just a couple weeks after we left Ireland. We packed a lot into the weekend...bike rides, boaters bar, pizza on the deck, speed boating around the eastern part of the island, lunches and dinners at every marina possible, and even a bbq out at the island, with a bit of boat hopping.
Needless to say, we had a blast! Here are a few photos of the super weekend.
It all starts by picking out the right brew.
Break during our bike ride around the island.
A little boaters bar relaxing.
Kayo and I...TGIF! ;)
Motor boating on the Eastern side.
Capt. Fin
Relaxing on a beautiful Saturday afternoon.
Halfway refreshments at Changi
The boys taking photos of each other. ;)
Not a bad way to spend the afternoon here.
Sailing
Heading out
Capt. John
Best seat in the boat!
Sharing a Coke moment ;)
Beautiful Day!
BBQ with friends
SUP? ;)
I'm a flamingo ;)
Bella getting her life jacket on and doggy bag burger strapped on.
There was even an Ireland shaped cloud!
Come back soon!!! ;)
