Category: Ireland

Musings on Montenegro

Montenegro is an interesting little country, the size of Connecticut and with a population of about 650,000. While other countries of the former Yugoslavia were involved in bloody wars in the 1990s, Montenegro sat quietly by waiting for the dust to settle. In 1996, as the Yugoslavian Dinar declined, Montenegro adopted the Deutsch Mark, and … Continue reading Musings on Montenegro →

Lake Bled, Slovenia: More than just another pretty place

The beautiful Lake Bled was a late add to our travel itinerary and what a wonderful addition it was. Lots of people have seen the lovely pictures of the little church on the island in the middle of the blue waters of Lake Bled, with alps in the background. What else did the area have … Continue reading Lake Bled, Slovenia: More than just another pretty place →

Amazing things in Ireland: Giant’s Causeway, Newgrange, and Knowth

Travelling from Derry on our way out of Ireland, we stopped at Giant’s Causeway, an incredible landscape of interlocking stone columns, then stayed overnight in Trim to visit the 5,000-year-old passage tombs, Newgrange and Knowth. The Giant’s Causeway The rock formations in the Giant’s Causeway are so beautiful and unusual. They resemble organ pipes and … Continue reading Amazing things in Ireland: Giant’s Causeway, Newgrange, and Knowth →

Londonderry or Derry? Either Way, it’s Legend-Derry

If this sounds like it came from a Tourist Information PR department, that’s because it did! One of the first things that one learns in Derry, Ireland is that there is some sensitivity around its name. The city, whose history goes back to the 6th century, was initially named Derry, but was later changed to … Continue reading Londonderry or Derry? Either Way, it’s Legend-Derry →

Ireland part 2: Galway and Inishmore

Driving from Dingle up to Galway, we decided to make a stop at the Cliffs of Moher, Ireland’s most popular tourist destination. Of course, we knew that this would likely entail lots of people but, just the same, it wasn’t far out of the way and we didn’t want to miss it. We arrived at … Continue reading Ireland part 2: Galway and Inishmore →

Notes from the Emerald Isle: Dublin, Kenmare, and Dingle

John carries on group texting on a regular basis with his four brothers and has done so for years. The topic can be anything, and they are sure to have a steady backchannel going during LSU football games. Lately, John’s messages are, of course, related to our travels. Here is his summary of Dublin for … Continue reading Notes from the Emerald Isle: Dublin, Kenmare, and Dingle →

Starkville with medieval buildings

In a conversation with his brother Bill, I overheard John refer to Cambridge, England, where we now are, as “Starkville with medieval buildings.”  Starkville is, of course, Starkville, Mississippi, the home of Mississippi State University.  I knew what John meant, as both are college towns surrounded by green pasture lands.  But, Starkville with its religion … Continue reading Starkville with medieval buildings →