Back to Dublin

John and Luke with John's cousin Brid Harris and her husband Tony.

On Tuesday we motored from Killarney in the southwest to Dublin in the northeast, about a four hour drive. Driving in Ireland is one of the biggest challenges for us. The driver sitting on the right side of the car combined with driving on the left side of what are often very narrow roads makes for an exciting experience. To keep yourself, your passengers, and other drivers on the road alive, you must violate your driving instincts. It takes a lot of concentration and I find myself saying "Left, left, left," frequently as a reminder. When we first started this driving adventure, both John and I tended to drive too far to the left to avoid the center line and the oncoming traffic. This caused whoever was in the passenger seat to cringe as the car seemed to be perilously close to the wall or curb on the left. I think we both have improved as the days have gone by. On the plus side, we like the roundabouts. They help with traffic flow and once you get onto them, they are kind of fun.

The drive to Dublin, mainly on N7, a spacious four lane highway, was the easiest yet. And well worth it as we are visiting some of John's Dunne relatives, who like us, are related to those in the New Ross-area cemeteries. They live in a Dublin suburb called Portmarnock. John's cousin Brid has done phenomenal genealogical work and spent time explaining the family history.

Our relative Nellie Dunne is on the left. We found her grave in the New Ross area. She died at age 21 of TB. On the right is Brid's mother.

We are the grateful recipients of her and her husband Tony's hospitality during our last two days in Ireland. 

View from Luke's room at Brid & Tony's.

They hosted a meal Tuesday evening. Their son Andrew and his wife Clare, Brid's sister Maureen and husband Michael and four of their children attended. We met Brid and Maureen a few years ago when they came to Peoria and we learned about the Ireland branch of the Dunne Family. It was all great fun!

John discusses family history with Brid and Maureen.

Maureen's husband Michael and John get it all figured out.

Luke throwing a rock into the Dublin Bay. The structure in the background is a Martello Tower, one of a series constructed in 1804.

The following photos are taken from a cliff walk in Howth.

Tony, John, and Luke with a lighthouse in the distance.

Good bye Ireland. We'll miss you!