Day 2 (May 18th)

NOTE to Kathy P & any others – Day 1 post has disappeared, ceased to exist, is no more. Like a cross between an elephant and a rhinoceros, it’s a hell-If-Iknow.

We’ll see about recreating it. And now, over to you Mary

Ireland day 2……still in Athlone, one of our favorite cities, it’s smack dab in the center of the island, so quick day trips are in order. After almost a 10 hour sleep, I am invigorated and ready to start the day. Oops, woke up with Brian on one of his early morning walks and as Ireland is in no hurry to wake I’m stuck at 8 AM to suffer with hotel room coffee. On the bright side, I enjoyed one of the few places in this country with decent water pressure, unlike with most B & B’s and hotels where taking a shower is like being spit on by a salivating frog. I took advantage of this and washed my hair…….

After  breakfast at the hotel, off to Loughrea to see St. Brendens Cathedral, as it is both legendary and St. Brenden is Brian’s confirmation saint.

No trip to the Emerald Isles would be complete without a few -tiny roads- to travel, and today was no exception. First there is this

Which instead of the usual changing into a DIRT road, ended like this…

Now, back to the St. Brendens Cathedral…

It’s an absolutely gorgeous church. We were there for the 11 O’clock mass along with some workers in safety garb and many older folks, BUT also several mothers with young kids in tow. That’s one of the interesting things about this land, mass many times during the day, and always young folk in the crowd. As expected, mass was great. There is simply something about mass in Ireland that is special. And, as usual the locals, one by one greeted us. Walked about the town, then back to Athlone for a lovely lunch, repeating a restaurant we hit last trip – good food, but bee-hive busy and very noisy. 

As someone is experiencing back pain, we headed back to hotel for a nap, yea, we are old and must pace ourselves. Then off to a shopping center in Athlone, a rarity, malls really don’t exist in most parts of Ireland. At one store, Brian left his credit card, the cashier thought someone used it, HUNTED us down at the mall to let us know to check our account, and IF some had used it,  they would refund the money. Don’t ya just love the Irish?

After that fun, headed to the pub/restaurant at the hotel  for a much needed pint,  got to chatting with a local, and of course he bought us a round of Guinness. 

We are here another night, and kind of excited, and I will tell you why. For our first visit to this Lodge in 2015, we chatted with the bartender, a nice gent. felt for him as he had to go back to work as his retirement had been wiped out by the 2007-2010 crash, so he had to re-enter the work force, fast forward to to 2108, we walk into the pub at the hotel, and he shouts, THE BRUSNAHAN’S FROM AMERICA, soooo, asked last nigh will Fintar will be here tomorrow, lets see if we get the same welcome I’m guessing we will, stay tuned…….. 

But then, in 2015 we stayed in a lovely B & B with a pub and lively bar in Kenmare,  a young gent waited on us, back to same place in 21018, and as God is my witness, he remembered us….guess we make an impression….I’ll leave you all to discuss [Yeah, I’ll ask y’all to think about WHICH one of us is making the lasting impression]

Time to sign off, at 10:00, the sky is still light, sundown much later than we are used to.

BUT WAIT THERE’S More – fun fact, we passed the river Suck on our journey today.  I shall endeavor to share some of these lovely facts about the emerald isle.

Another fun fact, all outdoor trashcans are labeled…….Bruscar, i kind of resent the fact part of my last name is associated with trash, refuse and rubbish…..

And lastly for sure (?)… the pub at the hotel has had a second wave of customers, mostly locals at 10….it’s busier now than at 7…