 |
| View from our living room |
Just a note about where we are staying. We found this place on VRBO. It's half of a duplex and is a 5-10 minute walk down to the village center (5 minutes down and 10 minutes up). Staying here costs less then a bed and breakfast and allows us to prepare and eat meals. The unit we chose is ideal. It has a nice size kitchen and a nice size living room.
Cathy and I bought two, little battery lit Christmas trees, Kathleen brought along some Christmas lights for the mantel and Erin brought along a scented candle and a Christmas CD, so our little home is truly charming.
 |
| Our fireplace |
On Wednesday we took a walking tour of Kinsale. We learned of the many Irish tragedies in which the city played a part, the sinking of the Lusitania, the failed battle of Kinsale (which defined a divided Ireland to this day), the jailing of American citizens for their support of General Washington and the defeat by Cromwell who rode his horses down the aisle of the nearby Abbey.
After lunch we drove to a 9-11 memorial that the guide had told us
about. A local woman had been a nurse in New York. She had worked closely with many of the fire fighters killed that day. The Irish woman was moved to plant a tree for each fallen fighter back in Ireland. Each tree holds a small plaque with a firefighter's name. Many of the trees had NYFD hats hung on them, some had NYFD shirts or memorial cards hung on them. We found the tree planted for Fr. Mychal Judge, the FD Chaplain. While it took some searching we also found the tree holding the name of the father of a friend of Kathleen's who had been killed by one of the collapsing towers. It will be nice for her to know that even in Ireland, people remember and pray for her father and for her family.
 |
| In memory of Fr. Judge |
The four of us stopped at a shop to look at Aran sweaters. The shopkeeper proved beyond a doubt the theory that there is not an Irishman alive who can tell a short story. He has 31 first cousins living in the U.S. and if another customer hadn't walked in, he would have told us each of their life stories.
After completing our grocery shopping in preparation of tomorrow's feast Kathleen and I payed a visit to Our Lady of Mount Carmel church, over looking the city. The sun was setting and the church was growing dark as the priest popped his head out to say "well, let me at least put on a few lights for you", which he did.
It was a good day.
It was a good day.
Well, it sounds delightful, every bit. Thanks for the update. We will raise our glasses and toast to the travelers tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely stories, photos and memories you are making. Happy Thanksgiving, or as they say in Ireland, Happy Thursday.
VRBO is a great way to go. Karen and I do it wherever possible. How nice that the girls are with you to share in the fun. Love Kathleen's hat. If I'm not mistaken we left a book of Kevin's poems Sunrise Engineering, at the library in Kinsale a number of years ago.
ReplyDeleteHave been reading all your posts and must say they are delightful. So happy for you that the girls could join you. My best to you all. You're right, there is much to be grateful for. Looking forward to seeing you when you get back.
ReplyDeleteI don't know why I am suddenly "Black Dog." But I like it!
ReplyDeleteJim Gauthier
Dear ”Black Dog”, thanks for reading the blog. I look forward to seeing you when we return home.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI was wondering...It suits you. ��
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely day you had. Again, the pictures are great. Happy Thanksgiving and noticing the decorations, Merry Christmas, too!
ReplyDeleteKen & Kathy: I’m touched by your efforts to find the name of Kathleen's friend’s father who was killed by one of the collapsing towers. Poignant and heartfelt and sweet and Irish.
ReplyDeleteI hope you are all having a nice Thanksgiving Day and I'm sure it will remain forever in your memories.
ReplyDelete