First Day

We arrived at Shannon airport around 8:30am and once in our cars we headed to Ennis with the intention of configuring our phones for use in Ireland. Why we thought we should try to figure anything out is beyond me. After about an hour in Ennis we gave up on the phones and took our bleary-eyed, somewhat spacey selves to the Cliffs of Moher.

If you fly in to Shannon, the Cliffs of Moher are a natural stop on the first day. The air at the Cliffs feels fantastic on my face that has been made clammy and greasy from 8+ hours in nasty, bacteria-laden recycled plane air.

Fifteen minutes of standing on the edge of the country and I was ready for a nap. Off for the Hylands Central Hotel in Ballyvaughan, County Clare. I have always really liked Ballyvaughan and looked forward to dinner at Monk's after a little relaxation.



Monk's, located at the pier, was excellent. My food was overshadowed by my first pint. Back to the hotel and to sleep.

Apparently Dad couldn't sleep, so he went out into one of many sitting area scattered throughout the hotel to read. He then managed to fall asleep, only to be awoken by a frightened woman who passed by and thought he was dead. I think that is how it happened, anyway.