Day 22

Day 22 and Claire have us packed and organized for our trip to Ennis.

Our trip over was filled with the usual wrong turns mixed with plenty of silliness and laughter provided by Liam and Owen.  I think we have managed pretty well for a family stuck in a car for over twenty days.

Barry met us on the outskirts of town and led us to his beautiful home.  Barry showed us the bill from the contractor that his father paid back in 1927 when he had the house built for approximately 600 pounds.  Barry’s daughters came by for a visit Trina and Tracy and made up a wonderful lunch with pizza for the boys.  After filling up, Owen played with Trina’s boys Jack and Brian while Annie played shy behind her mother.  Liam preferred to stay and talk to the adults revelling us with all the knowledge a 15 year old has about the world.  It was a wonderful afternoon of laughing and comparisons of life on either side of the pond.  With a fond farewell we left for our hotel with promises to try and get Trina’s and Tracy’s kids to the pool later.

After checking in, Claire made plans with Trevor and Barbara to meet up at a pub in Ennis.  We were in search of some traditional Irish music and a few pints.  Trevor took us to a couple of local bars known for music and settled on Paddy Quinn’s where a five piece was tucked in to a corner playing reels and old Irish ballads.  I was almost tempted to get a cab to bring Own in to play his Bodhran for them.

A short walk home and Claire and I are tucked in to bed safe and sound.  Cheers till tomorrow.

      

Brian and Annie practicing Owens Bodhran.

Tracy, Barry and Trina.

The cousins, Owen, Jack, Brian and Liam.

Trina and her husband Peter. 

A farewell picture.

The house that's still owned by the family. 

Meeting family at the pub! Marie Conellan.

Trevor and Barb at the pub.

Performers at the pub!