Ireland Day 9

The weather today was exactly as we expected the whole trip to be-raining and cold. We got to sleep in today since several people flew out of Shannon instead of joining us for one more day back to Dublin. After a lazy morning, we boarded the bus and started our ride back to Dublin. Along the way, we stopped at Clonmacnoise, a monastic site founded on the banks of the River Shannon. It looked interesting, but my friend and I were so cold, we couldn't even think about touring the ruins of the settlement. Her husband took the trek and promised to share his pictures. My friend and I sat in the teeny tiny coffee shop, ate too much and had 2 hot chocolates each. The visitors' centre had a video about the founder and the early years of the site and we did watch that.

I slept on and off for the rest of the ride back to Dublin. Once we said goodbye to our tour guide and check into our hotel, my friends and I took a cab to The Brazen Head Pub for a pint. I think it's the oldest pub in Dublin.

After that, we walked to find a place to eat in the Temple Bar area. My friend (the husband) convinced us to walk back to our hotel. After all, we'd been told it was only a 20-25 minute walk. AN HOUR LATER we set foot back in the hotel lobby. I admit I was exhausted and I went to sleep fairly quickly.

Okay, so for the next week I'll be in Dallas for the RWA National Conference. This means the Ireland/Scotland journey will be temporarily interrupted. When I get back, I'll probably have stuff to report about my Dallas discoveries. Once I get through with those reports, I'll resume my travel journal with Day 10-the day I left Ireland and arrived in Scotland!

Those of you going to Dallas, have a safe trip and remember to look for me and my Ireland/ Scotland T-shirts in the bars! Those of you not going to Dallas, have a happy and productive week!