Cliffs of Moher to Killarney with Dave Hogan and Dovechauffeurdriven

 Happy birthday Lauren, from Mom and Dad, all the way from Ireland. Missing you today.
 This picture of Sheri and Mark was taken at Corcomroe Abbey, in the Burren of county Clare. This ancient abbey dates back to the twelve hundreds.

 Mark and Sheri pictured inside the Abbey. Note all the gravestones. After these abbeys were destroyed by the invaders, people began to bury their dead there as it was sacred ground.

 Our next stop, after Corcomroe, was the town of Lisdoonvarna, a town famous for its matchmakers. These were men whose job it was to help you to find the ideal partner. During the month of September, the farmers would come to Lisdoonvarna, when they had the crops saved, seeking help from the matchmakers to find a wife.The women looking for a husband, would also go there, and the matchmakers would do their best to match them up.Many men came from America to find a good Irish wife, and many did.

 This practice still exists today, and during the month of September the matchmaking festival is celebrated every year. The most famous of these matchmakers is Willie Daly, who can still be found in this bar in the center of Lisdoonvarna.

 What a lovely picture to send to Lauren, for her to see her happy parents smiling for her from beautiful Ireland. There is no doubt that they were well matched.

 Then it was on to the Cliffs of Moher.

 Here we have Sheri and Mark with the awesome Cliffs in the background.

 Here we have Sheri and Mark at St Bridget's holy well near the Cliffs of Moher. Bridget was our patroness, and this is a place where many people come to pray to her for help. The well is inside the little doorway in the background, and people leave small pieces of memorabilia inside there, reminders of their loved ones.

 Our destination today was Killarney. After leaving the Cliffs, we crossed the River Shannon on the ferry into county Limerick, and on then to Killarney.

 Our ferry was the Shannon Breeze, and quiet an appropriate name, as you can see from Sheri's hair.

Yes, we did finally get to Killarney, one of my favourite Irish towns, full of life, great food, the best of pubs, providing free entertainment in the true Irish spirit, full of warm and friendly people. Here we have Mark and Sheri in the main street, with banners and bunting being displayed to welcome one and all.
This Friday we will make sure to celebrate Lauren's birthday in true Irish fashion here in Killarney.
Happy Birthday Lauren.  All our love from Killarney.