Executive chauffeurdriven vacations in Ireland with Dovechauffeurdrive and Dave Hogan

 Today we visited Knock, and the holy shrine there, where Our Lady appeared back in 1879. It is a renowned centre of healing, and was recognised as an official shrine by the Vatican after intensive research back in the early nineteen hundreds. Many miracles have been attributed to this place, and it is a very popular place of pilgrimage. 
The picture above shows, from the left, Tom, Maureen, Sheryl and Jack, standing, with the great Basilica in the background.

 In this picture, we have my friends, standing in front of the enclosed shrine area, with the replicas of the vision inside.

 This picture i took inside the Basilica, with the mosaic of the apparition, and the main altar in the background. We were fortunate to be able to attend the main mass there today.

 After leaving Knock we made our way to he famous Ashford castle, where we had a lovely lunch in Cullen's restored farmhouse on the grounds of the castle.Here we have the full party smiling and happy together. Note the empty plates. 
Dining here in Cullen's was important, as my friends are also Cullen's, and no doubt related to everybody by the name of Cullen in Ireland. Take it from me, there was only one Cullen when this family got under way many hundreds of years ago. They certainly have multiplied.

 There are times when i have to take charge, or my tours would never end. Here i am, issuing orders, as these Cullens were just begining to get a little too comfortable. Well they did feel at home.

 Here we have a lovely picture of Jack and Sheryl outside the restaurant.

 Another picture in the same place, with the golf course in the background.

 Ashford Castle is in Cong, a small town in county Mayo. Cong was the centre for the famous "Quiet Man" movie, which starred John Wayne and Maureen O' Hara. They have erected a statue of these two famous actors in the center of Cong, and here we have my party, posing with the famous couple. Jack, on the left, said that he would prefer to be at the end where Maureen O'Hara was at, and he left the feet to the others on the right. Good thinking Jack.

 This picture shows my group, standing in front of the old courthouse in the center of the town.

The house in the background in this picture features in the movie, and i think that it was the home of the Protestant minister. It is, of course, preserved as many of the places in this movie as they are almost sacred to its fans.
From the left, Tom, Maureen, Jack and Sheryl. 

Today we had a really nice day together in glorious sunshine. I am getting tired of telling people that .....NO....it does not always rain in Ireland. Just follow this tour and you will see for yourself.

More tomorrow.