Europe Trip 2013 - Part 1 (Ireland)

We landed in Dublin airport without even knowing what buses we would be taking. One thing we learned very quickly, that we have had to do countless times since then, is to not rely on on our "smartphones" and ASK someone. It's a difficult gesture to do when better data is at your fingertips in the states. The girls and Steve took a bus to Galway, I went into downtown Dublin. From there I went to meet my good friend Corey and Ray. We walked around town and visited the Guinness Factory which was amazing and informative. I parted ways with them and went on to meet everyone else in Galway. The address I got for Kim's Aunt Tini went something like this - "Past the Briar School, Pink house on the right" This type of address is not uncommon because most of the houses do not have addresses since the neighborhoods are very small. A full normal address would read "Smiths, West Mifflin, Pittsburgh, Pennslyvania, USA . This would not work if you sent a piece of mail to "Deasy's, Greenfield... etc" Past Briar School, Pink house on the right didn't work out to well when I told my taxi cab driver. I got to the right area and had to knock on doors until I found the correct house. From there we went around the city and listened to traditional Irish bands and pop hits cover bands. It felt like as soon as I got there that we had to leave and the next day we were on a bus to Clonakilty.

For weeks before the trip I reached out to Deasy's in that region and contacted numbers, emails, and facebooks that were given to me and some I had looked up myself. With no response from any of them, we decided to just show up. On the bus ride into town on the main avenue I saw a "James Deasy and Co Accounting" sign on the front of a building, so we did what we did best. Walked right in the building while Jim(James) was in a meeting and said "Hey! We have the same last name!" First there was a bit of confusion then he smiled and told us he would be with us in a minute. Jim pointed us in the right direction, gave us some cell phone numbers and recommended the best bed and breakfast in Clonakilty - Bay View House Bed & Breakfast. There Miriam, Tony, & Maureen gave us the best service, food, and accommodations that we have had this trip! Liam(William) Deasy rang us at Bayview and we scheduled the next day to meet and take us around. For the remaining of the day we explored Clonakilty and saw the Deasy Brewery, Michael Collin's house & school, and the bay which was near our house. The next day Liam took us all around the outskirts of Clonakilty showing us the Timoleague Abbey with Deasy headstones dating back to 1800's, houses of other Deasy's in the area, our great-great Grandfathers burial site, and finally his farm and house. We ended the day with going to his son's Gaelic football game where they brought home the win and celebrated in a local pub. 

As soon as this leg of the trip began, it ended. We were off the next day on a ferry and train bound for London. We could have planned Ireland for 6 months and not have been able to accomplish some of the things we were able to experience. Someone was looking out for us and guided us in the right direction. It was difficult to start the trip with the best part being at the beginning but many more stories and memories are to be made. Stay Tuned.

Here are the Pictures from Part 1 - Ireland