My days of driving on the left side of the road are over, hallalujah.  Made it to Hertz on fumes - option to bring it back empty.  Took the Hertz shuttle to the airport and the hotel shuttle here.  Had checked in first.  Again saved by the gps data card for Ireland.  The roads around the airport are very confusing and loaded with roundabouts, especially since I didn't know where to go until I plugged in the names.  Bewley's Hotel is top shelf, including free wifi.  I have to commend myguideIreland for a great job.  The hotel in Dublin, rental car, b&b's and this hotel, plus my flights were all booked by them.  I used them based on Susan McDermott's recommendation and am glad I did. 

The ride from Arvagh was about two hours, which took me through the Boyne Valley again.  Scenery is spectacular as it has been for the entire trip.  I took a couple of photos, but don't have my camera right here so I can't upload them.  Monday and Tuesday were drizzly, rainy days with no sunshine.  Today was sunshine, sunshine, sunshine.  

By the way, if you're waiting for news of the Queen, you are out of luck.  Although I was at most of the places she is visiting, alas not while she is in Dublin.  The news is full of her visit - as well as Arnold Schwarzeneger's (sp?) split with Maria Schriver.  How stupid of him.

So, see ya when I see ya.  

Winding down

Went back to the County Cavan Museum at Ballyjamesduff.  Interesting exhibits about life in the county including the potato famine. Wanted to buy a couple of interesting books, but can't do another overweight suitcase. :=)

St. Mary's at Carrick, County Cavan

Stopped by the other St. Mary's (Carrick) again.   Back to Arvagh for dinner.  I leave here tomorrow heading to the airport with maybe a stop along the way.  Overnight at an airport hotel, on a plane Thursday a.m and arriving back in the USA Thursday afternoon.  So, if nothing interesting happens tomorrow, it will be adios to blogging.  It's been a fun experience, but an everyday blogger I'm not.  Thanx for all your comments and encouragement - sharing has been a great experience.  For you genies anxious for info, I hope to get it to you by the weekend.

What a Day This Has Been!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Was up early, as usual.  Showered and ready for breakfast waiting for 8am.  TV has a cctv feed from the barn.  Curious - two cows in pens, one seemed very restless. Could she be in labor?  At breakfast, asked my hostess Pearl - sure enough.  After breakfast, returned to my room and watched the birth of a baby bull, with a little assist by Pearl's husband, Wilson.  What nice people.  They invited me down to the barn to see the new arrival - he was about 15 minutes old.    Within a half hour he was standing and within the hour he was nursing.  Wilson even took photos for me. Awesome sight for a city (more accurately "suburb") girl. 

Then it was off to find the parish of Ballynarry, near Kilnaleck or Ballyheelan.  The genealogist at the National Archives had it narrowed down to the parish of Ballymachugh - I still don't understand.  Near Ballyheelan I saw a trailblazer for Ballymachugh - CHURCH OF IRELAND!!  uh oh.  Followed the signs which brought me to St. Paul's Church of Ireland. Now what?  I tried to find someone, without luck.  As I was about to leave two workmen went into the adjacent (what else!) graveyard.  I explained and they directed me to rhe Catholic church at Ballynarry.

About 10 minutes later I was at the church in which my great-grandparents were married in 1877.   

Catholic Church at Ballynarry  

What a pretty church - and adjacent graveyard.  Looked around inside and out - no one around, except two fellows working in the cemetery.  One suggested I ask about records at the little store nearby.  Walked around the cemetery looking for Plunketts and Morrows - found one barely readable Plunkett.  As I was walking back to the car, I walked off a curb without looking and fell. Fortunately, aside from a banged up pinkie finger, the only other thing hurt was my pride. 

At the little store, Jacqueline sold me bandages and first aid cream, brought me next door to wash my cuts and then called Fr. Gray about records.  Unfortunately, he was on his way to the hospital for a parishioner. 

To not waste the day, I drove to Ballyjamesduff, recommended by Pearl, to go to the Cavan County Museum - it was closed - will go back tomorrow.  Stopped at Gormley's Pharmacy looking for peroxide and got my cuts cleaned a little better.  Went to Coffee Cup Cafe for some lunch - and they kindly provided an ice pack.

After lunch, back to Ballyheelan - tried Fr. Gray again at 3:30 and was invited over to his home in Carrick near another St. Mary's of which he is also parish priest.  Jackpot - we looked at baptism and marriage records.  Found both for John Morrow and Bridget Plunkett.  Then we had some tea.  What a kindly man.  There is a very old looking tall structure near the church in Carrick; Fr. Gray explained it was a bell tower erected in 1832 to commemorate the 1829 repeal of a law prohibiting Catholic churches from having bells.   

Westward ho.... then back northeast

My journey west continues.  Arrived at Cashel and found a b&b.  Went downtown for a bite to eat and visited "the Rock" which will be visited by the Queen of England later this week.  An entire side of the structure is covered with scaffolding - kind of ugly.  Hope the media get photos without the scaffolds  Back to the b&b for a much needed nap.  Then got a good night's sleep and on the road by 8:30 after breakfast.  This b&b was not nearly as nice as some of the others - enough said.

Continued on to Tipperary then Limerick (actually bypassed it on the highway) headed toward Galway.  After Galway, I headed northeast and on to Cavan.  Passed through Roscommon, Longford, etc. B7B's are fewer and area in County Cavan much less populated.  Found The Arches b&b in Arva (or Arvagh).  I'm in heaven!    Beautiful working farm and farmhouse - spectacular view in every direction.   Many activities on the property - fishing, tennis, miniature golf, and others.  The nicest B&B of my trip.  I highly recommend The Arches.  www.archesfarmhouse.com/  In the a.m. will head to Kilnaleck in an attempt to find the actual parish of my maternal great-grandparents and maybe get lucky and look at the birth and marriage registers.   I overdid the driving today and will "plant" myself here for a couple of days. 

More later.......

the saga continues...

Thursday - left the Greenmount Lodge and headed back up to Gortin parish to meet Fr. Forbes and look at the Church registers.  It was certainly worth the trip.  Had a spot of tea with Fr. Forbes and housekeeper Kathleen.  Fr. Forbes gave me free rein to the registers for baptism 1865> and the marriage register.  I spent 4 1/2 hours copying information; in the beginning I also wrote down names familiar to me from other genies with mutual interests but after some time, I concentrated on the McDermotts/McKeowns.  I could have spent weeks there. Found the marriage record for James McDermott and Sarah McKeown, baptismal records for my grandfather and some of his siblings.  Will transcribe and share the info when I get home.  It was certainly a satisfying day.  The hospitality of Kathleen and Fr. Forbes was over the top - tea and wee sandwiches and sweets!

Then I drove down to Drogheda and spent the night at Orley House, a delightful b&b.  On Friday morning I headed out for Newgrange.  Newgrange and Knowth, located in the picturesque Boyne Valley are ancient burial sites, dating back to 3,000 BC.  Amazing to think of the engineering talents these people possessed. 

Left Newgrange, heading west.  Stopped in the town of Kells  and saw the round tower and tall

celtic crosses.     Continued west and stopped for the night in Athlone.  After getting a bit lost - "the b in the box" seems to be schizophrenic, and I kept missing turns, too.  Drove on the M6 for a time - in the rain.  The speed limit is 120km which I think converts to 74 mph - it is a dual lane, divided highway - like the GSP.  Not a fun drive in the rain, but I did find myself actually passing a truck or two - with my heart in my mouth!  The speed limits on a road like Colonial Drive or Mantoloking Road with no shoulders and more narrow lanes, is 100 km (60 mph).  There are signs "severe" bends, etc. but no speed limit reductions.  Sometimes I found myself behind some farm equipment which was fine with me, but the drivers behind me were not so patient.   Speaking of rain - I passed through a hail storm.  You can drive along in the sun and then through rain and back into the sunshine.  It also seems to be very windy most of the time. 

Just left the Burren Lodge b&b and am currently at a McDonald's.  Although the b&b advertised internet, wasn't able to connect.  Not sure where I'll wind up today, I'm heading west. Decided to head to Cashel.  On the way, stopped at Clonmacnoise - the remains of the ancient ecclesiastical site.  More ruins.  Photo of the Castle just prior to the entrance and then a photo at Clonmacnoise. 

Here is the famous River Shannon at Clonmacnoise

...to Cavan

Drove to Cavan today in search of Morrow/Plunkett records.  Went to Cavan Genealogy Society at the library in Cavan.  While they say they have all the church records for the county, none available to the public to view.  I paid 95 euro or $142 for them to search and send me what they find for my maternal great-grandparents.  I could have ordered these from home.  Very disappointing. The banner across the building advertises the fleadh this summer - a musical event - in which Barbara McDermott's grandson Finbar will perform as he did last year.  Maybe Barbara and Lou will attend too. 

The ride to Cavan was "interesting;" using my gps I somehow found myself passing a huge (more than 24 huge windmills) wind farm. The landscape was surreal - very barren, very high and very scary road.    Steep drop in sections on - of course - my side of the very narrow road.  The speed limit is 60 mph on these very narrow, winding roads and people do the speed limit; they pass me every chance they get or I pull off to let them pass.  I pulled off at one point and took some photos.  I snapped a photo of sheep in a field across the road and before I knew they were on the road with me.  

  

Then it was back to Gortin to meet with Fr. Forbes at the church  for some family records from their registers going back to 1865.  I got stood up!  Called Fr. Forbes and he had an emergency and I will head up there this morning for another try.  It rained on and off all day.  Check out this rainbow in Greencastle, County Tyrone!     

I will be leaving County Tyrone and heading south.  Hope to get to Newgrange this afternoon and find a b&b.

This may be my last post for a while unless I can find free wifi.  My stay here at Greenmount has been pleasant and I would recommend it to anyone; the Reids are very hospitable.  They aim to please.

More graveyard visits

Breakfast this morning with the other remaining guest at Greenmount.  Young fellow from Germany with a VERY large crane truck, on warranty work on a wind farm in the area.  Work is very slow because it's been extremely windy - especially at 60 meters in the air!  When I asked how he got the truck here, he replied that he drove it, which makes sense except for the bodies of water between Germany and here - there's a ferry.  Who would think such a huge truck could be carried by ferry.  Imagine driving that huge truck sharing the very narrow roads with the locals who drive VERY fast.  Worse yet, driver is on the left - edge of the road. 

Planned to visit Derry today, but was told lots of walking involved, so instead I drove to Cookstown.  More beautiful scenery.  Cookstown is known for a very wide, very long, very straight street down the center of town.  Wandered around and did some window shopping.  Then headed back to the various churches and graveyards in search of more headstones.  Unable to meet with the priest to look at church records yet.  Enroute saw a sign for stone circles and followed the signs only to find the area was closed.  Took a photo from a distance. 

 Weather today very chilly (40's), periodic showers/sun and very windy.  Some more scenery photos from the front of the church in Rousky. 

Crockanboy String Band

Seems the McDermott family of Crockanboy was a musical one; everyone played an instrument of one kind or another.  They entertained at home and elsewhere.  Here's a poem, recited by Aunt Alice

Round by Dr. Devlin's corner & up through Teebane
Here comes the little avenue that leads to Jimmy Ban's
Sally's in the corner with a program in her hand
Frankie plays the violin and George gives command
The girls are good dancers as you can understand 
And you would go a good piece to hear the Crockanboy String Band

 Here's Aunt Alice

Dr. Devlin - a local, Teebane is a nearby townland; Jimmy Ban's - I think a pub.  Sally - my great grandmother; Frank and George - great uncles.

Sunday

Started the day with "an Ulster breakfast" at Greenmount.  Called Seamus Conway to see if he would be available and he was.  Drove to Formil where he lives on Crockanboy Road, not far from Greencastle Church.  Using my gps, I plotted in Gortin which I knew was in the vicinity because I couldn't find any other location; have since discovered I can put in a post code which will then provide a route.  Drove through the forest, past Gortin, past Rousky and on to Greencastle and Formil.  After a couple of stops thinking I was at Seamus' I was told to continue along the same road, beyond an intersection and the first lane on the left.

Gortin RC Church


Seamus invited me in for tea and we then went to Greencastle cemetery.  Found some McKeown family plots and took some photos.  The stone on the McDermott plot is barely readable.  Seamus had contacted Sean Bradley, another McKeown family cousin and we stopped at Sean & Kathleen's for more tea and wee sandwich.  After a delightful visit, Seamus and I headed to Rousky Cemetery where I found a couple of graves unrelated to the McKeowns (perhaps related to some fellow genies) took a couple more photos and then on Seamus for even more tea.  His sister Nuala stopped by and a niece Annette and her family (husband and three beautiful little boys) popped in.

I left there a bit after 5pm for Omagh and to collect Marion for a short ride to Mountfield to visit Aunt Alice Bradley.  Arrived to find a very spry (90+ year old) who shared some family history.  Also there to participate was Rita's daughter.  We had a lovely visit, more tea and more wee sandwiches and sweets and Marion and I drove back to Omagh and I returned to Greenmount Lodge after 9pm - it was still light out!

The search begins....

After a delightful breakfast at my hotel, I went across the street and very near the statue of Oscar Wilde in St. Stephens Green, caught the Hop On Hop Off bus and disembarked at St. Patrick's Cathederal.  I walked to The National Archives.

Because only pencil and paper are permitted in the Reading Room, The National Archives provides lockers, free of charge.  Genealogists are available for consultation, which I did, but wasn't able to spend as much time as I would have liked.  There were at least six to eight people lined up behind me and two genealogists to assist.  I noted something curious in the reading room - large bedroom pillows!  I learned they are to cradle the very delicate record books.  Whodathunk!

Anyway, I made good use of the short time alloted.  I had brought information about the marriage of my maternal great-grandparents in County Cavan.  I had been searching for the specific parish location without success.  In just a few minutes, the genealogist was able to pinpoint the Church of St. Mary in the parish of Ballymachugh.  Because I had nothing else to research at the Archives - I had no clue where to begin, I left clutching that piece of information.

While I had planned to visit the GRO (Government Registry Office), I never got there.

On Friday, went to the National Library.  Spent HOURS looking at a roll of microfilm for the church parish where my maternal great-grandparents were married, looking for other possible relatives.  While the staff were very helpful and the equipment was adequate, I left bleary-eyed with little information.  There was, however, a very nice cafeteria so I didn't leave without having a nice lunch.

I hope to go to the church itself in County Cavan....

Saturday - I checked out of my hotel.  My original plan was to take a bus back to the airport because it was much less expensive than a taxi.  However, I would have had to walk much too far with luggage to get the bus.  So, I opted for the more expensive taxi ride.  The good thing was it would take me directly to the rental car facility so I guess in the long run, it was worth the extra Euros!

My first minutes behind the wheel were "interesting" to say the least.  Standard shift - but using the left hand; driving from the right side of the car and on the left side of the road.  Daunting.  My best investment for this trip was a data card for my gps including Ireland and Northern Ireland.  Priceless!  I did circle around a few times attempting to get on one highway - kept missing the turnoff.  It was good practice.  Finally wound up on the M1 - a major highway.  Hertz indicated they paid tolls on the highways; apparently only "some" as I encountered a toll booth, unprepared to pay, held up traffic a bit until I got out the money - a little more stress.....   Eventually, I got on the N2 which is mostly a two-lane (one in each direction) highway with a bazillion roundabouts.  Seems a roundabout appeared every 4 or 5 miles.  Good practice downshifting and remembering to drive left through the intersection while giving way to all traffic from the right.  I have to thank a bus driver I met at the hotel for this sound advice.

Arrived at the Greenmount Lodge, tucked away on a country road.  The view is spectacular; accommodations great; free wifi; was able to call Marion and Maura using their telephone for a small fee (much less than using my own cell phone).

Went to Marion's home where I was welcomed with open arms.  Both she and her husband Terry showed me truly Irish hospitality.  Maura and Gerry arrived from Derry (met them in NYC in 2009).  Gerry drove us  to Crockanboy - the McDermott/McKeown home via the Gortin Glen Forest, passed by Rousky and Gortin churches and I was treated to a tour of the lower Sperrin mountains - with some very narrow, winding roads sporting some roller-coaster like hills.  Absolutely breathtaking scenery, somewhat marred by the areas recently burned due to dry weather (believe it or not!) and maybe arson.

Gortin Glen Forest road; note burned area

Stopped at Greencastle, St. Patrick's RC Church and graveyard.  They have the (probably) only remaining Gaelic language stations of the cross.

Irish Language Station of Cross

Hope to go back today and spend more time.  We had some rain yesterday (what else...) and so far it's bright and sunny, and very breezy this morning.  

Later today, with Marion, hope to meet Aunt Alice Bradley (ggrandmother's side of the family).

Day One + One

Yesterday, I almost cried.  Then I slept.... 

Today is BETTER.  Driver for a tour group at the hotel gave me some very helpful tips - He said I could (cheaply) pick up a mini usb for my phone, but even better suggested I could use the USB connector I did bring (thinking the one end was a receptacle plug) to my laptop to charge my phone.  Worked like a charm - thank you Paul.  I was afraid if my phone "died" I would lose my Irish phone numbers and be unable to contact anyone here.  Whew!  But, I'm afraid to actually make calls with my phone - maybe that will change with a bit more experience here.  I've tried to get a sim card to use, but that looks like a dead end so far. 

Yesterday I did the city tour bus (hop on hop off) to keep me awake.  I was too tired to actually get off to see any sights - but I must have done the tour last time I was in Ireland in 1999 because things were very familiar.  Today that bus tour paid off because I was able to use that same bus (it was a two day ticket) to get close to the National Archives.  And again to get close to the GRO office location.  I found out McDonald's (my present location) has free wifi - YEA!!!!!  So, stopped for lunch and off I go to the GRO. 

BTW - great weather yesterday; today is cloudy and some showers - but I'm told "It's Irish rain...." 

I arrived. Technical problems

Well, I got to Dublin, but not without some difficulty.  First, my bag was overweight - WHY do I overpack?!?  Thought I had my phone charger - NOT!  Only the adapter, so now I have to wait until I get my rental car to charge it.  Can't seem to get internet (free wi fi) on my laptop, so I have paid for one hour's time - hope to get this resolved since my laptop is supposed to be my lifeline for this trip!!  I'll sign off before I lose connectivity.  Will work on this problem again tomorrow!  

Things MUST be better after a good night's sleep.  and have met lots of helpful people and did the on-off bus tour of the city today.