2025-May-02
I worked on the brick with Paul in the morning. The car when in ‘park’ is not in park. Hopefully if we fix the shifting the car will get out of limp mode. It will only rev to 2000 RPMs. Ho Hum. We give up at 11:30. Turns out the oil dip stick holder comes in two pieces! When I picked up the bolts I also got a dip stick, but it looked exactly like the one we removed. Oh well. Anywho I took a shower, had lunch, packed.
I wrote a script to put in a bunch of Etrade orders since I move over my IRA and 401k into Etrade since Arlo laid me off April 18th. It works pretty good, but I have to watch it. I buy 10 stocks a quarter at a time, across two accounts so that is 80 trades. They don’t have a bulk trade option. Lame. I only got thru 30 trades on one account as it took me an hour to get all the tabs and enters right. Maybe I should have done it manually? Anywho, it was time to go. My duber (daughter uber) was having an emotional meltdown cause her former boyfriend de jeur was a dick, but that is to be expected from a teenager. So have to get an actual uber. They picked us up and we got to SFO. No food? Ah, yes, the club. Apparently our premium tickets didn’t let us into the club unless we paid 100 a head to get in. Nope. We sauntered down to get Mexican food and a beer for 75 total for both of us.
The plane trip was ok. I sat in the wrong row, 23, instead of 22. We still got to Ireland. Since I only slept 5 hours I could not stay awake the entire time and 4.5 hours away I gave up and ‘slept’ until breakfast was served. We got in, got our bags, found the bus, and made it to the claymore. Not too shabby. Had some Guinness in Corey’s room and in bed by 12:30.
2025-May-03
Apparently the Warriors lost. They r going to game 7. Dum dumbs. Oh well. Up at 8. Farted around till 9. Bus back to airport to get the express into Dublin. We are at Heuston station waiting for train and I’m on my 2nd Guinness. We are at the Galway Hooker of all places. Tough life. Our train leaves at 1:30.
We sat with Americans from Atlanta/alabama who were retired flight people from Delta, Dave and Cindy. We chatted about everything for the train ride. We got in around 4, walked 400 meters to ‘The Dean’. Had a welcome shot of tequila, lime, and mint. Like mouthwash. Your welcome. Checked in to the funky hotel and up to the second floor. dropped our gear and up to the rooftop restaurant and bar. Only pizza was in service as kitchen didn’t open till 5:30. Had a margarita pizza and a new beer elevation pale ale, https://untp.beer/qgL5J . Pretty good.
Off to the kings head for another beer. Found a lucky charm at Pandora for the charming daughter, and a McDonald’s happy meal for the boy. We found the head on and it was delightful we proceeded to have a many a beer. We started with a pint of Guinness of course and then 3 half pints of local beer. Quite good. Corey got a kings head pub shirt since it was the best rated out in 1659. lol.
Then off to another pub. Blake’s Bar. For more half pints of goodness.
I messed up and had a cider. Oh hum. We ended with a Spanish beer. lol. It was passed 10 when we walked back and then we had a Murphy’s to end the night. In bed by 11.
2025-May-04
The gym doesn’t open till 8 on Sunday. Boo. Off to run my 5 miles out by the water. It was a good brisk run.
https://strava.app.link/7NIwot7G5Sb
Back to the hotel by 7:40 ish to take a shower and have a little breakfast at Sophie’s at 8. French toast, quite good after a 5 mile huff and puff. Walked down to the bus and now off to the ferry to go to Aran and the cliffs of Moher.
The bus driver is alan. He tells jokes. It is a bit of a drive to the ferry, but is good to learn more about the Irish. We boarded a boat. 20 minutes later we arrived to Inisheer https://maps.app.goo.gl/KqbwsKmksE9iLTFq8 and we were ‘last’ in line for a horse and carriage ride around the island. We were with Trevor and his horse Abigail. It was a 40 minute tour. At one point we had to get out as the little horse could only pull up 4 people, and the buggy was only supposed to take 6. All 8 Americans on our cart. Arizona, Virginia, South Carolina. We got out and walked for 300 meters to catch up with the horse who was waiting to get water in the horse water line. We had to pick between a castle walk and lunch, we picked lunch. It involved 2 pints of Guinness and an Irish coffee. Then back to the dock for a different boat to go to cliffs. We stood up on the right side for another 20 minutes and saw the cliffs. 700 feet high. Carved out by a river, and the ocean chewed through one side. It was neat. We got a Guinness on the boat just before we got back on the bus which drove us to the top (the highest point) where we took more pictures. Climbed a staircase in the castle to take more pics. Then back down to the gift shop and to purchase a non-beer item (I choose OJ). I found a Niamh sign. Then back on bus for the 1.5 hr drive back. We arrived back at 6:30 and scampered to Fitzgerald’s bar. I had a falafel and hummas salad, Guinness, dirty beuno waffle treat, and a Belfast Coffee made of coffee, cream, and poitín. I had two Belfast Coffees, and we left at 9 to get back at 9:30. It is 10. I set the alarm as I have to run tomorrow for 50 minutes. It will be outside again as gym will not open till 8 since it is a bank holiday. I booked a tour https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionProductReview-g186609-d11456694-Connemara_Day_Trip_Including_Leenane_Village_and_Kylemore_Abbey_from_Galway-Galway.html tomorrow and hopefully is as good as this one today.
2025-May-05
Woke up at 4am since my children decided to text 41 freggin times at 9:30 ish Pm which is around 4am GMT. Lame. Boo. I responded at 5am after the first 40 messages to say I’m cutting them off. I had my phone on silent, but it was still buzzing away since my wife and kids r my emergency contacts. Lame. I’m turned them off. If there is an emergency then I will not be able to respond until 8 to 10 hours later. Boo hoo. I woke up and ran 50 minutes . It was amazing.
https://strava.app.link/0KcXravf8Sb
All the way to a light house, but not all the way to salt hill. The light house turned out to be a water treatment plant but how is counting. Anywho, I ran back and took a shower. Then at 8am walked to another hotel and ate breakfast.
I had a vegan meal with eggs, a juice, and scrambled eggs dry. It was tasty. We then walked down Quay (key) street to find a hat for my dad. No hat. Then rushed to the bus to get on to take us 1.5 hours away to stop at the Kylemore Abby.
We first stopped at a little town called Leenaun where I picked up a hat for my dad. I’ll give it to him for Christmas or when I get back? He is always cold so might have to give it to him sooner rather then later. Lol.
Then we saw the spray painted sheep with numbers. No these are not racing sheep. They get colored to tell the farmer who they belong too and I think the number also means what farmer as a farmer could have the same color. We also stopped by the fairy tree and made a wish. It is a Hawthorne tree, and this one looked pretty ragged, but there are not many trees around since the soil is so rocky.
We finally made it to Kylemore Abby which is run by the nuns. It was built by a gentleman who was a surgeon who turned politician from England named Mitchell Henry. 12000 acres he bought. He employed the town so people loved him. Then his wife died so he built a church and buried he in it. Then he died and was buried next to her in his church. it was a pretty cool little church. Then we had some lunch where I had a garlic and cheese open faced sandwich. Then at 2 we talked our way back into the site to see the walled garden. Corey was concerned we would not be back in time for the bus at 2:35. I was not worried. Worse case we stay on the bus and look at the garden from afar. It got us up in 5 minutes so convinced Corey to get off and we could get the next one. We saw the ponies, and saw the garden and walked back. We just missed getting on the same bus that brought us. We got the bus at 2:30 and hoofed it back to the bus to board at 2:36. Not too shabby and we were not last. The 3 French fat men chatted it up in the parking lot for a good five minutes and Charles the driver kept edging the bus out to convince them to get on. The waddled over after finishing their cigarettes and heaved themselves into the back of the bus. I thought for sure Charles was going to make them sing. If ur late one time you sing, twice you sing and dance, a third time you sing and dance on the side of the road. lol.
On the way back we stopped to feed the sheep and then again to get a coffee or ice cream at the craft shops. I walked over to Centra and picked up an orange Fanta 😀. Then we were back in town at 5:30. I pinged Tom Lambert from Arlo who came out for a beer. I pinged Lello too but he was still out in Limerick an hour drive away. Tom was 40 minutes. I should have convinced Lello to join since Tom came out. lol.
While waiting for Tom, we made our way to the Skeff which is right off Eyre Park which Corey really wanted to visit. It was not on my list of top bars but we went and I got to try 2 new beers. They were both not awesome.
Next time will take a train from Galway to Limrick, to Cork, and then back to Dublin. Make a loop instead of back and forth. Anywho Tom bought us a couple beers at O’Connel’s which had a beer garden! Who knew! We chatted and drink till 9:45 ish. Tom had to get back and it was really nice to see him and give us more places to visit in Dublin that are craic. For those of us who don’t know Irish is it pronounced ‘crack’ and means ‘fun’! 🤣 We learned that from Alan on our tour to Inisheer..
All the kitchens closed at 10 so we lumbered down to dominoes pizza and I picked out a small veggie which I scarfed down. I think the pizza is better here than at home or I had a few too many and was too hungry that it was beyond delicious! Then I stumbled back to the hotel and fell into bed.
2025-May-06
Last day in Galway! I slept in and didn’t run. I discuss the gym either which is crazy since I booked the place to use the gym since it was the best in Galway. Ha. It was closed the days I wanted to use it. Sunday and the bank holiday it didn’t open till 8. Bah. Anywho I showered, packed and was ready to adventure by 8. I gave Corey 15 minutes to sort out his things and we popped down for breakfast at a place next to the park and train station, Esquires Coffee. It was very good, but only ate half, but the mocha coffee was super good. I got an iced mocha to go! Then we walked to the weavers shop looked at more hats, stopped by Pandora and picked up a lucky charm. They are magically delicious. Stopped by the post office where the line was too long and it was 10:30 and needed to get back to get our bags for the train. I picked up some postcards and there was a post office right next to the dean with no line so picked up some stamps. Then back up to the room to write the post cards and wait for the train. Knock, knock. The train leaves at 11:05 not 11:30 Tim. Doh! We have 20 minutes. So I polish off only two cards, stamp them, and off we go. I mail them as we walk to the station. We make the train with 10 minutes to spare. No problem. Thanks Corey!
It is now 15 till noon and we should be arriving in Athlone shortly. The train tomorrow leaves at 11:30. Really. I think we can throw our bags in at the Radisson and then pop down to Sean’s Bar for lunch and a pint. We might stay till 10.
So we got in around 12. Walked 10 minutes from the train station to the Radisson Blu and Corey’s room, 111, and upgrade was ready. My room not ready, so I threw my bags in Corey’s room and off for a tour. Corey’s room overlooks the river and onto the church and medieval Athlone castle. We pay the 12 Euros each to get in and look around. It was great craic. Then we mosey around the town to look at the various churches and walked down by the water making a nice loop. Then it was around 1:30 and we were both peckish so picked a place called the Left Bank, which is right next to Sean’s Bar! Hey!! Ho!! What good luck! Anywho I had a focaccia bread, rocket lettuce, and cheese sandwich with a beer called ‘Sheep Stealer’ and even got the label off the bottle in one go. It is a pretty good story the name of the beer not how I got the label off. Geez.
Then it was 3:30 so walked back to the Radisson I got my room, the junior suite across from Corey at 113, and I have two windows. One at the water and church, and the other over the courtyard. Fancy. then spent a good amount of time 2ish hours at Sean’s Bar. I picked up a hat, shirt, tried some whiskey, and had a Guinness or two in the beer garden at the oldest pub in the world. Mind blown! We got a local recommendation to go to Gertie Brownes Bar and Bistro, and sat in the cheap seats at the back. I had a yummy lentil rice dish that was very good sobered up with 3 cokes. Cheapest dinner yet with drinking only cokes! Lol. Then we toddled back to Sean’s Bar to have some Irish Coffee and listen to some music. Two guitar players on a Tuesday with random American songs with a mix of country, blues, and modern. Around 10 we called it quits and came back to the Radisson Blu where i promptly fell asleep.
2025-May-07
Fiona and Niamh made it to the Valkeries Game which I hope was fun. I got up and ran 4 miles in the country seeing farm animals. I’m now waiting for Corey to be ready at 8:30 and have a fan on my moist clothes to dry them off before shoving them in my bag. Will probably have a little breaky, finish packing, and make our way back to the train station. Corey wants to leave at 10:45 cause it is all uphill to get back. Lol.
We left at 10 and got to the train in 10 minutes. The train station man said we have an hour and he could lock up our bags so we could putz around some more. So we wandered over to the Franciscan Abby & Grabeyard . https://maps.app.goo.gl/JAg3f18CVQGtkTVj9 and then walked back up to the train station at 11:10. There was another train we could have been on as it was here, but would not of had our seats. Who knows if we have our seats as the system was broken yesterday? Anywho, when we get to Dublin will take the tram into temple bar as it leaves every 3 minutes and has 3 stops. No idea how to pay for it but imagine it is not too much to go 3 stops.
We arrived into Heuston station and got on the 4 bus. They do not accept biils only coins so the driver let us on anyway. We rode 4 stops and then walked 15 minutes to the Marlin. Screens to check in? Lame. Oh wait it is 1pm ish and we get charged an automatic early checkin. Lame. Oh, you can hold our bags. Ok. Off to landmark pub to have some lunch. I had another double cheese sandwich, but this was actually grilled cheese! lol! Then we walked over to the Guinness storehouse and was 30 minutes early but they let us in. We had a choice to go up to top and then pop back down to the 5th floor for the connoisseur experience which started at 4. We decided to wait. Then were let in and proceeded to have 5 beers over 1.5 hours and then buy a bunch of stuff. Not sure it will all make it back. We left at 7ish when a a private event started with drummers and fire girls. The bald head security guard didn’t let us go up to the party. Boo.
On the way out Corey wanted a horse carriage ride. 70€ really? Lame, but ok. We got back in 10 minutes to the clip clock of hooves. Then we found a place near the hotel called the Harry Lemon which we visited and managed to get in at 8:30 for dinner service which stopped at 9. I had a Thai curry and a very lame English beer. Then we walked around and saw stupid teenagers sitting on the ground smoking and drinking. Then we circled around and made it back to the fish hotel by 10pm. I went to sleep since I was super tired.
2025-May-08
Went for a 6 mile run, not bad if you get out of the city and over by the zoo. I ran back by Heuston station and picked up a traveler card for 18€ for each card for 3 days. Will use it to make it back to the airport!
https://strava.app.link/iQs2JSClcTb
We ate a Sophie’s which, you guessed it, is part of ‘The Dean’ . I ate pancakes, oj, and had a mocha. Two mochas! Then we took the green line up to the wax museum where we saw many a wax figures of England and Ireland with a few Americans thown in. I was suprised to see Trump not smashed in but think he should have been fatter and more orange.
After the wax we popped over to Trinity College and got in on the 11 am tour! An hour early! Nice. It was pretty amazing the long hall, and now the experience they they are doing to preserve the 700,000 volumes of books.
Then we popped over to uno mas a Michelin star place and had the best gnocchi ever. Truly incredible. Might have to go to French Laundry when we get home if they are all this good. lol. I had coke, 3 of them, while the Corey had some white wine. Then we walked over the the Whiskey Museum and had to wait for a tour at 4:30, we had two Irish coffees while we waited. The history and tasting were quite good. The whiskey unfortunately was much nicer than Sean’s Bar. Oh well. We did the basic tasting which is 3 whiskeys. My favorite was Powers 15 gold.
After whiskey to the bars to have a bit to eat, baked nachos, no really not the ballpark kind! Wow. At a pub! We went to three pubs, Bruxelles, Mcdaids, and Peter’s Pub. I had a proper pint of Guinness at each with some new beer too.
2025-May-09
Last full day here!!! Ran my 4 miles on a treadmill. Lame but was not going that far and didn’t want to smell the diesel fuel smells from the cars and buses. Then off to breakfast at Keoghs Cafe. A veggie with scrambled eggs. The over to the Dublin castle at 9:45 for a self guided tour. Then a bus ride out to he gravediggers to see the largest cemetery in Dublin, Glasnevin with 1.5 million names are located. There are 58 Niamh’s buried, and I met a living Niamh who helped find the 5 Corey’s . The Corey’s are more in the country with the potatoes apparently. Before we looked in the cemetery we had a pint and the bartender looked at me funny when I asked if I could drink and walk around the cemetery with it. Oh well. The living Niamh was at the visitors center after we visited the botanical gardens. We saw the grave of Michael Collins in the Glasnevin Cemetery. Then back to the gravediggers pub for lunch and a pint. I has the baked Mac and cheese with Jalepenos!!! It was tasty with a Guinness or two and an Irish Coffee to top it off. Back on the bus to see Nidhi at the long hall pub. Also known as a good pub to visit from Tom too! The visitor cards are coming in handy!
We made it to the long hall and had a Guinness and a few new beers too. Then Noghi came with a gift. Super nice. We then ignored Corey for an hour as we talked shop. Apparently she needed 3 more months of working at Arlo to them be considered as a local looking for work. Now she needs a sponsor from a business to keep working. At 5:30 her boyfriend in a BMW showed up. Aakash and I was supposed to grill him to get to his intentions with Nidhi. Ahhh like my own kid. lol. Apparently they have only been out like 6 times in 2 months. So they too me to the cliffs and we walked around . Actually hiked around. Corey went back to the hotel. He had a bad burger at the hotel and didn’t venture out which was too bad.
Around 7 we came back to the car and back in town and ate at an Indian place which was very good. Hyderabadi kitchen dublin and ordered too much food. I of course had a kingfisher. Then around 10 we left. Corey thought I fell off the cliff. I got back and have Corey one bottle of whiskey and proceeded to try and figure out how I could pack my own bag.
2025-May-10
I got it to all fit. Up at 6:05 took a shower. Waited for Corey and now we are on the 16 bus for 33 stops lumbering to the airport. Hopefully my bag will not break open like a piñata. We should be at the airport in 8 minutes by 8am for our 11am flight. Corey can get his coffee at airport!
