May 26th, Ennis

So we are off the plane and on our adventure at 6 in the morning without even a cup of coffee. We had now issues with going through passport control. Even Scott with his US passport did not take long. Luggage was fast even if ours were at the end. Then came the fun part...the car.  

Mike had ordered a small car without realizing that what the Europeans call small, is quite a bit smaller than what we do. It is very fortunate that none of us over pack. We each had 1 medium bag, the guys each had a backpack although Mike's out weighted his suitcase and I had my red bag. Getting everything and everyone in the car was our first adventure. 

 

And we are putting 3 people WHERE?

We arrived in Ennis tired but psyched. We headed for the dining room of our hotel for COFFEE and breakfast. The guys got their first taste of an Irish breakfast. Scott has fallen in love with Irish Soda Bread, the real thing. We walked around a bit and then back to the hotel. They were wonderful about getting us into our rooms as quickly as possible.

 

 

We are lucky enough to be in Ennis during the last day of Fleadh Nua Festival, an annual music festival. There are special music sessions in pubs, cd release sessions and music in the street. We went to the first part of the Sunday Mass at the Cathedral where the service would have been totally in Irish except that the priest that was supposed to say it was called away, so it was partially in Irish. The music however, which is what we had set out to hear, was incredible. It seems like the Irish language is made for this kind of music.

 

While Mike took a long nap and I took a short one, Scott did the walking tour which he said was great. When I caught up with him at the parade, he sent me off to see Ennis Friary. It was built in the 13th century but the O'Brien's who seem to be responsible for a lot of the history in this area. At that time, it was a center of learning. Now, it is a beautiful ruin in the center of the city with preserves sculptures and what must have been fabulous windows.

 

 

 



So after my side trip to the Friary, I joined Scott for the parade. Not what we are used to in the States with lots of floats and commercialism, but a really home town affair. I didn't manage to get pictures of the cast of characters from a local play or those that seemed to be celebrating the past but I did get 2 of the bands, one seeming much more professional but the younger group seemed to be putting more heart into it and having fun. They did a bit of a show in front of the review stand of local officials.

 

 



We collected Mike and all the information we would need for the next 10 days of cycling. We then headed out for dinner at a local pub, Brogan's for good food and live music. It was early for the nights festivities but there were 3 young guys with their harp and violins playing. We followed this up at the hotel with several live performances with CD releases.

So I will sign off for our first day with a picture of Mike and Scott with a sculpture in the plaza in front of our hotel. Hopefully I will get things caught up so I post on the day in question. I am learning as I do this.