Good Morning Mr. Beefeater

T Margaret Reisinger passes a Beefeater on the grounds of the Tower of London. There are 12 such guards within the Tower. Historically, they looked after prisoners. The name “Beefeater” comes from the fact that up until about 100 years ago, they were paid part of their salary in beef. With the economy of the […]

London

We started our London visit with an open-top bus ride around the city on one of those red hop on, hop off tours. The tour is narrated in English and it’s actually a pretty neat way to see the bustling city, riding high up above the traffic. The weather cooperated and we had gorgeous conditions […]

Postcard from Adare

The clouds are a constant source of interest for someone who takes the time to gaze skyward. This scene was captured today just outside of the charming village of Adare, County Clare.

Dingle

The view from the Connor Pass on a morning full of sunlight and clouds on the Dingle side. The heavenly sight nearly takes ones breath away – literally – it’s freezing up there! Below, the view a few minutes earlier from our lodge, the classy “Greenmount House,” which is without a doubt the finest address […]

Bunratty Castle

A visit to Bunratty Castle is worth the hassle and the crowds of tourists. It is, after all, the best ancient castle in western Ireland. Built in about 1425 on the site of two previous strongholds, the castle was restored in the 1950s and 60s by Lord Gort and his family to appear much as […]

The Cliffs of Moher

When I first visited this amazing natural site more than a decade ago, it was free. You’d park in a dirt lot and walk about fifty yards and boom – there they were. The Cliffs of Moher would knock your socks off, even if you weren’t wearing any. And, they were free. Now the entire […]

The Beara Peninsula

We were on the Beara Peninsula, Counties Cork and Kerry a few days ago. The memories of this wild place are still fresh in our minds. One of the highlights of our day spent on the Beara was a visit to Molly Gallivan’s cabin. This old house, which has stood since before “The Great Hunger” […]