Three Times Good, Ireland Remembered

We were sitting in the Lemon Leaf Cafe in Kinsale, Ireland when my husband told my daughter this little bit of wisdom.

{paraphrasing…}

“They say you get enjoyment from a trip three times. First the anticipation of the journey while you plan. Then the enjoyment of the trip while you are traveling. And last, when you are home and remember it.”

And so, we are home from Ireland and are inhabiting phase three: remembering.

The sun shone on us, despite forecasts that daily suggested otherwise.

The ocean sparkled. The hills spread out in folds of velvety green.

The tea was plentiful. The seafood straight off the boat. The pint glasses frothed with Guinness, Smithwicks or Murphy’s.

We took to the narrow paths and roads to walk beaches with hurley players and horse riders. Or all to ourselves.

We picked up seaglass among round ocean-washed pebbles and chatted with women walking their dogs on a headland overlooking Kinsale Harbor. We petted cats on steps in Cobh and wandered the graves and high crosses in Timoleague. At Mallow we watched steeplechase horse races to our daughter’s delight. (And ours.)

County Cork was our home and major exploring ground this time, and we rented a cozy apartment on a hillside outside of town.

I hope to find myself in Cork again.