An Eventful August!

                    

Good morning blog readers! 

    I am so sorry I have neglected you! I have been writing a blog for the Manor so my personal blog tends to fall by the wayside. Things have been very busy around here so we have lots to catch up on! 

   First off, three weeks ago, Eoin, Rob, and I traveled to Dublin for the big hurling semi-final in Croke Park. It was a great chance to show Rob (a first timer to Ireland) the city of Dublin and all it has to offer. We made sure to show him the main attractions such as Trinity College, St. Stephen's Green, the Guinness Storehouse, etc. 

  The match in Croke Park was a great experience for all of us. The buzz inside the stadium was electric and it was a great chance for Rob and I to witness Irish sport in full swing. Despite Limerick's devastating loss to Clare and, thus, Eoin's depression on the car ride home, it was a great day in Dublin! 

                       

                        

                                             Rob and I with the always lovely Molly Malone

                       

                                                      Eoin and Rob on Grafton Street, Dublin

                       

                                                                                Croke Park!

               

                      

                                                                Sorry, Rob, I had to...

   Second item on the list: Rob has, sadly, headed home to Canada. He will definitely be missed. I couldn't help but give him a little blog shout-out for being such a great roommate and wild source of entertainment for all of us these past few months. 

                 

                                          Rob and Cillian during his last night in Ireland

                 

    Next on the list: Brian's Debs!  Last week, Brian, Jen's brother, departed for his Debs, the Irish version of Prom. And, of course, we were all there to send him off properly, harass him with photos, adjust his bow tie, etc. After his departure, we managed to have a party of our own at the O'Riordan household despite the jealousy that our Prom and Debs days are long over.

                                                          Nicola, Brian, and Jen pre-Debs!

                   

                                     Dave and Eoin with some Debs words of wisdom for Brian

                    

                                                                 The gorgeous couple

    

                     

                       

                                                                        Jen and Ollie!

     Last, but certainly not least, the tornado of fun that is Sheila Connolly has landed in Galway. Marty and I collected her from Shannon airport last week and Galway hasn't been right since. This weekend is her highly anticipated birthday weekend in Galway and Westport so stay tuned! Hopefully the county is resting up!

                  

An Irish Beach Day & Other Manor Updates

 

                                               the lads at Leisure-Kesh beach in Clare

 

    Who would have thought the weather would be nice enough to have a blog title like that?

     Last week I travelled north to Galway to visit the Shaughnessy's. It was my first trip up to the farm since I landed in June and en route I realized how quickly time has been flying here. The weather over the weekend was gorgeous and the perfect opportunity to head to the beach. So we packed a few lunches, all of the beach gear, and headed off to Clare. The Shaughnessy's even managed to pack a hot thermos of tea for the beach and I am still laughing about it. Tea on the beach, only in  Ireland.

    The beaches in Clare, out past Kylemore Abbey, are stunning and it was such a great day trip. We even managed to grill a few sausages on a handy disposable grill. Again, only in Ireland. Below are a few pictures from our beach day.

Our lovely disposable grill

 

 

 

 

 

attempting to light the grill in the wind

 

 

 

 

I guess it's sort of like a hot dog...

 

 

 

 

 

   Work in Adare has been busy but fun with plenty of weddings, functions, afternoon teas, and tee times. However, I am beginning to fully adjust to the fast pace of the Manor. Yesterday evening the Heffernan's stopped by the Manor for dinner and a renowned Mary Kate tour (they're selling out rapidly). I hadn't seen them since our beach trip and it was great to show them a bit of the behind the scenes working of the Manor.

   Sorry if this blog post was painfully boring, but it has just been business as usual around here. Stay tuned for more updates! Below are some additional pictures from the last couple of weeks.

 

 

 

Eoin on the 9th fairway

 

 

 

15th tee box

 

 

 

 

 

the view of the driving range from our back balcony

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rob and I representing the other side of the Atlantic in our house and proud of it

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                             typical Saturday night nonsense

 

 

 

 

 

Fourth of July Festivities and More!

The Lads of Hermitage Green

                                        

Orla, Sarah, and the only Yank in town for the 4th

  Hello Blog Readers, I hope everyone had a lovely Fourth of July! Although it was quite the homesick-holiday, the Fourth of July Barbeque at the Manor was wonderful. Over four-hundred guests attended our outdoor celebration complete with bales of hay, hamburgers and hot dogs, and an ice cream van; all very American!
 
   I began planning for this Barbeque on my first day at the Manor so it has been a project near and dear to my heart since my arrival. Therefore, it was especially nice to see the hard work pay off. Hermitage Green, a local, Limerick band, whose popularity and fame has skyrocketed in the last year, played a wonderful show and created quite the outdoor dance floor. Both children and adults enjoyed our renound falconry displays and my lovely roomates conducted a putting competition for all who dared to take them on.

                                      

                         

  As the night progressed, the Barbeque morphed into a staff celebration that lasted quite late! However, it was a great chance to relax with everyone. We have all become so close these past couple months. I can't even begin to think about how hard it is going to be to say goodbye to everyone here. Ahhh! Moving on...

Dave, Gary, Mark, and a few of our international members at the Barbeque

Three lovely ladies from my office: Orla, Gillian, and Sarah

Mark and Gary, two of our Golf Pros, enjoying Hermitage Green

                           

 Alan, Orla, and Gilian 

Eoin, Rob, Mark and Cathy keeping the 4th of July party going strong late-night

Rob, Jen and Eoin 

Bryan and Rob at an outdoor beer garden in Limerick for my brithday

    The heat wave continues over here! I am not exaggerating when I say it has not rained in almost three weeks. The 80 degree temperatures are nearly melting the Irish and the tar on the roads is bubbling, but this American not complaining. I wouldn't have it any other way in July!

  This past Sunday, The Bentley Boys, a group of retired Bentley collecting gentleman, drove their prized cars from Liverpool to Adare Manor. The road trip was created to raise awareness for local charities. The Boys spent two nights in the Manor, during which their cars were on display for the public. It was a great publicity opportunity for the Manor and a really unique experience for staff and locals alike. The cars were amazing and it was a great way to spend a gorgeous Sunday.

                       

   Finally, just incase you were concerned, we are all still golfing more than ever. The lads are playing far better golf than I am but I guess I'll let them slide. Afterall, it is what they're studying.

                         

Rob pretending not to see me on the 15th tee box

 And again... Dave and Eoin hiding from my camera on the 18th green