Home again....

Yesterday was travel day, a very long one for us all.  Friday evening we had a little reception to look at our art together and celebrate another wonderful painting adventure.  We thanked Chris O'Neill for planning our days for painting and experiencing Ireland.  She did a great job of getting bus transportation in the local school vans (seats were small though), picking beautiful places for us to paint and selecting restaurants for us to dine on local specialties.  The food we ate was really good, not like the guide books led us to expect at all.  Even the pubs had delicious vegetable soup, each a little different, which we enjoyed for a light meal many times.

Those of us who stayed at Carleigh House B & B enjoyed the hospitality of Dermott Dooly and his wonderful scones.  He let us host a happy hour in his parlor and treated us like special guests.

We had only one day of rain, at Bunratty Castle, and were thankful for that.  I can't imagine painting in that all day...or even photos, but we would have done it.

The group all got along very well and were astounded at Gretchen's ability to keep up with us all.  We celebrated her 88th birthday with a cake and a crown for her on Friday and raised a toast that we all may be traveling and painting at her age.  Toting our equipment and climbing rocks and hills isn't the easiest thing to do but well worth the effort.  Many beautiful paintings will be displayed in our show next fall.

Of course our conversation ran to the "next" painting adventure ...Sedonna next spring, Limoux in August and then what???.   Perhaps Nova Socia, perhaps Spain....who knows...whatever it is we are ready and willing!!!

And thank you again to our spouses and family members who made this trip possible with their support and tolerance of this adventurous artist.

Our friends....

Last days in Ireland

We journeyed to Bunratty Folk Park yesterday in the typical Irish weather....rain!!. This was the first day of actual precipitation. Ugh !! I thought the park was interesting in a Williamsburg sort of way. Reconstructed buildings and of course the castle. A few stayed back and a few did not paint while there as it had to be inside. We spent quite a lot of time in tea rooms and pubs to keep warm and dry.

Today we stayed in town to finish paintings and hang some for the reception tonight. Then we will go to a castle hotel for our last dinner together. Chris O'Neill planned a wonderful two weeks for us and we bring back many memories along with paintings and photos. How fortunate we all are to be able to travel like this with friends and fellow artists. The group has been wonderful together.

More photos

Cliffs and sand

some duplicates but oh well.....

Spell check at work!!  Cliffs of Moher not Mother!!

Cliffs of Moher

Cliffs and falls

We have lucked out on the weather again and it did not mist until the end of the day today. Some wonderful sites with paintworhy views and a few surprises.
Bunratty Village tomorrow then to finish up and our last dinner at a castle.

At the Rathbaun again....

Joan and I are sitting here again listening to another group playing Irish music here at the Rathbaun Hotel.  Dinner for us was at Wild Honey   a French based restaurant.  The food was very good but the service was the opposite of the friendly, hospitable kind we have experienced everywhere else.

 We are off to paint tomorrow again then a boat along the cliffs .  It should be sunny againstthe stoneand beautiful.

More.....

Irish travels

From the Rathbaun....

Most of us are sitting here enjoying a young group playing Irish music while we have a light supper.  Several attended mass here in Lisdoonvarna tonight.  Others stayed to finish up  or start a new painting.   It was a lovely day here with cloudy then blue skies as our luck with .the weather continues.

Tomorrow we are off to Liscannor and the harbour then a stop at the Clifffs of Moher viisitor center.. Opt

A few more too........

A few photos from the last two days.....

From Joan z

The itinerary is full and each day remains rain free. The sun is shy these last 2 days so the temps are cooler mid60's. Farmers Market then sketching or painting the few boats in the harbor and colorful (inside & out) shops and pubs surrounding.
The food is outstanding and all fresh ingredients. The area is known for smoked salmon, beef, pork. I've had green celery chick peas carrots potatoes and fresh lettuce served in many different and delicious ways. Guinness is nothing like the States and even more yum! I had an Irish coffee at lunch to warm the cockles as the breeze over the water was chilling. After a fresh up back at the room we drove to Doolin for another gourmet dinner - chicken spring roll, beef kabobs, tomatoes, couscous, w soy sauce, and homemade Irish ice cream. Enjoying a pint & Irish music & good strong internet. Wish you were here! ~ Joan z</font></tt></pre>
Sent from AOL Mobile Mail

a couple of artists

More photos