The land- and seascapes of Ireland are breathtaking, yet the people are ordinary. More friendly, more ready for a laugh, maybe more inclined to celebrate, they are nonetheless much like the rest of us.
We enjoyed meeting Ireland’s people: the O’Briens, O’Connors, O’Donahues, O’Hares, O’Learys, O’Dwyers, O’Sheas, and the O’Tooles. We should also mention the O’Connells, O’Malleys, O’Ryans, and the O’Keefes. All wonderful people, full of fun and good wishes to us visitors.
The gallery below shows natives and visitors engaged in some ordinary activities. The last four photos are extraordinary in that they show a master craftsman at work at Waterford along with two special crystal creations. Hope you enjoy meeting them.
To see the photos below, click on the first one. The blog will take you into a gallery where you can read the caption at the bottom of the photo and click near the right side to advance one photo at a time.
A young woman, member of The Mornington Singers, a choral group in Dublin, prepares for a performance at Discover Research Dublin 2014, a festival celebrating research done at the Universities in Dublin.
Two graduate students celebrate Discover Research Dublin 2014.
Newly married, with his best man, enjoy a cigar after the wedding. The groom is on the left, and he looks happy.
A man on break at work makes a call.
A Derry tour guide explains his city to visitors.
A visitor from Wales walks the Derry wall with an eye for whimsy. He said the bright reflective coat helps him stay safe against Irish drivers.
Boys in Derry.
The moods of late-life tourists in line for a bus.
Visitors getting just the right photo of themselves at Ashford Castle.
The future of Ireland.
A group of visitors in the shopping district of Galway.
Kathy (left) and Barbara (right) near the end of their shopping trip in Galway.
Accordion player on the streets of Galway.
Musicians in shopping district of Galway.
Flute player at The Cliffs of Moher.
Bill (left) and me (right) at The Cliffs of Moher.
Stress-free time at The Cliffs of Moher.
On break at a pub in Doolin, a legendary spot for Irish music.
A carriage driver at the Muckross House, a Victorian mansion in Killarney National Park. The driver offers tours of the grounds for visitors.
Northern Ireland natives cautioned us Americans to slow down a little, sit awhile on a bench, and enjoy the day. We shared many laughs in the half hour we spent together.
A young lady of color. Her father permitted the picture, though it isn’t clear that she would have agreed.
A red-hot vase formed with the help of a special cloth for shaping.
Vase is shaped with a piece of pear wood, known to resist heat.
A decanter for sale at the Waterford store.
Crystal version of Fr. Mychal Judge, O.F.M. who served as a chaplain to the NY fire department, being carried from the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.
