Category Archives: Travel

Rowing to Innisfallen

Posted on by
2
Innisfallen Abbey

Innisfallen Abbey

If you are touring in the Killarney area near Ross Castle, and have the time, I recommend rowing a boat over the lake to Innisfallen.  Innisfallen island is over the lake a bit from the castle, and my valiant husband braved the wind chopped lake waves and rowed us over.

Our little rowboat is on the left of the pier; Ross Castle can be seen in the distance across the lake.

Our little rowboat is on the left of the pier; Ross Castle can be seen in the distance across the lake.

Innisfallen was the site of a monastery established in the 7th Century; people say that King Brian Boru studied there.  If you go, you will see the remains of a 11th or 12th century priory and church.  But mostly, what you will feel and see is peace, quiet, history, and the remembrance of past saints’ prayers.  Slainte, Lisa

 

Staking Their Claim

Posted on by
Reply

The men in our family are so much fun to travel with.  I never know what they will be up to next, and it usually involves something that will make me laugh, smile, and say things like, “You guys are crazy!”  🙂  I will let the pictures do the talking…    (By the way, the women in the family have a lot of fun too, but that’s another post for another day!)

Ireland 2_0031

The Lyons men plus a few assorted stuffed dogs staking their claim to “Castlelyons”

Interesting lunch menu :)

Interesting lunch menu 🙂

Ireland 2_0019

The Lyons gang rounded up and “locked” away for another day. 😉

Photos are provided complements of the year 2001.  The little guy with the stuffed animals is much taller than me now.  How does this happen?  Have a grand day filled with adventures, laughter, and warm drinks.  Slainte, Lisa

A Day in the Life of a Town

Posted on by
1

Ireland 2_0030

This is Cahir, Ireland, as seen from a bridge by Cahir Castle.  (which just happens to be my very, very favorite castle in Ireland)  An ordinary day in the life of a town, except that it happened to be a day that we stumbled upon the bridge, gazed down and took a picture.  Given the advantage of height and distance, we could see most of the street, the small cars, the delivery truck, the pedestrians on the sidewalks, the contrasting colors of the shops.  (I’ll give you one guess as to which is the souvenir shop!)

Time, distance, perspective can make things seem charming that are sometimes irritating when you are right in the middle of it.  🙂  The challenge is trying to remember that when I’m in the midst of the irritation.  Eventually, with enough space and time, it might end up being a good story and I will appreciate it better.    Blessings on your day, Lisa

Stillness

Posted on by
5

Ireland 2_0029

It’s good to find quiet, to find a place where there is no noise.  When I discover those places, my soul sighs almost audibly.  “Aaahhh….”  As a musician and a mother of 3, there are sounds, notes, laughter, conversations, “discussions” between siblings (!), washing machines, phone calls, doors opening and closing.

But sometimes, it’s quiet.  And I treasure those moments.  As much as I love the noisy love and excitement and hubbub.  When we were in the Rock of Cashel here in this photo, we could feel the quiet and the stillness.  Talking seemed inappropriate.  “Be still, and know that I am God” rang through my mind.   Standing, breathing, knowing, sensing that Love that keeps extending itself through all our life.   On your busy Monday, I pray that you can find one little moment of your day like that.  🙂  Blessings, Lisa