The road path that leads to their home...
We arrived on a Saturday around 3 pm, tired and famished. We took the bus to their town, which ended up being a 4+ hour bus ride. I slept most of the ride, until a haggardly old man tapped me on the shoulder to wake me up so that he could sit in the seat that my bags were on. The funny thing is that the bus had loads of empty seats available, double seats included...but he chose to wake me up and sit by me. I fear there was something wrong with him as he whispered profanities under his breath for the duration of his 25 minute ride. I thanked my lucky stars that he did not smell of stale alcohol or 'dirty man'.
Some of Michal's (Mee-hall). He and his wife Maureen were one of the nicest older couple we have met. They live on a farm with sheep and cows. They also have lots of freshly grown vegetables and some apple trees. Michal showed us his lovely farm (it gave me the same good feeling I get when I go to my grandpa's farm in Wheatfield) after a wonderful dinner prepared by Maureen. After kindly asking us if we had any dietary restrictions or complaints (we have none), she made us a traditional meal of cooked lamb, mashed potatoes, gravy, broccoli and carrots, and stewed apples and custard for dessert. Each meal was followed by tea or coffee and a biscuit (or cookie). The meal had so much flavor...the best Irish meal I've had since I've been here...and all the girls agreed.Michal later said after the meal, "Now girls, I'm not all into that organic stuff, but I know you are all studying nutrition, and this meal is 100% organic. Everything from the lamb to the broccoli and apples was produced on this farm." And, after we got a tour of his farm, he pointed to one of his lambs and said, "That was your dinner's friend." Yes, pretty graphic, I know...but we all found it pretty funny. He just chuckled.
After the farm tour, Maureen brought us to an Irish Heritage run by her friend Tom, who Elizabeth and I found to be a very attractive older Irishman. Here are some photos from his heritage...very beautiful.
This is the heritage itself. Maureen was telling us that Ireland was very different even 50 years ago. During that time, the country folk still lived in old homes, no television, churned butter, lived off of their farm, etc. It was so interesting...Mom, you would have been in heaven. 
The beautiful lake reflecting from the setting sun. 
The road path that lead to the main road from Tom's heritage. 
Maureen drove us to 'the cottage' where we stayed the night. She could not understand why we would want to come to the country. I can't understand why we wouldn't. By the end of the trip, none of us were ready to go home...Anyway, this is the cottage. Yea, doesn't look like a cottage to me....it was more of a glorified home...so much better than where we are staying in Dublin.
For example, this is the kitchen. It's beautiful, isn't it? All we could think was, "I want to cook!" There was so much space, and it was CLEAN!
This is the family room. The cottage was warmed primarily by the fireplace which was fueled by home cut coal. I guess they harvest their own coal here. We were so nice and toasty.
Maureen told me to go out to the shed to get more coal when we needed it...so I grabbed the bucket and loaded it up. Elizabeth took a picture for me. We felt so at peace.
That evening Maureen's niece picked us up after work to take us down to the pubs of the little town. Her name was Claire Ann....one of the nicest girls we have met. She had so much energy...so funny. We hope that she comes to Dublin to come visit us soon...On Sunday morning, we all went to Catholic mass with Maureen and Michal. I quite enjoyed it, and it was interesting because they had a visitor priest for that mass from Atlanta, Georgia. What are the odds? Here is a view from the church. 
Michal then took us on a car tour of the mountains in Co. Mayo. It was lovely.
And then to 'All Saint's Day' rosary in the cemetery. We all said the rosary, then headed back to the farm where Maureen had yet another meal waiting for us. This time it was bacon and cabbage...again so flavorful. I think I am now addicted to cabbage. She just cooked everything amazingly. I wonder if it is because they keep the added fat in all of their recipes. It is a good thing that I did not cook the meal. So goood...
The trip ended as soon as it began. We were all sad to say goodbye, but it was an amazing experience to see first-hand the life of an Irish farmer.
Michal then took us on a car tour of the mountains in Co. Mayo. It was lovely.And then to 'All Saint's Day' rosary in the cemetery. We all said the rosary, then headed back to the farm where Maureen had yet another meal waiting for us. This time it was bacon and cabbage...again so flavorful. I think I am now addicted to cabbage. She just cooked everything amazingly. I wonder if it is because they keep the added fat in all of their recipes. It is a good thing that I did not cook the meal. So goood...
The trip ended as soon as it began. We were all sad to say goodbye, but it was an amazing experience to see first-hand the life of an Irish farmer.
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