We have had the great good fortune of bringing our eldest grandchild - the redoubtable Lillian Grace Lowry - with us on this trip to Ireland. It is a long-promised trip, a combined present for her 16th birthday and for this past Christmas. Although we will have an extended stay, Lillie will be with us only for 11 days. A busy summer, with camp in the mountains and time with friends in Tampa, has limited the length of her stay. But we'll make the most of her time with us.
She received a proper welcome to Ireland and to Westport. We headed up to the Duffys' for dinner and enjoyed one of Padraic and Marion's exquisite dinners - a starter of smoked mackerel, smoked salmon, and prawns with a fresh green salad. For our main we had a beautiful poached fillet of Hake and bountiful helpings of a wonderful potatoes au gratin. Dessert started as a delicate soft lemon meringue topped with fresh berries and lemon sorbet, but quickly devolved as Marion lost the run of herself and raided the ample stores of chocolate cookies - Club and Snack. We enjoyed Padraic's new "bean to cup" coffeemaker, a recent acquisition funded by an astute bet on Sergio Garcia to win the Masters. A most typical lovely evening at their home. Lillie insisted on having her picture taken with them and has not stopped raving about the joy of their company and of their welcome.
Today we took her on one of our favorite drives, south out of Westport past Croagh Patrick, through the Doolough and Delphi Valleys, along Killary Harbor and to Kylemore Abbey. Back for dinner at The Tavern and dessert at Maddens.
Tomorrow, Lillie climbs the Reek - Croagh Patrick - with Niamh Madden and some of her friends. The excitement level is high. A challenging climb, but the views will make it all worthwhile. One more day in Westport after that and then off for Toad's Wild Ride around the southern and eastern tips of Ireland.
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| First sunset at the cottage |
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| Old Head beach with Croagh Patrick in the distance |
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| Doolough |
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| Delphi Lodge - great salmon fishing Uncle Steve |
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| Delphi Valley |
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| Aasleagh Falls |
