May 30, 2012 I have now been in Ireland for 12 days! I have 3 more days left and I am definitely not looking forward to leaving, anyway, my last blog that I posted was 5 days ago in Donegal and I have done a ton of stuff since then, so I thought that you might want a "quick" summary of those past days. Late afternoon on the 25th, I left Donegal and drove to my grandfathers side of the family, who live in county Mayo. I spent two nights with them and helped th...

May 24, 2012 Today we arrived in Donegal, Ireland where we are staying at the McErlain family vacation houses...yes this family shares a lot! They all live within walkin distance of each other, they share a bakery, and they share 3 vacation homes in Donegal. Donegal is on the western coast of Ireland, so we crossed a border on our long drive here. The houses sit in the middle of a golf course and have an amazing view of the golf course and the beach! After d...

May 22, 2012 I went window shopping through the streets of Magherafelt today! Along with some clothes from the boutiques down in town, I purchased a St.Brigid's Cross, for my Ireland souvenir. The cross has a woven design and is based on the one of the patron saints of Ireland, St.Brigid. St.Brigid was a nun who devoted her life to caring for the poor and the sick. It is an Irish tradition that that this cross is hung over a doorway, blessing anyone within t...

May 21, 2012 Today, Monday, May 21st, I toured the McErlain family bakery, Genesis Crafty. The family bakery used to only be a small shop in the middle of Magherafelt. The McErlain family lived on the second floor over the bakery. Today the bakery has grown in to a large bakery, which ships to grocery stores all over the United Kingdom.The seven children of Great Aunt Bertie and Great Uncle Joe, six sons and one daughter, have worked in the bakery since they wer...

May 19, 2012 This morning I arrived at Belfast International Airport after an overnight flight from Denver International Airport! After driving around Lough Neagh (the big lake in Northern Ireland), I arrived in Magherafelt, where my relatives from my mom's side live, my 2nd and 3rd cousins. I am staying at my Great Aunt Bertie and Great Uncle Joe's house. Within five minutes of stepping in the door, Aunt Bertie had made some tea and warmed up some scones fro...