Hey Everyone,

Well we just got back from 9 days in Ireland, was a really good trip, are tired now though, and are guinessed out!! We arrived there last Saturday, the 5th, and we went to Max and Sharon's (my uncle and aunty) who live in Celbridge - just on the outside of Dublin. We ended up going to some local pubs and it ended up being a rather big night - Paul not even being able to remeber drinking whiskey until I reminded him the next day. The Irish bands were really good. The next day was our first really really wet day, and Max took us on a tour around the sights of Dublin then we went out to Glendalough which was about an hours drive from Dublin. There, we had a look around we looked around an Early Medieval Monastic settlement, before walking around the lakes where we seen wild deer.

The next morning we were up bright and early for our Paddy Wagon tour!! There was about 50 people on the tour, the majority being made up of aussies and kiwis which meant there were to be a few late nights ahead of us!! The first leg of the trip was to Derry, in Northern Ireland. On the way we stopped in at Drogheda - where we seen Oliver Plunketts actual preserved head, before heading towards the Monasterboice - high crosses. We went up through Omagh and arrived in Derry at about 4pm, when we did a walking tour of the city walls. They explained to us the bloody Sunday murals, and gave us background information into all the fighting that has gone on up there! This night our tour leader took us to a traditional Irish pub - although was not as good as the first nights band!!

Day 2 on tour we were heading for Belfast!! We stopped off at Dunluce Castle on the way to the Giants Causeway. This was made up off really awesome rocks - althought the gailforce winds made it feel like we were in wind tunnels - and some of the older people that were on the rocks even started getting stuck up there!! Next we went to the "Thrilling" Carrick-a-rede rope bridge. We had to pay to cross it before we seen it, and we almost laughed when we seen the size of it and felt that we had been ripped off haha!! But O well we crossed the 15mtre gap, and then went back to the bus. We made it to Belfast, then went on a black cab tour of the city - which was really interesting again, looking at the city walls and gates that are still shut each night to keep the 2 catholic and protestents religions separated into their separate parts of the city. When we were there a 600pound bomb was diffused, which kinda scared us abit into thinking why we wanted to be there!! But was and interesting learing curve - thats for sure. And umm, we probably drunk this night too - but I cant remember where now!

Day 3 of the tour we were on the way to Galway 'The party capital of Ireland', back in the Republic of Ireland. On the way to Galway we went to the Glencar Waterfall, and to Sligo where we seen poet W B Yeats Grave. In Galway we stayed in our flashest hostel and had a good night out on the town. Is a university town - so there were heaps of young people out and about on a Wednesday night!

The next day we were off to Dingle, on the way there we stopped in at the Cliffs of Moher - the suicide capital of Ireland - and it was easy to see why. You could walk up to the cliffs - Paul tripped twice in his jandels freaking me out!! Then some crazy aussies and kiwis we were with decided to see who could get the coolest photo closest to the edge - I was scared - and was a photographer - not a partaker!! It was a long way down!! That night we stayed in the Randy Leprechaun Pub - the most controversial pub in Ireland!! karoke tonight, I piked at 12.30, but think the boys got in at about 2.30!

Day 5 on tour we drove around the coast - at stopped at the most western point in Europe. Then it was off down to Killarney - which was a town in the lakes district - that kinda remimded us of TeAnau. We went for a walk into the national park and saw some massive stags - which Paul was able to take photos off. Tonight was a massive night out... which led to a painful final day on the bus the following day!!

Day 6 we went to Cork, and kissed the Blarney Stone!! Was good to have a break from the bus and walk around in the fresh air. This afternoon we travelled back to Dublin and went to the Guiness factory for a look around. Was like a sauna in the viewing platform/bar room - but good get a good view of the city. They it was back to the beginning - where we said our goodbyes - and Max picked us up! Back to Celbridge for the night, Max couldnt even get us to go to the pub, or have a quiet whiskey!! Were glad for an early night, and a sleep in the next day.

Sunday - we went for a walk around the river in Castletown/Celbridge with Max, Sharon, Connal, Ava, Emit and Indy (the dog), before taking a tour of a 18th century house that was huge!! Then it was back to the airport for our 45minute flight back!! A big thanks to Max and Sharon for letting us stay, showing us around and picking us up etc - the meals were great too!!

Until next time.....

Haz and Paul