My oldest daughter moved to California about 8 years ago from Michigan, where I am now.  One day, on my lunch break from work, (St Patty's Day, actually, but it was so early in California, she hadn't realized it yet) Tara called me to tell why she had insisted I get a Passport about 10 months earlier, she said, "I have to tell you why I had you order your passport Mom (I had forgotten about it after filing it away) It's so we have time to learn, plan....We're going to IRELAND Momsy, just you and I!  Hopefully next Spring!"  'Trip of a Lifetime' for me!  (My mom had always wanted to see Ireland, too, but she was afraid of flying)   I cried!!!  Just her and I, together, in the land of shamrocks, fairies, leprechauns and castles!  What an Amazing Gift she is giving me!  My Grandfather, who died when my mother was a very young girl, was in a Wales Catholic Orphanage (not sure if he was from Wales or originally from Ireland) and had come to America as a stow-away on a ship.  His younger had been adopted by a Canadian farming family and he followed his brother on the ship.....eventually the two brothers, John & William Lloyd, found their way across the Detroit River and into Michigan, where they later met and married sisters, Mary (my grandmother) & Mina.   

     On my Father's side of the family, we have Irish roots back about four generations. It has been my life's (silent) dream to someday be able to see the beautiful, lush green hills & valleys, the Quilt Land of Tipperary, Holy Wells, forests & ruins and to visit where my ancestors once lived!  I have been clipping articles and reading and researching over the past few years, creating our Ireland "Bucket List".

     P.S....When my daughter called, that St. Patty's Day 2012 morning, and said, "next Spring", we had no idea what God had planned for them later that year!  Their first child!  My beautiful & amazing Grandson!  So, "next Spring" is yet to come. 

May the Luck O' the Irish be with Us All!!  Thank you for this amazing chance!!

Tell us why YOU want to experience the ‘Wild West’ of Ireland, and you might win a free 9-day trip there, courtesy of Wild West Irish Tours and WOW Air. Get the details!