I broke my own rule. I never go on vacation or take a trip (yes, they are different) during holiday season. I would rather stay at home and catch up on repairs and maintenance. Circumstances dictated I visit Ireland in August in 2015. It seemed the entire population of the world had the same idea.

The Wild Atlantic Way has been receiving a great deal of media attention. It is the world's longest defined…

It was one of those beautifully mild summer evenings in Ireland. The Dubliners were playing at the Merriman Tavern in Scariff and I was not working until the following evening. Perhaps my brother, Tony, would like to join me so I headed the 50 or so miles for North Clare from my…

A lot of changes can occur in a place in 20 years. That is how long since I last visited the University of Limerick. At that time it was relatively easy to find ones way around the campus. Parking was plentiful.…

During his 1984 presidential visit to Ireland, a reporter asked Ronald Reagan what he thought of the groups who were protesting about various American policies. The president replied that it was good they lived in a country where they were allowed to protest.

Organizers…

About three decades and a half ago there was a pleasant bar where I used to drop in for a quiet pint.

That was a practice I have not participated in for several years. I am the worse for that. If I had continued with that pleasant pastime the water that has flowed under the…

Benton, Wisconsin is located on State Route 11 between Monroe to Dubuque. The town consists of well-maintained restaurants, bars, churches, garages and residential buildings.

Saint Patrick’s Church and graveyard is located at the east end of the main street. A shrine at the…

When I was growing up on a farm in the west of Ireland in the 1950s and 60s, a Morris Minor did not warrant a second glance. They were everywhere. They provided utilitarian transportation for countless families. Occasionally a convertible version driven by a British tourist…

You can’t beat an open fire.

It can be fuelled…

After traveling from the new Terminal 2 at Dublin Airport to Galway on a GoBus luxury coach I needed to contact my brother as we had arranged. My American cellphone could not get service. I am…