Everywhere we went we were greeted by the Irish Flag. We were also greeting by incredible blue skies, very uncommon in Ireland. We were told (on a daily basis) this was the best weather in Ireland in the past 40 years. I was also told before we left that we would benefit from a great blessing. I have no doubt that the incredible weather was part of this, as were our fantastic tour guides (thanks Tom, Stoney and Paddy), the remarkable hospitality, the great food, the awesome traditional Irish music (and I could go on, and on, and on). Please consider joining us next year when I return (with Dan Sebranek) to take a special group of people to the Emerald Island on another memorable healing journey in the Spirit of Ireland: Ruins, Runes and Tunes!

One of highlights of the trip, and there were MANY, was spending a night at a national theater in Tralee to see Clann Lir (a mythical fairytale story set to music.) Perhaps this could best be described as RiverDance meets Swan Lake. There really is no way to describe it other than Pure EXCELLENCE in Irish Theater. The Story: A widower king with four children marries a sorceress, who out of jealousy turns the children into swans for eight hundred years. Lots of Irish dancing and a stellar performance all the way around.

We went to several pubs to hear live traditional Celtic/Irish music. Fiddles, banjos, guitars, penny whistles and scores of Irish tenors. Every night was a treat (thank God there is a smoking ban now in Ireland). Many a late night was had at these pubs but the music was simply magical. Here Dan and Mary join in the fun on stage with Cooper and O'Neil at McDermott's pub in Doolin, Irleand.

This photo was taken at St. Bridget's well, a holy site believed to be founded by the original St. Bridget. Some people say that St. Bridget was a cross-over archetypal figure from the pagen world to the Christian world who's legend has become mythical in stature. There was certainly a sense of sacredness around the water.

The cathedral in Killarney was most impressive. I am not sure this photo does it justice, but nevertheless, it was worth the walk across town to step in side.

We never did see any leprechauns, but they must exist because there are signs everywhere for them!

The Stones of Ireland

Not to be outdone by the doors of Ireland, I put together a composite poster image of the stones and stone formations as well. Ireland has NO shortage of rocks, but what they do with them is quite impressive (from walls to castles), dating back as early as the Bronze Age. I could have filled this single page with about 40 more images, but kept it to 9 so each could be seen without a magnifying glass.
Enjoy!