A Pint and a Fag
So, imagine the title of this page spoken with an Irish brogue… Brock could do it for you. I can’t. But oh, how I LOVE Irish accents! In fact, I used to say that I wanted to marry an Irish man. It used to be on my “list” of must-haves. I got older, however, and I narrowed that list to more important things. But wouldn’t you know: my funny, RED-HEADED, freckle-faced, Arkansas-born, husband can do a GREAT Irish accent! And I *love* it! It makes me smile to think that maybe, just maybe, God was smiling down on me when He brought Brock into my life. As if to say “He may not be Irish, but he sure can speak like one!” 🙂
A home in Dublin... seriously? I could SO live here. And want to. Maybe someday.
Anyway, both of us–prior to meeting–have always wanted to visit Ireland. We talked briefly about going for our honeymoon, but decided instead to go somewhere where we could just “veg” rather than sight-see. So we plan on going to Ireland SOON!! We want to see all of it, to take it all in! We’ve even talked about staying for an extended period of time. What fun would that be!??! Anyway, we’re in the midst of planning a trip, where we’ll eventually have that “pint (of Guinness) and (maybe) a fag”!
The photo at the top of this post is of Ireland–it’s Great Skellig Island, off the southwest coast. Anyone ever been to the Emerald Isle? Can you give us any pointers–what are some must-see places? What should we do? Anything we should avoid?
I really tried to say that with an Irish accent, and it didn’t work. I don’t think I have all the right props for it. My husband does a hilarious Jimmy Stewart impression, and makes me laugh every time.
On another note, that is a BEAUTIFUL little cottage. Could you imagine living there?! Hope you two get to visit Ireland soon.
Great blog, btw. 🙂
I LOVE that you tried to say it with an Irish accent. I try to mimic my husband’s all the time. I’m no good at it. But at least he keeps me in stitches.
Don’t you love husbands who keep us laughing? I think it’s one of the most necessary things in marriage–at least in ours.
Oh, I really can’t imagine living in that cottage, but would LOVE to!
So glad you’ve enjoyed my blog and I’m so happy you stopped by!
xo,
melissa
yeah, it’s getting creepy…Ireland is on my bucket list…I have wanted to go for so long it could BE my bucket list! I am more than half Irish so I thought, eh surely they will welcome me with loving Irish arms!! Wrong! Geesh, the laws on visiting are awful – but the laws on living there, like moving there from here especially, well let’s just say unless you are a go-billionaire they just don’t want you. I was heart broken and a lil insulted! But it really is a beautiful country, isn’t it? The scenery, the people…it’s just amazing.
Yeah, my husband and I saw that it’s WAY expensive–to visit and live. But we WILL–one day! Maybe not to live, but definitely to visit. I’ve had SO many friends go and absolutely love it. Can’t wait to see it with my own eyes, rather than via someone else’s pictures. 🙂
I lived in England for 4 years and made a point to visit Ireland at least twice a year (i’m from South Africa). What i loved about Ireland:
Spend some time in Dublin (maybe 2 days is enough) and check out the night life. My favourite is John Gogartys (http://www.gogartys.ie/). Also, The Ha’penny Bridge Inn gives you a good idea of Irish music and craic. It might be ‘tourist’ but it is fun. Also, the Guinness factory is a must.
But the country side is where it’s at: my favourite place is Galway on the West coast.
The first time I got around by buying a ‘Rover bus ticket’ that allows you an amount of days travel unlimited on the bus. Hop-on hop-off style. Very economic and slower but you still have the freedom to go where and when you want by just planning it right. The busses are usually reliable and on time and bus schedules accurate (Dublin to Galway = 4hours by bus). Renting a car is the obvious (but more expensive) way to go.
But the whole idea is to just go where your heart leads you. The people are so friendly and welcoming and love dispensing good advice without prompt. That what brought me back every time.
Waking up every morning in a different town and deciding over coffee where the bus would take me next. Or if I liked the town, I stayed.
There are a lot to see and do and daytrips are always available. Oh, and check out the local Gaelic sports.
Whatever you do, ENJOY !!!
(I would move there tomorrow if it wasn’t for the weather 🙂
kF
Thank you SO much for your advice! We absolutely cannot wait to visit Ireland. I love hearing that you enjoyed Galway; I have family from there and was planning on spending some time there. But knowing that it’s beautiful too just makes it that much better!!
I’m so happy that you stopped by and offered some of your past experience there!
Have a good one!
~m
I’m *obsessed* with the UK, primarily London and other parts of England, so I support anyone’s goal to visit that area. 🙂 I spent a summer in London while in college doing a study abroad program. It was the best 5 weeks of my life and and so thankful and humbled that God has given me an opportunity to go back in a month(!!!!) for a short-term mission trip in London! More info about my trip is here: http://e3partners.org/gr2london. Plus you can meet the ‘real’ me online (i.e. not the anonymous blogger me).
I look forward to hearing more about your trip plans and hope that you get to have a trip of a lifetime there! There is something magical about that part of the world. Maybe it’s all the Jane Austen books, Celtic lore, or Lochness monster legends that make the UK seem special. What am I talking about…we all know it’s the accents! 🙂
I just checked out the website you linked to your comment. Thank you for including that. I will be praying for you while you’re there! What an awesome opportunity to share the love and grace of God with the people of London! Will you be updating that site? I’d love to know more about what happens while you’re there.
It’s been a while since I’ve been on one, but I have always enjoyed short-term missions trips.
It’s going to be a couple of years before we get to go, but I hope we get to have the trip of a lifetime too! Thank you!! There really is something magical… I can’t quite put my finger on it, but I think it’s everything you mentioned all playing a part. And of course (OF COURSE!!) those awesome accents!
I’ll most likely be updating my Facebook more than anything. My fundraising page is a little fickle behind the scenes and I haven’t figured out a non time consuming way to keep regular updates, though I’ve wanted to. I may have to figure something out soon because I’d really like to.
Anyway, you’re welcome to friend me on fb and keep updated that way!