Ireland

The Amazing Rock of Cashel - our favorite ruins. The huge rock Christian is leaning against fell from the castle wall and they left it right where it landed.

Charles stole the hearts of every Italian woman in a tour group at the Rock of Cashel. They honestly followed me around and chattered in Italian "baby talk" to Charles' smiles.

A flat tire on a packed-to-the-gills-rental was NOT our idea of a good time, but the little thing made it across Ireland on the spare and we lived to tell about it.

Our hotel on our last night in the town of Kilkenny. It was called the Butler House and was gorgeous.

The Cliffs of Moher. What a breathtaking view!

Charles looking through a cell at Kilmainham Gaol in Dublin.

Christian had business in Dublin so I just had to go with him. We spent an amazing week driving all over the beautiful island and had all kinds of adventures including a flat tire, an unexpected surfing town (which led to a quck dip in the Atlantic and some great fish and chips), two close encounters with sheep, and great B&B’s. We were completely spoiled at the Dublin Ritz Carleton where Christian's conference was. We had our own hot tub on the balcony, a full kitchen and living room, and the most dreamy bed. I still think about that bed and wish I could transport it to Milwaukee. They also gave us a personal driver to take us around Dublin. Talk about swank! It was pretty amazing. After leaving the Ritz we were on our own buck and downgraded to a few mom and pop B&B's that were rather humerous, but memorable. Charles was an absolute dream and was also very popular with the Irish and European tourists. What a wonderful trip!