Yesterday was a sad day for Eoin and me because my daughter, Kate, headed back to Chicago after spending a week with us in Kilkee.
The actress hams it up at the fireside.
Kate’s enthusiasm and the delight she takes in her surroundings – from admiring the grandeur of the cliffs to the tiniest details, like the cup her tea is served in – makes her a kindred spirit and we have great fun together! We laughed our way through The Burren in search of The Burren Perfumery; scared ourselves investigating a holy well at the side of a dark, country road; walked along cliffs and admired the ever-changing views of the sea; took countless drives around Loop Head on bright Irish summer evenings; marvelled at dolphins and ruins; and explored the Pollock Holes – cringing at sea creatures, which Eoin handled with ease.
Kate's "eww" face
We oohed and ahhed over beautiful scenery, baby animals in fields, Irish pottery and handcrafts, cozy, quaint tea shops and even the perfect shade of blue paint that trimmed the windows of a stone cottage!
During our long journey through The Burren in search of the Perfumery, I joked that the three of us were “Thelma and Louise – and Bart Simpson”!
…well Louise, Bart and I had a great time exploring West Clare and sharing the cottage with you and hope you come back again and again! Slán abhaile a Kate!
"Louise" and "Bart" having tea at the quaintest tea shop in The Burren.
Blogging from the Bog 
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August 6, 2010 at 6:22 pm
lifeonthecutoff
What a wonderful week this was for the three of you. I love Kate’s “pose” at the fireplace and The Burren looks like just the spot for tea. Lovely, Janet. It occurs to me that we are lucky for so many things, not the least of which is daughters with an adventuresome spirit and the love of coffee in a quaint spot.
August 7, 2010 at 2:56 am
bloggingfromthebog
You are so right about our luck Penny!
August 7, 2010 at 2:59 am
Eoin
I miss you kate 😦
August 7, 2010 at 3:02 am
bloggingfromthebog
… and you’ve said it 100 times since she left!
August 7, 2010 at 10:42 am
Pat Britt
I enjoy your wonderful blog! I found it by searching for a term to title a photo of children playing in the tide-pools of Kilkee. I’m entering the photo in an exibit at the Minnesota Irish Fest next weekend. I had wondered if there was a term the locals used for the kids using the nets and pails to explore the pools. I ended up just calling it “Tidepool Tradition-Kilkee” as I though the term Pollock Holes was just for the large holes where people swim? We love West Clare as that is where my Great Grandparents came from (West Moveen). Thank you for painting a pictue of what it is like to live there, not just vacation there!
Pat Britt, Eagan Minnesota
August 7, 2010 at 3:10 pm
bloggingfromthebog
Thanks for your comment Pat, it’s always exciting to hear from someone who found my blog by chance and I’m glad you enjoy it! Our cottage is probably very near where your great-grandparents lived since we are right down the road from the Moveen National School, which is a two room elementary school still in use.
While I am not just on vacation here, I’m only here for the summer and any short trip I’m able to make during the rest of the year – so I’m sort of between two worlds at the moment.
Best of luck with your photo exhibit entry!
August 9, 2010 at 6:56 am
Kate
I miss you guys!!! Everyday when I wake up (extremely early from jetlag) I wish it was to Thelma (or louise) and Bart, and a chilly, and fresh misty Irish morning.
I miss having tea and scones, I had tea here and it, of course, wasn’t the same. I miss accidental sightseeing. I miss stopping for lunch and dinner and almost always dessert 🙂 with you guys as company.
Yes Eoin, I miss the Pollock Holes, but I miss you more. You are my favorite, most cuddly, little Irish boy. and I miss hugging you, even when you were wet and cold in your wetsuit!
Most of all I miss the adventures the three of us had! We really did fly by the seat of our pants a lot, didn’t we! Our time together will come again soon and if it is even close to as amazing as this last trip was it will be time well spent. Really enjoy the rest of your time there, America kind of stinks…..
Love you both!!
August 9, 2010 at 1:56 pm
bloggingfromthebog
The conversation has definitely gone downhill since you left!
I know you don’t really think “America kind of stinks…” – but – there definitely is a culture shock after spending even a week in Ireland! When you’re annoyed with the el, or the crowds of people around you in Chicago, think of the casual/clean public restrooms in Ireland or about the times you couldn’t use your credit card to pay for things here! There’s always an up and a down side!
By the way, you are Louise because she was the younger, less jaded of the two – and being your mother I felt it was only fair that I took Thelma!
Love – Mom