Ireland Visit 2026, A Pilgrimage

We revisit those places where we experienced love, 

as pilgrims return to holy places,

to be reminded, 

restored, 

and reaffirmed by them. 

~ Phillis Grissom-Theroux 

More modern Celtic cross in the cemetery of the Killamary High Cross

This return to Ireland was primarily for music, literature, and art. We would not be disappointed. 

After 50 some odd years, MM, one of my college roommates, returned to Ireland to join me on a visit to the Kilkenny Arts Festival.* MM first went to Ireland in 1975. She has continued to travel - extensively - including to Spain, Mexico, Central and South America. I do not presume to relate all of her adventures over the years or for her reasons for that first trip to Ireland. Those are her stories to tell.

I first ran away to Ireland in 1977. My story generally includes that I was heartsick or that I was in-between undergrad and graduate schools and didn't know what to do with myself. Both are true. That first trip was the making of me in many ways. And I did "experience love" on that first trip. I began an affair with Ireland - the place and her people - that continues.** This would be my 13th trip.***

Where did we go and what did we do?

We started and ended in Dublin.

The Kilkenny Arts Festival (and the Alt Festival) consumed the bulk of our time.

We hired a driver for a day trip to local sights - examples of what people often think of when they visit the country - castles, holy wells, monastic sites, and high crosses.

And?

I never know how these posts will turn out. But will add general comments here before moving along.

It was unseasonably warm more than a few days. While temps in the high 70s and low 80s do not sound serious when it was over 100 degrees at home, there are few places with air conditioning in Ireland.

We did not need our raincoats. We felt sprinkles a couple of times.

We saw exactly one rainbow from the window of our B&B in Dublin.

It is a sad excuse for a rainbow, but there you go.

We did not rent a car. We used public transportation (train, bus), cabs, a tour bus, and our feet*** to get where we needed to be. There was no hitchhiking on this trip (unlike those adventures in the 1970s).

NOTES: 

* https://www.kilkennyarts.ie/

** https://walkinthepark-padimus.blogspot.com/2014/09/i.html

*** We had to cancel trips in 2011, 2020, and 2021.

**** We logged well more than 10,000 steps each day except when we were traveling.