The Heritage Hotel Portlaoise

... besides pasta, lunch meat sandwich, or pizza. Then when we came back Lindsey & Brittany had made me a cake while I was gone and put up a birthday banner. Jordan also got be a flashing birthday girl sash. Everyone hung out in my apartment till about 10 and then we went downtown to the pubs. We called for taxis for 16 people and ended up getting this party bus with lights and loud music. The ride was really cool and the night was a blast!

... next stop, the town of Carlow. We&#8217;re staying at the Avlon Bed &amp; Breakfast, which has gotten rave reviews. Tom has thought of everything the traveler might need, most importantly, a comfortable king-sized bed. He gave us directions to a wonderful pub for dinner where we had roast beef and the ever present &#8220;potatoes and veg&#8221;.<br><br>Back at the b&amp;b, we&#8217;re relaxing and looking forward to sleeping in a bit before enjoying what promises to be a wonderful breakfast.

Founded in 1620 - best known for the family's contribution to astronomy. In 1845, the world's largest telescope at the time was built here. The 56 ft wooden tube is supported by two walls.<br><br>In the gardens, they apparently also have the world's largest hedge-row.<br>

... afternoon so there were plenty of folks enjoying the beach. Everyone parked their cars on the hard sand so we joined them. On the hill behind the beach there was a nice little cafe that served light lunches and beer. Jim ordered a Guinness and I ordered the Bulmer's Pear. We were amazed that even in a beach front restaurant, where everyone took their food and drinks outside, our drinks were served in glasses and food was served with ...

After a sleepinTK cooked brekky - A large Irish Fryup (bacon, eggs, black pudding, white pudding, potatoes and toast) - we could hardly move, especially when you add numerous cups of tea on top of this!! More relies arrived to meet up with AJ - much talking, sharing tales and looking at photo albums made by GK's mum. Family members were PD, SD, FD and HD - all cousins and second cousins. We then headed off to ...

... which is very nice indeed) and then got back in the car with the sunroof open - before it started raining that is. We drove to AJ's mum's house in Boris Road Port Laoise, we even have the photo's to prove it! After battling with the school pickup traffic and children running to the local store to purchase their stock of lollies we headed to the main shopping precinct. Port Laoise is ...

... was when Amber stumbled on the almost totally hidden remains of some stone outbuildings long since taken over by the trees, ferns and creepers of the dark woods nearby. If you ask me it was these buildings that still carry the most character and mystique that surrounds the monastic lives of the people that lived here nearly a thousand years ago.<br> <br>From Ballyhack we crossed by ferry to Passage East and had left County Wexford behind for County ...

... was born at the Rock of Dunamese. Now his father died when he was only a baby and his mother died when he was only 9. He had two sisters and they were older. My dad's two sisters had a man who ran the farm until my dad was quite an age, when he was into his 20's anyway. The man who ran the farm when my father was a boy, this man was well into his 40's or 50's, but before that he was one of 13, the youngest of 13. Naturally he had to go off ...

... typically travel 200 km per day, while stopping twice. Given that model, I figured we'd be in Portlaoise on the night of the 4th, Roscommon on the night of the 5th, and Drogheda on the night of the 6th. So, I made accomodation reservations in Portlaoise and Roscommon. But, I didn't make any in Drogheda just in case we had a change in plans.<br><br>The plans did change. Not because we found new areas to visit, but because we made better time on the roads ...

... there'd be no tourist buses there either. The guide books call Laois "flat and boring". But I like it. There's nothing fancy about Laois, but it is a great way to ease into Irish life. I also love the fact the church next door to home was built in 1786, two years before the first fleed landed in Sydney Cove. It's a buzz to see my great grandfather buried beneath the ruins of the Rock of Dunamese or visit Abbeyleix House next to my grandfather's sister ...