I actually made it in time to RDU where they confiscated a tube of body lotion from my carry on. It was 6 oz. instead of 4. What is wrong with these people? Body lotion? Give me a break. But they missed the water bottle that was in my purse. (Nope, can't bring your own drink with you. Have to participate in their racket.) Then in NYC they took the drink that I'd bought in RDU. Air travel sucks these days. All because some people in power overreacted to some nutcases. It really is true that one bad apple spoils it for everyone else. I miss the days when paranoia was not in control.

The Aer Lingus flight was only 5.5 hours (much better than the 8 that I was anticipating). I sat next to a NY firefighter who was traveling back to Ireland for a family visit in country Cork. Never got his name. So I leave the US on the 19th and arrive in Ireland on the 20th. There is a 5 hour time difference.

After landing in Shannon, I skipped breakfast but did get some coffee before picking up the car and heading out to find the B&B (bed and breakfast) that I was pre-booked for. I got lost (of course) but was able to get a pic of a sheep and her 2 lambs in Barefield (which consists of 2 pubs, a church, and the post). Finally found the B&B, Elmdale House, and was exhausted. It was only 4:30am in the US and I hadn't gotten any sleep because I forgot to ask for decaf when I got my Starbucks in NY. Oops.

So the proprietress was kind enough to let me check in early and sleep the day away. Which I did. The room is cozy and I loved the tiles in the bathroom. No, I didn't take a picture of the tiles but I wish I had. I spend some time talking with Mrs. Anne O'Halloran and getting info on where to have dinner and what I wanted to eat for breakfast and what time for breakfast. I also apologized for not being very coherent when I arrived. She graciously waved that off. Their web site can be found at http://www.elmdalehouse.com/

I went down the street (actually route N18) to have dinner at the Ballyline Pub and Restaurant. (the candle fire incident place from my first note) The food was very good but there was no music, just a telly and some regulars.

The intended destinations for day 2 are Limerick (Kings Castle), Adare (picturesque Irish town), and Killarney (national park).