Potatoes and more potatoes

The sunshine didn't last. When we went down to supper, it was beginning to rain hard. But that is what we expected here. We joined with some of the non-Texans (from Calif, Connecticut and another couple I can't place yet). The lady from Seattle missed a flight and will be here Monday.

We drove about 20 min to a pub named the MERRY PLOUGHBOYS PUB where we had a huge supper and ENTERTAINMENT. Supper choices were 4 legs, 2 legs and no legs (beef, chicken, salmon) with potatoes and potatoes and more potatoes (and carrots) The meat was placed on a bed of "mashers", yep mashed potatoes, then on the side were chunks of roasted white and sweet potatoes and roasted carrots. Tasty, but I see a pattern here. The brown bread is wonderful. The food was plentiful and filling, but as our guide mentioned not very exciting--her word was bland. I may be craving salsa and chilis before we get home. But we won't go hungry.

The entertainment was superior. Four guys playing instruments and singing. I suppose the best thing was the BODHRAN (which is a native drum) and could this guy make it "sing". Another of the quartet played fiddle and sang Irish tenor. His name is Dermitt and what a voice!! After they had sung for an hour or so, they brought the 5 Irish dancers on and they were amazing. This Pub is owned and operated by the musicians and they are even outside after the show to help folks to their vehicles. We sat by the couple (Pat and Shawn) who are from Connecticut and they are celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary. We'll meet some of the others later.

Our tour manager tells us that when we get into rural Ireland, internet will not be available except at the one computer in the lobby and that ususally doesn't work. So-- tomorrow we're headed to Bonduron, a small coastal town. We'll probably post tonite after our walk about in Dublin with time on our own, but after that perhaps not til we get to Belfast. I'll keep notes to be able to remember what I want to tell you.

Oh, yeah, tomorrow (Tuesday) we'll have lunch at the Famine museum--doesn't that sound omnious? Or maybe just a little wrong? We'll see. It is 7 am Monday morning and I need to go get ready for breakfast.