Scott, Lindsey, and our trip to the North

The Cunningham's are our good friends from California and we were bursting with excitement to have them stay with us.  We took in the familiar sights of Kinsale and Cork, ate amazing food, explored new places in Belfast, and enjoyed tons of live music in Dublin.

While Josh and Scott were working the days away, Lindsey and I took in a cooking course at Ballymaloe Cookery School.  We learned how to make bread, wings, chicken dishes, sauces, and meringues.

"When you step through the little wooden side gate and into the courtyard of Ballymaloe Cookery School you enter a different world.  A world where the whole emphasis is on food - growing it, preparing it, cooking it, eating it and, crucially, enjoying it."

This is the view from an adult tree house Lindsey and I discovered in the gardens, which over looks a life size hidden chess board.  The Ballymaloe gardens were like something straight off the pages of Alice and Wonderland.

The chef was inspirational as he managed to prepare multiple dishes at the same time.   I am most excited to recreate homemade brown bread. 

We also visited the English Market, one of the oldest markets of its kind.  The market was brimming with fresh produce,  artisan bread, meats, and delectable cheeses.

The market was packed with local products as well.  

This is one of the first castles we came across on our tour of Belfast.  Interestingly the North is still under British control.  We learned about the civil war that has been raging, and essentially tearing the North apart.  "The Troubled Times," as they are appropriately referred to, is a political and religious dispute that only recently has been resolved.

Gorgeous views of the Antrim Coastline.

Josh and I on Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge.  

From this angle you can see the the bridge is over 90 feet high.  With icy winds gusting, the four of us plodded over the ravine to reach Carrick Island.  The skies briefly opened for us to see across the "pond" to Scotland.

The Giant's Causeway.
The Causeway was formed millions of years ago and is a product of volcanic ruptures.

Legend has it that the Irish warrior Fionn McCool built the causeway to walk to Scotland to fight the Scottish warrior, Benandonner.  Realizing Benandonner was much larger then he, McCool and his wife, Oonagh, hatched a plan.  She laid a blanket over her husband and pretended he was her baby.  When Breandonner saw the size of the "infant," he assumed that the alleged father, Fionn, must be gigantic indeed.  Therefore the Scottish warrior fled home in terror, ripping up the Causeway to prevent being followed. 

  The Causeway was breathtaking. 

Back in Dublin...
the gang in the Guinness Tasting Room.  The factory is the best place to get the freshest brew beer. 

The boys in heaven at the Guinness Factory.  

Scott found a leprechaun! 

We were Dublin during their Trad Fest (Traditional Festival).  Every pub had drinks flowing and live music pumping.  Lindsey and Scott were asked to sing Molly Malone, lyrics include: crying cockles and mussels, alive, alive-o.

We absolutely enjoyed our time with the Cunningham's and had a fabulous time discovering new parts of Ireland with them!