Abe Froman: February 2014

As soon as we found out we were pregnant Matt immediately decided that we NEEDED to go on a trip (note: within the last 6-7 months we had been to Brazil, Argentina, Iceland, Mexico, and UT). Needless to say, I obliged and we had a wonderful time! Ireland was preceded by NYC (see past blog). We looked for a more chill trip because we didn't know how I would be feeling at 5 months pregnant; not too strange of food, English speaking, easy to get around, etc… Ireland turned out to be the hot ticket - and clearly Ireland knew it was our baby moon, because we didn't get rained on once. I think it might be some kind of record. Irish people are lovely, over the top friendly, and the landscape is ridiculously quaint and post card like. Cheers to going back sometime soon!

We started our trip off in Dublin.

The Brazen Head is Ireland's Oldest Pub. In the evenings they offer a sit down dinner with a traditional story teller and music as part of the entertainment.

The Morgan Hotel. I think this was room #3… we were continually upgraded… couldn't get to a room where we couldn't hear the thumping bass of the night club down below. I don't think we slept the whole night - literally. Then at 3 am, a trumpeter chose to serenade us outside of our window. I may have cried.

Don't mind the red nose, I did have a cold the entire trip.

Precious little pubs and live music abound.

We attended a mass in Christ Church Cathedral in hopes to hear their famous choir. They didn't disappoint, it was ethereal and beautiful.

Always ready for a brawl.

Loading up on Vitamin C to try to combat the cold.

Gorgeous library at Trinity College just past the Book of Kels exhibit

on our way to the Adare Manor we made a stop in Kilkenny to tour the town and a few castles.

Our ginormous hotel room at the Adare Manor - yes, two fire places. They were just putting up Christmas Decorations in the lobby that were simply stunning.

Our trusty steed - note the continual sunshine.

The Adare Manor in all it's glory. It sat on 800 acres with a river and a golf course.

The falconry was one of the stand out moments of the entire trip. These birds were so gentle, and many likes to be pet and snuggled. After we left Matt concluded that he wanted an owl for Christmas, and wasn't kidding.

Oscar was the bird with the most sass. He was hissing at us and pecking Matt when he got too close. The best part was when our guide told us what a good boy he was being, while he hissed at us.