In early September, 1999, my wife Joyce and I flew to Shannon in Ireland. From there, we drove northwest to a little airfield on the edge of legendary Galway Bay, from which we took a flight on a dinky 6-seater plane to Inishmor, the largest of the Aran Islands.
Thus began a two week adventure into Celtic footsteps among the islands and the mainland of Western Ireland in Counties Galway, Mayo and Kerry. We toured the islands of Aran, Inishbofin and Clare; we drove through the bogs of Connemara , south to the splendor of Kerry and we braved the sea to experience the spirituality of the Skelligs. The trip climaxed with 3 days in Dublin.
We saw ancient castles and ring fortresses, gorgeous scenery and pretty villages. We met warm, friendly people and heard tales modern and new. The next 8 pages attempt to summarize our Irish experience.