Liscannor, Ireland

2-21-06

We're now in Liscannor, Ireland (hence the title). For some reason (I guess I never looked closely at the map..? Or looked at a map at all?) I thought our house was close to Dublin. Actually, it's no where near it... So, I guess it's close if you're comparing it to say, Santa Monica.

We arrived at the Dublin airport and rented a car (yikes) and drove (yikes) 4 1/2 hours (!) to Liscannor. This beautiful town is on the southwestern coast right next to the ancient Cliffs of Moher.
The setting here is something made of a dream. You can't know what I'm attempting to describe without seeing it for yourself; the crumbling stone-stacked walls along the carriatge paved roads which divide off large plots of flat lands and ever soft rolling hills; the color of which is a vibrant green that only a few weeks in early spring can provide in California, but I'm sure there's never a day here without it. The crisp cold air breathes salty (what band?) and the frothy waves spill over dark pebble beaches. It's unbelieveable, really.

The town: so small that it doesn't need a traffic light. At every street corner and several lots in between an individually unique pub replaces a Starbucks. And there's not a bar-top around that doesn't have a couple of McCoys or O'Malleys talking over a pint of homegrown Guinness about anything having to do with football (soccer). I haven't met a person yet who hasn't flashed a smile and been all too happy to welcome us into town.

One entire month we'll spend here... The days will be relaxing beyond description, God willing. There's plenty of walking, driving and castle exploring to do. And we both hope to get plenty of reading and writing done on our scripts as well.