My trip was to Ireland was great! Everything worked according to my plans and hopes. I flew to Dublin via Delta Airlines. The hub in Atlanta was easier to brave than Kennedy in NY.

My stay in Dublin was well planned: visits to the National Archives, the National Library, and the Royal Irish Academy produced the records that I wished to see. Many hours of planning and research were done for this trip — thus my success rate. I learned of the Marshes Library, the first lending library in Ireland.

The accommodations were in town at a hostel ... price was right, room clean and comfortable, shared "facilities" and the wee towel took some getting used to! I could walk everywhere that I wished to visit in Dublin. Must say that most others at the hostel must have wondered who's mother was there! All my planning was done on the Internet...booking the hostel, and getting bus, train schedules and pricing. I had all the internet lists of resources for NA and NL with me.

Playing tourist, I took a Dublin Bus Tour. 6£ for the day, on and off as you like. The tour was well worth it as 1£ was reduced from admission to each visit, so the tour cost only 2£.

Visits included touring round the city with the many points of interest, and chosen stops at Christ Church Cathedral, burial place of Strongbow; St. Patricks Cathedral, burial place of Jonathan Swift; and Trinity College Library, home of the Book of Kells. Ended the day sorely tired and in need of refreshment at the Guinness Brewery. The "glass" did the job of refreshing! Guinness Storehouse is a great place to visit in Dublin, but the website does not give an inviting image. This WWW site gives grand architectural graphics and the history of other Dublin sights.

A part of the day was spent visiting books stores in Dublin. One block, and one street in particular, Nassau St., produced the finds. Fred Hanna's Bookstore is a fun visit and I found several books that I have been tracing. I met an Internet correspondent, and new friend, for lunch. She and her brother treated me to an evening at the Brazen Head Pub, the oldest pub in Ireland. Great traditional music and Guinness — more than a glass this evening! I particularly enjoyed that all the people there, a large international group of young and old, joined in with all the songs. It was not "touristy."

County Monaghan: Stayed in a great B&B near Monaghan Town, – see Willow Bridge Lodge, and set out on my discovery. Met some grand people who led me to others. Had some great days mucking about the Counties of Aghnamullen and Donaghmoyne. As there are few road signs and many roads, I had problems finding some townlands. At several points in my travels, I did not even know what county or country that I was in. I could not get to an ancient graveyard in the townland of Anny, home of my Floody ancestors, as I did not have wading boots! I even asked the farm owner if he had a horse. The response was "Not one that you can ride!"

The Monaghan County Council has www pages online with some information on history and genealogy. The Monaghan Museum was one of my stops, and they were most gracious in providing information, including how to park – boldly! Listed under these pages are town histories and information on genealogy.

I was able to pick up my copy of the Clogher Record, an annual journal of the history of County Monaghan. Lo, the cover story was about immigrants in Rhode Island from the counties of Tyrone and Monaghan. Another great article was about an estate agent on the Shirley Estates - landed estates of old.

These are two new WWW sites in the county. Monaghan Photographs and Moving Arts— a site promoting creative endeavours on a cross border basis. One of many endeavors that should receive lots of support.

I visited with Internet friends in County Armagh. We enjoyed some Tayto chips during our visit. Grand time touring. Ticked off many counties on this day. We drove north to the Giants Causeway, missed Bushmills as it was a Sunday, and along the coast south to Carnlough, Co Antrim for lunch at the Londonderry Arms. Great style and food.

We left the north and headed slowly for Shannon Airport and departure day. Stopped in Armagh City and visited Armagh Ancestory. They had a good stock of books and maps, and shared a document that is a work in progress on archaeological and historical sites in the counties Armagh and Monaghan.

One of my favorite places is The Cistercian Mellifont Abbey, in Co. Louth, was founded in 1142. It has all my elements: lovely country side, relicts, rocks and ruins.

Monasterboice, founded in 520, is nearby. The tower is of the Viking Period.

The River Boyne, as it flows by to the sea is peaceful. The River Boyne and the town of Slane are in lovely stretches of countryside in County Meath.





Newgrange from the Neolithic Period is amazing. Grand scale on the outside and –

Kilmacduagh in County Galway. Another site that suits my interests.

Our last night in Ireland was spent in the lovely town of Adare, County Limerick, a short trip to Shannon Airport. We stayed at Coatesland House, an area B&B, which soon should have their own WWW pages. They had the best shower I enjoyed in Ireland.

A great part of this success is that I used the Internet for much of my historical research and planning, and received tips and tricks from many Internet friends and correspondents. Did my leg work on my keyboard! Already planning my next trip in my head!

My travel to Ireland last year produced a big problem - a car crash. Read some auto rental experiences in Ireland.

Ann Harney, or visit Ann Harney DESIGNS