Breakfast at McDonald’s

Sleeping cat at Waterford Castle

Waterford Castle, located 2 miles from Waterford City is uniquely situated on its' own private 310 acre island on the River Suir, surrounded by woodlands and an 18 hole championship golf course. Waterford Castle offers accommodation of a superb standard and is currently the only 5 Star Hotel in the South East of Ireland. The Castle's 19 bedrooms are bright and airy with stunning views of the surrounding estate, the guests live here rather than simply stay. The Castle was never out of the social limelight and figured prominently in the 18th century as the home of Mary Frances Fitzgerald, a formidable lady, who dominated the social world of the time. At one stage engaged to the Duke of Wellington - The Iron Duke, who defeated Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo and later became a British Prime Minister - she broke off the engagement to marry her first cousin, John Purcell in 1801. An extravagant lady who was in the habit, on her return to the family seat, of being rowed in state across the river with twenty-four musicians playing in the barge.

Butchers at Kinsale

John McCornack

Kinsale Kinsale in County Cork is one of the most picturesque, popular and fashionable resorts of the south-west coast of Ireland. Famous for its beautiful yachting, sea angling, Dolphin & Whale Watching Trips, gourmet restaurants and golf. For those of you who would like to improve your English, there is the excellent Kinsale School of English and Art galleries Kinsale can easily claim its place amongst Ireland's most historic locations for this has been a centre of population, commerce, trade and fishing far beyond memory and record. In its earliest days the estuary of the Bandon River gave it great importance as the river is tidal as far as Innishannon and water transport was dominant until the 18th Century. The estuary also provided excellent anchorage for ancient shipping which went in peril of the vagaries of the weather. Kinsale town nestles between the hills and the shoreline, a maze of narrow streets, never far from the water and little changed in many hundreds of years. Amongst buildings of later periods are those of another age with historical links to the French, Spanish, British and Americans. HISTORY The Battle of Kinsale, fought in 1601 between a combined Spanish, an Irish force and English armies, was a turning point in Irish history. The harbour is guarded by two very fine star-shaped fortresses built in the 17th century: Charles Fort is well worth a visit (guided tours). See also the old Courthouse, now a museum; St Multose Church, built in the 13th century and still in use, and 'French Prison', the 16th century Desmond Castle. There is a signposted tourist trail to this fascinating town with a guide booklet. Take a trip too to the Old Head of Kinsale for magnificent cliff scenery. It was off here that the Lusitania was sunk in 1915 with a loss of over 1,500 lives. http://www.cork-guide.ie/kinsale.htm

Sail boats

When we think of Ireland we think about Shamrock’s, dancing and drinkin’ beer But all of it is so very much fun We just love St. Patrick’s Day cheer. M. I. Lusby 2-23-12

The Amazing Kinsale If you want to do some traveling Ireland is the place to go Seeped in ancient history You’ll be fascinated with it so Kinsale will make you welcome Anything you’d want to do is there Whether yachting, fishing or golf Or a delicious gourmet fare Nestled between hills and shore Such a beautiful place to go While standing on the reaching cliffs You’ll see an amazing scene below And oh, the Waterford crystal You know, this is where it’s made Clear back in 1873 it began Though the arts had been delayed Secret minerals made a special tone No other crystal sounds the same Its beauty is of the finest quality It has gained tremendous fame So as you can see, folks To celebrate St. Patrick’s Day Ireland is where you need to visit Go to Kinsale without delay! Marilyn Lott (c) 2006

Learn to know Don 1. There is an enormous contrast between life as we know it today and life as it was in your childhood. 2. Between then and now, the most remarkable period of progress in world history has occurred. 3. Yesterday’s hardships have been replaced with comfort and convenience. 4. We have much for which to be thankful because of the differences made by our elder generations. 5. Your progressive mindedness put us all on a good path and helped set the tone for continued progress in the future. 6. Progress is defined as moving forward or onward toward a destination or goal. 7. It is to develop, advance or improve upon what we have now so we can meet our ever changing future need.

Photo by Marilyn Green Trees Green is for the lovely trees That surrounds my property Springtime opens up their buds And brings a smile to me. Some open up flower buds like Rhododendrons for the bees Nothing makes me happier than My extraordinary green trees. Elizabeth Anderson 3-4-14

Historical Photo by John Memories of the good times Downtown Foss, Oklahoma in the 1960’s

A Spanish Cove special memory Roger ~ 2015 Chili Cook-off