Day One: Detroit to Chicago to Dublin

Today I embark on a new adventure to explore my ancestry in Ireland.  From what I'm told, it is a beautiful and historic land, where people are as friendly and laid-back as anywhere on the globe. A recent plunge into ancestry.com (recommended for anyone with a curious mind and an appreciation of history) has led me to conclude that I have at least four great-grandparents who lived in Ireland and made the move to the United States in the late 1800s/early 1900s.  Further, ancestry.com has allowed me to figure out exact towns and addresses of where they lived and grew up.  Very cool.

I would like to get to those towns (which are in counties Tipperary, Cork, Kerry, and Mayo), as well as see some of the beauty that is the Irish countryside.  I will be traveling alone (at least I think I will be), which will undoubtedly lend itself to meeting people and finding myself in unique situations.  As a general rule for the trip, I vow to say "yes" to each new experience that is presented to me...within reason.

 

I recently reached out to an extended family member living in Dublin named Padraig...and it seems likely that I'll be meeting up with him.  I think he works in education, so we'll have a lot to talk about.

Beyond that, the journey is the destination.  The plan is to have no plan.

Top 5 Things I'm Looking Forward To (off the top of my head):

1.  Culture
2.  Family History (Who the hell am I, anyway?)
3.   Physical Beauty (I'm told this place is gorgeous)
4.  Surprises That Will Develop (Events I can't plan for)
5.  Pubs and Live Music (Thanks Holly and Ben for the recommendations)

I'll be traveling for 16 days (beginning today and returning August 14). Enjoy!