Our trip to Ireland!

October 30, 2025

Ireland is one of those places that lives in you long after you've left her. It's only been a matter of weeks, and I'm still thinking about it. There are so many things to love about it, it's almost too difficult to describe- but here's what I can say: I have never been to a kinder place. I have never been to a place with a greater national and cultural pride. And- I've never seen a place so proud of it's history. No place that I have been to compares. THAT'S what stays with you.

The trip was nothing short of amazing. My family was with me, and we had a whole busload of "extended family" with us as well! It was such a cool group to travel with! Everybody was chill, and having a great time! And our tour guide - Barbara Hunter, and our driver- Diurmond were top shelf. Best ever. Seriously- so kind and accomodating to all of us - and they made the trip extremely special.

Thanks so much to the folks at Collette for taking care of virtually every single detail and doing it so that the 9 days we spent there - were ones we will all never forget.

And next year? We're going to beautiful PORTUGAL!!!

So here is a couple of photo albums - the first - are the ones I took with my phone.

The second- were ones I shot with the camera.

Hopefully- both will give you a feel for what we saw, and the fun we had in Ireland!

1 of 59

I got to drive the bus. Brought a little New England attitude with me...haha

2 of 59

Makin friends. Its what I do. haha

3 of 59

Last night, at Cabra Castle.

4 of 59

Ross Castle, Killarney

5 of 59

Cabra Castle

6 of 59

Valerie and I at the top of the Guinness Brewery

7 of 59

Waterford

8 of 59

9 of 59

10 of 59

This is a "Porn Star Martini", bought for me by a friend...haha

Photo: Apple Photos Clean Up

11 of 59

My friend Michele and I at a pub bearing her last name!

12 of 59

Killarney

13 of 59

14 of 59

15 of 59

16 of 59

17 of 59

18 of 59

Yeah. She loves me. :)

19 of 59

Valerie and I with the best tour guide on planet earth- Barbara Hunter.

20 of 59

Killarney

21 of 59

Going home

22 of 59

Tyler and I at The Celt Pub in Dublin. One of my favorite pubs we visited -

23 of 59

24 of 59

25 of 59

Blarney Castle

26 of 59

27 of 59

Photo: Apple Photos Clean Up

28 of 59

29 of 59

30 of 59

The Cliffs of Moher

31 of 59

Dublin

32 of 59

33 of 59

34 of 59

35 of 59

Photo: Apple Photos Clean Up

36 of 59

37 of 59

38 of 59

39 of 59

Lindsey and Ryan

40 of 59

41 of 59

Flyin home, Sallys on top

42 of 59

The Scally Boys - Tom, Me, Ryan and Dan

43 of 59

Tom snuck an empty Buzz Autumn Ale can to the top of the Guinness Brewery!

44 of 59

Who ordered the drink tower?

45 of 59

46 of 59

Me, Russell, Tom and Ryan

47 of 59

Me, Lindsey, Russell, Taylor, Nate, Tyler, Jodi and Ryan

48 of 59

Me and Tom getting in trouble

49 of 59

Group shot at Blarney Castle

50 of 59

Valerie and I , with Mike and Jess headed to the top of Blarney Castle

51 of 59

52 of 59

Me, Jeff, Paul, Fred and Tom having a Guinness

53 of 59

Me, Lindsey, Valerie, Barbara, Ryan, Joe and Jamie

54 of 59

Lexi, Morgan, Tyler, Caitlin, Bri and Taylor

55 of 59

Bob, Fred, Jeff, Joe, Me, Kelly and Mike

56 of 59

Me, Jeff, Rebecca,and Russell coming down from Blarney Castle

57 of 59

58 of 59

Group shot from the top of the Ring of Kerry

Photo: Greg Kretschmar

59 of 59

The group!! Such a fun bunch of folks!

Photo: Greg Kretschmar

And are some of the shots I got with the camera- (and yes, I will be releasing an Ireland calendar this week that will be available for purchase if anyone wants one).

1 of 27