The American Downey Irish Travelers spent a week on the bus on a Grand Loop of Ireland from June 5 through June 13 2005. Amazingly...we all got along great...and never left anyone behind.
The back of the bus seemed to be the rowdier bunch...when they weren't sleeping
Brian Downey...awake..He's not really mad at anyone...He just woke up.
A Happier Anna Downey...
A serious Elizabeth Downey
...but happy to pose with Ed...Guess her Dad makes her happy.
Joe Dols had serous things to discuss...
...while Joe's son Tim and Dave Stone had some serious sleeping to do after another late night.
Christine and Elizabeth always make Ed happy...
...and Helen Downey brought Australian Koala's to make everyone happy as Jo contemplates..."Does he really have to do that?". Matt's thinking..."Another Engineer...just like my Dad.".
We had enough extra room that Jo could finally have time to herself...
...Katie read and Christine enjoyed the countryside, while Theresa Dols joined Dave and Tim in sleep.
...while Steve and Greg Downey slept on the other side of the bus.
Then Theresa awoke refreshed with a big smile...
We we able to make a lot of stops...loading by the back door when it was safe...We had to be careful with a right hand door in a country that drives on the left..
So we normally loaded by the front door after a stop such as this one at the Carraig Pub in Quiet Man Country as we came into Connemara. Irish roads are still narrow. Mike Downey, Pete Downey, and Matt Downey had driven in prior visits to Ireland, and we all agreed that it was a lot simpler to leave the driving to Gary.
Jason Stone was our Treasurer so that we could get group rates into various tourist sites. He made a great deal to get us into Kylemore Abbey...We got 20% discount because that's all we had in the Treasury. We had to remember our Green Dots to get into Kylemore. Reliable Ed remembered his...as Jo laughed.
Gary kept us safe, informed, entertained, and on-time...turning things back to Diana Downey, as Tour Director at night so that he could get a break. If you don't like your room...see Diana. Accommodations were generally great.
The Front of the Bus...We seem have overlooked some pictures of the of the front of the Bus where most of Mary Rose's family rode for a week. We include some of Mary's family pictures here...
Duane and Mary sat at the front of the bus...captured here overlooking Dingle Bay on the Ring of Kerry.
Melody and Aaron Stone and their family sat in front, and their kids were
absolutely great travelers. Young Aidan got lots of attention as he was
passed from relative to relative. Conner and Ryan jumped right in.
Pete Downey liked Aaron's hat...
Dave was rode the back of the bus with the young people...but we liked this picture at the Cliffs of Moher.
Joanne and Jason Stone are shown here in Galway. Jason was drafted and did a great job in collecting the entry fees and getting us group rates into attractions.
Pete and Jennifer are shown here at Ladies view on the Ring of Kerry...
Diana shown visiting the Family Cemetary with Patrick in background...
On the morning of June 13 at Bunratty, we had to return to the States. Joe Dols and Ed Downey had an earlier flight than the rest of us and Gary was considerate enough to make 2 trips. Everyone got up to wish the Dols-Downey families goodbye...
...and then we waited for our turn for the Aer Lingus flight. We were blessed with another sunny Irish day and perfect weather...making a straight week after a wet first day on the way from Shannon to Killarney.
The Aer Lingus travelers finally loaded up...ready to head back to the States.
Diana was truly happy that after almost a year of planning, everything had turned out more smoothly than anyone could have expected. It was a trip of a lifetime. For a number of the Downey Cousins plus Jamie representing the Dunn side of the family. We all had a chance to get to know one another better.
In Memory of James and Catherine Hayden Downey...and John and Mary O'Meara Downey, James, and Patsy...and all their descendents, who have gone before. We are challenged to keep alive the fearless pioneering spirit and love of family that they passed on.. John and Mary headed West across the Atlantic on their ship with their dreams in 1851...and James 2 years later headed East as he made the long trip to Australia. Could they ever have imagined crossing the Atlantic or the European-Asian continents in the comfort of a modern jet aircraft...and touring their beloved Emerald Isle in the comfort of our bus. Modern travel and the power of the Internet allowed three generations of Irish and Australian Cousins to enjoy memories for a lifetime.
After 154 years...We met in Dundrum...at Tullamaine...at Ballyfowloo...to meet...to dine...to laugh...to sing...to dance...to honor our ancestors...an "Irish Wake" to celebrate their lives...and to look forward to our global future...a family once again.
