Going Home

We woke to a foggy morning in Tarmonbarry to pack up and leave our harbor home. It was absolutely lovely here and a wonderful home base for our time at the Fleadh this year. Packing up was stressful as usual and the final packing up of any trip is always sad which makes it even harder.

We hit the road to return the cars to Carlow by way of Athlone. Athlone is a super cool, medieval town. The streets are TINY and parking was definitely tricky. We walked down by the River Shannon a bit and saw the

castle from the outside—it was closed though. The nearby church of Sts. Peter and Paul is beautiful as well.

We knew that we needed to get food so I did a quick Google search and Fish and Loaves was the first place that popped up and it looked great. We walked over and got a table outside and it ended up being one of the best meals—if not THE best meal—we had on this trip. The server was fabulous and the food was amazing. If you ever find yourself in Athlone, have a meal at Fish and Loaves.

The only problem was that it took a bit longer than we had anticipated. We enjoyed every second of the meal. . .but now we had to rush to return the cars and catch the 4:10 train in Carlow. Of course we got stuck behind slow drivers, and of course we had to stop and get gas. . .and of course, right as we were about to turn on to the street that the train station was on we ended up behind—I kid you not—a FUNERAL PROCESSION. People walking behind a hearse and blocking the entire street. We couldn’t believe it.

Jay pulled up to the train station dumped out me, the girls, and ALL of our stuff, and sped off for the Toyota dealer to return the car. He met Dad and Chapin there (they had already dropped off Mom) and very kindly the lady at the desk at Toyota offered to drive them back to the train station.

They made it back with 4 minutes to spare. . .but that turned into 24 as the train was delayed by 20 minutes. That was totally fine as it gave us time to catch our breath.

The train ride was pleasant but the train was very full. And then there was the pasta situation. Gwen and Ellie had some delicious pasta for lunch but couldn’t possibly eat it all. So we tried to save it to eat for dinner at the

hotel. But it leaked. . .and soaked through the bottom of the big white paper bag that mom had all of our remaining snacks in. So there she was, on the full train, having a total Nana moment. If she kept the pasta and the bag, she risked picking it up and the bottom totally falling out. The attendant found her situation rather amusing so he took pity on her and brought her a giant trash bag to put all of the snacks in and then he took the paper bag. And the pasta had to go. So sad.

Otherwise it was an uneventful train ride and Uber to the hotel near the airport. We would have had to pay extra in the hotel if we wanted air conditioning—and it was a whopping 70 degrees out during the day—so our rooms were a bit stuffy but that must have just been to get us acclimated to the heat and humidity of home again.

Early in the morning we left for the airport. We travelled for about 23 hours to get home but it all went smoothly with only minor delays.

This trip has been a dream. We all know how fortunate we have been to have this experience. It’s hard to wrap my head around it being over. For someone who didn’t even

get to travel Internationally until my mid-twenties, I still can’t believe that my girls have now already travelled and competed in music Internationally. Gwen looked at me on our first flight home and said “you know, I would be more sad to leave if I didn’t think that we were coming back.” So I asked her and Ellie if they want to come back to Ireland and do it again and both of them wholeheartedly said "YES!" So who knows, maybe we’ll be back.

I've kept this journal to have a space to record all the moments I'm sure I would forget if I didn't write every day, to have a way for friends and family to follow along from back home, and to easily have a printed memory book.

And if we go back, it most likely will not be with this same group of 7. We made some absolutely amazing memories together.

Grateful beyond belief for the opportunity to take this trip, we came home to pleasant temperatures and a dry basement after missing the worst summer weather weeks in the St. Louis area in many, many years.

I don't even know how to wrap up this journal other than

with gratitude. We'll be forever grateful to:

Helen Gannon and everyone at St. Louis Irish Arts for the opportunity to study the Traditional Irish Arts.

Eimear Arkins for amazing instruction, support, and love of our daughters.

Our SLIA friends for the laughs, fun, and for making this journey with us.

Mom and Dad for coming along for the ride, supporting Gwen and Ellie, and for all of the amazing behind the scenes help from doing dishes, to chauffeuring, to making meals...

Elise and Stephen for letting us steal Chapin for nearly half a month and for the logistical travel help

The Irish people for being so friendly and welcoming.

The McKenneys, Gwen and Brett, and the Hagins for keeping an eye on everything back home while we were halfway across the world.

and to God, for everything.