Our Trip to Ireland


Page 2 of 4
September 5-13, 1996
By Mary Louise Parsons



September 8th - Up at 6:30a.m. Had breakfast with a couple from Yorkshire, England. They had been to the west coast of Ireland where they met their grown children for a holiday. They said the West Coast was beautiful! Ray remembered that he had seen a reference to Tullansky Park in his research. We stopped at the Historical Center (in the Castle Restaurant building) to inquire. Were told that there is a Tullanisk House about 1 1/2 miles out of town. So we drove there. On the side of the road, while driving, we saw small trailers with wash hanging out, evidently belonging to temporary harvesters At Tullanisk House, George Gossip came out to greet us. He said the place had been Tullanisk Park and that Rev. William Parsons had lived there. He was very busy, he said (the horse show judges were staying there), but he took us on a short tour, showing us a bedroom and dining room and living room. We asked about reservations for tomorrow - we will call him. The house is really quite a mansion! Went to Birr Castle, and walked around the grounds where we had not been before. Lovely! Ate a hamburger (Ray) and a hot dog (me) from the vendor at the horse show. At 2:30 went to Exhibition Hall on the grounds, where we spent an hour copying genealogical history pictured on a wall. We left after 3:30 to take in a dog-jumping show on the Castle grounds. It was hilarious! There were mostly children and their dogs entered. The adults that ran the show were in costumes, and their "dogs" were homemade stuffed rags which they dragged around on a "lease". The children took it very seriously, and one 4-year old and his small poodle were the very best! We left to sign-in at Spinner's Town House (one of the B&B's Lord Rosse had suggested), then took a walk through town. Decided to have lamb for supper and asked at a couple restaurants, but no lamb! Lots of American food - pizza, fajitas, lasagna, etc. Finally, after asking at Dooley's Hotel Restaurant we were told they had lamb chops, so we ate a delicious meal there. Walked back to Spinner's where I finished writing postcards. Ray wanted to walk for Scotch tape (his computer papers were falling apart). On our walk home we stopped at the "Family Restaurant" for fudge sundaes. The soft ice cream seemed all cream, but not quite as sweet as ours - delicious! The restaurant was brightly lit with pictures of Mickey Mouse, Minnie and Donald Duck drawn on one wall. It was like a fast foods place at home - and, we had noticed, always crowded! Can't help but think how America is changing this country - perhaps all countries!

September 9th, Monday - We were ready for breakfast at 8a.m., but the host came to the door only after he heard us putting suitcases in the car. We arrived at the castle gate about 9:15 and called to the gate-keeper. A gentleman called the castle and we were on our way. The butler let us in the front door and led us to the Muniment Room (the Archives). Boxes and boxes of records! A bit overwhelming! But Lord Rosse came within a few minutes, turned on the light and explained the order of the boxes. We worked for about 3 hours. Lord Rosse returned and gave us permission to return. We walked to town and stopped at the men's store for Ray to buy a pair of trousers - on sale for 15 pounds. Then we walked down the street to a furniture store where we had seen a bronze sculpture of a shoemaker in the window. When asked the price, the proprietor replied "50 et 50". After repeating it at our request, Ray asked "what is the et?" THEN, I recognized that it must be eight! I was right - 58.50 pounds! We bought it, and the gentleman said we would get the tax returned at the airport - about $9.00. (We did) Stopped for lunch at a bakery in town - lamb and potato pie with scone of whipped cream and sliced orange for dessert. Desserts are not sweet here, much like Germany and Switzerland. Stopped at the Post to mail cards. Then called Tullanisk House for the night's reservation. Returned to the castle and worked until 5p.m. Lady Rosse came to greet us after we started work. VERY nice couple! When we left the gate, the keeper said we were welcome to return anytime! George Gossip, the host, greeted us at Tullanisk House. We chose a bedroom without the bath because the sun was streaming in the large windows and it was very pleasant. I later discovered that a picture of our room was in their brochure. We took a long walk in the woods. At one point, a car passed/stopped on the dirt road - it was George and 2 others. Said they were going to pick mushrooms for dinner. t>
Dinner was at 8p.m. -
Terrine (?) - a pork mixture
Monk fish with mushrooms - delicious! Tasted like lobster
Boiled potatoes, spinach, zucchini, green beans
Cheese and crackers - I had blue cheese
A chocolate pudding; Ray had meringue with kiwi
Coffee and herb tea (lemon-lime; very good)
The company was interesting. Twelve of us sat around the large dining room table. There was another Parsons - the 15th cousin of Lord Rosse, from Great Britain, and his grown daughter. Two couples from Germany, one gentleman from Australia, and a couple from Belfast, Ireland completed the picture. The couple from Belfast were charming, with a sense of humor. After she heard me introduced as "Mary Louise", she told me her name was "Louisea Mary". Her husband was Will. Ray was explaining his mother's family line going back 52 generations. "That adds up to a quadrillion people - so you know we're all related somewhere", he said. Immediately, Will piped up, "Then what are we fighting for?!" [In retrospect, this was one of the most memorable experiences we had. That night, everyone there was family - a unique experience. The bill came to 126 pounds but it was worth it, every bit!]


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