Ireland 2022

Back in 2019 Who could, would have foreseen The changes that Covid Had on how we all lived

Then we’d been to Ireland And our next trip there planned Set the dates for ‘20 But ’twasn’t meant to be

Reviewed in ‘21 Some things hadn’t begun So we thought we would wait That trip anticipate

After 2.5 years Ireland finally nears Tho’ there was some delay In our getting away…

At Chelt’n’am we did spot A fox o’er the track trot And then in Birmingham Were new stops for their tram

Onwards then we were sped Through Wales to Holyhead Past an airfield where we found Two Red Arrows on the ground

At the start of that day It had been dank and grey But after the ferry’s queue We found a sky of blue

We’re glad the shipping forecast Said the calm weather would last So after nautical mile Landed on the Emerald Isle

Yes, we were arrivin’ At the port of Dublin Outside to a bus stop To the city a short hop

Thence walked to find our room And get food for tea - soon Next day a short wander To the station - Drumcondra

On the platform at Pearse Was a seagull quite fierce Off the stand he did frisk An unopened pack of crisps

Next we did tarry forth Across the border, up north So many bales of hay They’ll soon take away

Belfast we did explore Ulster museum and more Buildings so grandiose Views – we made the most

Next day, Whitehead for a ride However, they’d not supplied Enough steam, which then made Our trip slightly delayed

Once we got to Coleraine We could not get a train To Damhead’s mini railway Taxi was the best way

On Sunday lots of hills From the bus to Bushmills Then onto the tramway Towards the Giant’s Causeway

We then walked to the rock Following the rest of the flock People are the main blight On this world heritage site

For a bus settled to wait Turned out it was just late Later as we did alight Phil got an awful fright

Seems as we’d left the stop Phil his mobile did drop ‘twas too late to go back And try his phone to track

That night in east Belfast We were right under the flight path That said, it wasn’t that loud Compared to the later crowd…

Fields were a luscious green But much rain we’d not seen In fact, at times, it got To be surprisingly hot!

Then to Dromod we did come For Cavan-Leitrim museum We all rode their pump trolley Which we found quite jolly

Up the track to Sligo The train seemed to go slow But we ate and slept well At the Riverside Hotel

Next morning in the river We espied an angler Then it came on to rain So we hurried for the train

Three hours down to Dublin Where we would be lunchin’ The weather then was set fair For our ride to Rosslare

RTA caused a jam At the stop stayed the tram Not one could go eastbound For they could not get round

At Wexford we’d a treat The trains run through the street No fence there to restrain The people from the train

Someone had a great thought On the garage forecourt A huge washing machine To help get your clothes clean

The time passed by so quick Next went to Limerick There found lots of flags up Ready for some sporting cup

Two nights we did afford At the port of Waterford At a proper B&B Ate enough to last till tea

We rode the Sunset Express With river views to impress And, before, a serenade Singing and music played

We were within easy reach Of Tramore and its beach So we went to the seaside Played mini golf, had a train ride

After that spotted a sign To Ireland’s Museum of Time Where they had clocks galore Watches, organs and more

The streets of Dublin were thick With the fans from Lim’rick And opponents Kilkenny We’d ne’er seen so many

It turns out that hurling In Ireland’s a big thing Hence it was a busy day Both teams playing away

For little did we know To Croke Park they’d all go Yes, where they were to play Was right by our night’s stay

An infant shouted with glee At what they now could see Lots and lots of “moo cows” Out of the window, wow!

And we saw orange sheep So farmers knew which to keep Googly eyes in a tree Which did quite amuse me

We saw walls made of stone A castle at Athlone And just for a foray Popped over to Galway

But I really can’t write About each and every sight And ‘tis suffice to say We were busy whilst away

Bright and early we arose As a walk to the ferry we’d chose At least we definitely beat The worst of the days’ heat

Soon we were afloat Irish Ferries ‘little’ boat This trip should be quicker Stop Phil feeling sicker

It got increasingly hot The nearer home we got Trains ran at reduced speed If they ran at all, indeed!

Meanwhile after we got home So did the missing phone - After two days trying Someone answered the ring

The lady had that day found The lost phone on the ground Then we exchanged detail So it to us she could mail

Thus our trip came to an end As homeward our way did wend As you can probably tell Most things went off pretty well

We were glad we had been And lots of things had seen But we may go another time To travel the Nenagh line!