Ashford Castle

...is almost eight hundred years old. Originally an English lord's home, it passed through many hands. Each owner expanded the castle until it was purchased by a group of hotel developers. It has become a world-famous five-star hotel and has had many celebrities visit, including John Wayne and Maureen O'harra.

The rooms were great, and the dinner was wonderful. Mom and Grandma had Chef's Choice...a seven course meal with each dish picked by the Chef. Kristen had duck with a berry sauce, and I had delicious orange raffy (roughy). Kristen was very prim and proper, and mom's freewheeling nature and my stupid wisecracks apparently embarrased her. She didn't laugh at all during dinner, instead turning her head to the left and smirking a bit. Weird, but whatever.

After dinner we went down to the castle's Dungeon Bar, where a local artist sang and played traditional Irish tunes as well as some American folk hits ("The Boxer" by Simon and Garfunkel comes to mind). He invited Mom and Kristen to sing, but they showed their true colors and begged off.

The next day Grandma had a massage while Kristen and Mom went riding. I slept in, then geeked out with some dial-up Internet access in the Business Center. I toured the expansive grounds, and found a new friend in a small terrier. After a great lunch (I had a blackened fish on a bagel) we headed out. Too bad really; I could get used to living like that.

Note: This is where we spent the night of the 24th. The pictures were not taken until the next day.