The Emerald Isle

I'm leaving for Ireland in a few days. When I return, I will finally be able to put this blog to good use. I created it so I could share pictures and stories of the Kilteasheen Archaeological Project along with any other adventures that might actually be of interest to...someone.

I leave from O'Hare on May 23rd and arrive in Dublin at 8:35 Friday morning. The project doesn't begin until Monday. This accident in scheduling has terrified my mother, but hopefully will pay off in the end.

My plan is to follow the advice of a Columbia brewmaster and head straight to the Porterhouse in the Temple Bar district. From there, I am going to rely on my waspy looks to get me through the rest of the weekend relatively unscathed. I'd like to send you all postcards and will if you'll give me your addresses. I promise that they'll be super-touristy and marked with a Guinness beer stain...for authenticity.

On May 26, I start work in Knockvicar, Co. Roscommon. The project focuses on a property right next to the river Shannon that has a long history dating back to the 13th century, if not earlier. Thus far, they have discovered the outlines of a church, the foundations of a small village and lots of human bones. Nerdy to the extreme...and awesome.

When I get back, on July 6, this blog will be flooded by pictures of crazy Irishmen, beautiful architecture (for Jodie) and dead people. Hopefully, there will be great stories to tell. I have no doubt that there will be lots of drinking, lots of getting dirty and lots of doing inappropriate things with human remains...when the director of the project isn't looking.

With that, I wish you all a lovely summer and leave you with some well-known Irish words of wisdom:

May your glass be ever full.
May the roof over your head be always strong.
And may you be in heaven
half an hour before the devil knows you're dead.

and just one more:

"Geographically, Ireland is a medium-sized rural island that is slowly but steadily being consumed by sheep."--Dave Barry


Bye!

P.S. I promise, no more angry posts about creeps behaving badly.