I’ve Found Me Lucky Charm
So I left Austin last Wednesday, it is 104 degrees, and spent a full twelve hours in route to Ireland where the temperature (upon my arrival) is a cool 66 degrees.
I land early in the morning to a true Irish welcome. My driver awaits to bring me to the hotel, it has just rained, and it is partly cloudy with a beautiful rainbow filling the sky. As the plane made its approach into Shannon (west coast of Ireland) the hills were an emerald green with visible property demarcation lines created by hedges planted at the turn of the century. It was remarkable.
I was whisked away to a magical hotel in a town called Adare. The village (and golf course – Adare Manor - http://www.adaregolfclub.com/) is home to the Irish Open Golf Championships. Adare is a medieval town located near Limerick Ireland. Yes, this is the town that the poem is named after.
There once was a man from Nantucket… Ok, so I won’t continue, but I am sure you can fill in the rest.
I spent most of my time in meetings, but I did get to explore around a little and enjoy a wonderful game of golf on a world-class course. It rained the majority of the time I was there, but it certainly did not stop me from enjoying a pint (or two) of Guinness.
King John’s island is a perfectly intact, medieval fortress that sits in the midst of Limerick. I took in the sites and did some shopping. It was a quaint city with pubs on every corner, but the thing that I most enjoyed about Ireland was its people. The people are funny, warm and really enjoy life. The pubs were also a great experience. There was live music until all hours, football or rugby playing on the tele, and a great conversation to be had with the locals.
I have to say that I am ecstatic that my company has a manufacturing plant in Ireland… It will prove to be my lucky charm (for my next trip).