Aaron & Marianne's Website

Eire... Ireland
During the summer of 1996, I left my girlfriend, Marianne, all my friends, family, jobs and belongings, to travel to Ireland, with plans to be there for a four month working-vacation. My plan was to touch-down in Dublin, meet-up with my good friend Cíarán, and immediately travel west to the city of Galway; I hadn't gone to see the city life, I wanted to mix with the Gaelic culture. My intention was to find a job, find a room, and work and live amongst the people and culture of Galway. All the while, I planned to take trips on the weekends, or when I could afford it, to bike around Ireland and see all that I could see in four months. As the saying goes, the best made plans... I made it to Ireland okay, Cíarán was late at the airport (but of no fault of his!), we took the "express" drive to Galway (setting land speed records all the way!!), and managed to find a great youth hostel for the night. All good so far! Then I started looking for a job. Two weeks after all the lads came home from school and took them all... I ended up working as a cook for probably the most miserable woman I have ever met. It was going to be a long four months... Not so. After two months there (and having had the back tire of my beloved bicycle stolen!), I decided I had had enough of Galway, and that I would rent a car and drive across country to Dublin and work my last two months there. By the time I reached Dublin, I actually decided that I had had enough of being alone in a foreign land, and I was going home. I cut my trip short, finagled my way onto a flight from Dublin to Heathrow, slept in Heathrow that night and bribed my way onto a Virgin Airline flight home. And I was glad to be home...

Galway Bay at high tide. The pier from the photo above is just to the right of the last yellow house on the right. Now the lad can jump!
Kylemore Abbey, located in County Connemara, near Joyce Country, was originally built as a resort home, complete with it's own chapel. It now serves as a nunnery. The grounds are beautiful and, as do so many shots in Ireland, magnificent, deep photos practically fall into your camera.
The castle in the previous photo overlooks this river. It just looks like a painting.
During my drive across the land, this was one of the many castles I had to stop and photograph. Perched upon a river embankment, it just looks so regal.
The Blarney Castle, home to the Blarney Stone. Those who kiss the Blarney Stone are said to gain the gift of eloquence. Which is a bit of a spin-doctor on the origin of the term, "that's a bunch of blarney!" The original Blarney (count, lord, whatever...), was known for speaking such malarkey (bullshit), that he eventually became known country-wide, and even as far off as England, as someone whom you could put no faith in their words. Thus, when someone is said to be "saying a load of blarney," it's certainly not having the gift of eloquence that they are being accused of. I chose not to kiss.
The magnificent Cliffs of Moher. An awe inspiring view. I believe the drop was 500+ feet. Any takers? Located on the west coast of Ireland, you are looking out at the Atlantic Ocean. There is an old, whats-left-of-a castle at the top. I don't imagine they got much trouble from this side.
One weekend, when my youth hostel was completely full and could not keep me, I trekked off to the center of Ireland to a town called Athlone. Beautiful city and tremendously nice people (except those folks at the pub just beside the old castle - rude f*&#s). Had a great time, nonetheless. The gentleman that runs the Athlone Youth Hostel is TREMENDOUS
This shot was taken inside a place called Bunratty Castle, which is a sort of real life historical site; all the people dress in period outfits and speak period lingo. This shot is of a blacksmith's house and shoppe, and has a beautiful sun beam bouncing off the roof. It probably doesn't come-off all that well here...
Upon arrival on one of the Aran Islands, this gent was kind enough to allow me take his photo. Doesn't he just look the part? The Aran Islands have a great history; truly Irish. They were first settled by Gaels that were running from the Saxons or Norms, couldn't tell you which at this point. They fled Galway on rafts, knowing that the islands were out there, but not knowing what they were like. The folks were, I'm sure, a little more than dismayed when they found the islands to be nothing more than rock. Nothing more. No grass, no trees. They began making soil, using seaweed and driftwood found on the shores. They began collecting all the rocks that littered the place and creating homes and walls to keep their livestock gathered. Through time, they've continued to eek-out a livelihood there, and the folks of the Aran Islands are today a truly gracious host to the many visitors they receive daily. Only, do me a favor, please, and don't be like the stupid group of kids I had to chase-off from throwing rocks at the people's cattle. Thanks.
Another sight I passed everyday en route to work. This is once again the River Corrib, as it winds it's way through Galway. Quite lovely, what?
This shot was taken from the island of Inishmore, one of the Aran Islands off the coast of Galway. During the ferry ride out to the islands, a dolphin, apparently a regular feature on this ride as I happened to read in a National Geographic article, rode our wake for most of the trip.

Thanks for visiting,
Aaron & Marianne...

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	Galway Bay at high tide. The pier from the photo above is just to the right of the last yellow house on the right. Now the lad can jump!
	Kylemore Abbey, located in County Connemara, near Joyce Country, was originally built as a resort home, complete with it's own chapel. It now serves as a nunnery. The grounds are beautiful and, as do so many shots in Ireland, magnificent, deep photos practically fall into your camera.
	The castle in the previous photo overlooks this river. It just looks like a painting.
	During my drive across the land, this was one of the many castles I had to stop and photograph. Perched upon a river embankment, it just looks so regal.
	The Blarney Castle, home to the Blarney Stone. Those who kiss the Blarney Stone are said to gain the gift of eloquence. Which is a bit of a spin-doctor on the origin of the term, "that's a bunch of blarney!" The original Blarney (count, lord, whatever...), was known for speaking such malarkey (bullshit), that he eventually became known country-wide, and even as far off as England, as someone whom you could put no faith in their words. Thus, when someone is said to be "saying a load of blarney," it's certainly not having the gift of eloquence that they are being accused of. I chose not to kiss.
	The magnificent Cliffs of Moher. An awe inspiring view. I believe the drop was 500+ feet. Any takers? Located on the west coast of Ireland, you are looking out at the Atlantic Ocean. There is an old, whats-left-of-a castle at the top. I don't imagine they got much trouble from this side.
	One weekend, when my youth hostel was completely full and could not keep me, I trekked off to the center of Ireland to a town called Athlone. Beautiful city and tremendously nice people (except those folks at the pub just beside the old castle - rude f*&#s). Had a great time, nonetheless. The gentleman that runs the Athlone Youth Hostel is TREMENDOUS
	This shot was taken inside a place called Bunratty Castle, which is a sort of real life historical site; all the people dress in period outfits and speak period lingo. This shot is of a blacksmith's house and shoppe, and has a beautiful sun beam bouncing off the roof. It probably doesn't come-off all that well here...
	Upon arrival on one of the Aran Islands, this gent was kind enough to allow me take his photo. Doesn't he just look the part? The Aran Islands have a great history; truly Irish. They were first settled by Gaels that were running from the Saxons or Norms, couldn't tell you which at this point. They fled Galway on rafts, knowing that the islands were out there, but not knowing what they were like. The folks were, I'm sure, a little more than dismayed when they found the islands to be nothing more than rock. Nothing more. No grass, no trees. They began making soil, using seaweed and driftwood found on the shores. They began collecting all the rocks that littered the place and creating homes and walls to keep their livestock gathered. Through time, they've continued to eek-out a livelihood there, and the folks of the Aran Islands are today a truly gracious host to the many visitors they receive daily. Only, do me a favor, please, and don't be like the stupid group of kids I had to chase-off from throwing rocks at the people's cattle. Thanks.
	Another sight I passed everyday en route to work. This is once again the River Corrib, as it winds it's way through Galway. Quite lovely, what?
	This shot was taken from the island of Inishmore, one of the Aran Islands off the coast of Galway. During the ferry ride out to the islands, a dolphin, apparently a regular feature on this ride as I happened to read in a National Geographic article, rode our wake for most of the trip.