For the purposes of this writing exercise, I’m choosing to interpret “holiday” as a vacation v. a day of celebration. And while longer, I didn’t feel this piece had enough stakes to qualify as a true Moth-style story or even a Mini-Slice.

It was the lead-up to the celebration of our 10^th anniversary and we had been exploring options for a holiday to commemorate it.  We considered the Czech Republic or even another visit to Spain.  But Ireland ranked high on the list and people who’d been there seemed to consistently share these epic stories – not just about the gorgeous scenery or incredible pub scene, but it seemed to run deeper.  We locked it in and negotiated childcare for our two little ones, 5 and (almost) 2.

During this stage we’d been in the throes of parenting and working demanding jobs.  Trying to be successful and sometimes feeling overwhelmed by what that meant.  Feeling the weight of sacrifice and the constant longing for more: more time, more money, more energy… But somehow during the previous year, I had managed to get in the best shape of my life.  After a sort of “come to Jesus” moment around 9-months after giving birth to my second child, when I stood on a scale in the bathroom at my in-laws, and watched the dial climb up to 196… I had made a commitment to myself to get my weight under control.  Exercise became a way to balance out my “net calories” in the food diary app I was using, and I did a “Couch to 5K program,” and then joined a few classes at our local YMCA.  Eventually I lost around 45 pounds and was able to complete a 10K in around 8.5-minute miles.  But most important, I felt incredible, more confident and healthier than I could remember.

We flew from Chicago direct to Dublin: Tim, me, and the wine-check bag: essentially a red, padded, canvas bag that you could use to check a case of wine for traveling.  We had gained a passion for wine years before, while living (briefly) in the San Francisco Bay.  And part of the ideal holiday, involved having the ideal wine.

We had arrived in the early morning hours and navigated to our accommodations in Dublin to start our adventure.  Fighting off jet lag, we enjoyed those first few days in the bustling and historic capital city, taking in the Book of Kells in the jaw-dropping library at Trinity College and the tour of the Guinness Storehouse, with its astounding views from the Gravity Bar (and yes, Guinness does taste better in Ireland.  Just facts.). 

But mostly we felt that sense of true freedom and adventure and energy… 8 days of exploring ahead.  No kids or work or responsibilities, very little predetermined agenda, and one-on-one time with each other.  We felt like giddy children before Christmas morning, embracing all the sights and sounds and pints and pastry shops.  Already blessed with the “gift of gab,” Tim and I connected with another couple while enjoying pints in the Gravity Bar after our Guinness tour.  This couple was likely 15 years our seniors, but we’ve always had a diverse group of friends, spanning ages and walks of life – and they seemed like our people.  We parted ways feeling filled and content, in all the ways possible: light buzz, human connection, optimism for the rest of our days in this lovely country.

From Dublin we rented a mini cooper (wine cube consuming the entire back seat) and drove off to explore the West coast.  Our 10K hike at the Cliffs of Moher will forever go down as one of my favourite all-time adventures.  It was October, but we were experiencing the most incredible weather and we hiked along the beautiful cliffs, through fields where we crossed paths with roaming horses and eventually to the tower at Hags Head.  We were quickly smitten with Ireland and its beauty.

In Dingle we rented bicycles and biked the entire peninsula.  Another incredible way of exploring and embracing the scenery.  Chatting with sheep and exploring an old scenic cemetery.  Graves of moss-covered Celtic crosses and even a historic, holed wedding stone, where we did an impromptu renewal of our vows and felt a kismet sense of belonging: to each other and this beautiful planet.

On this biking adventure, we stopped briefly at a small museum and café, where we ran into the exact same couple we’d connected with at that Gravity Bar in Dublin.  Another positive sign of connection and community that the universe served us.  We laughed and talked before continuing on our way.  As a final stop before we returned the bicycles, Tim had found a small, independent brewery on the map.  We navigated to this hole-in-the-wall farmhouse shed with a small sign out front.  We cautiously walked toward the structure and ran into the brewer himself.  Tim was interested in brewing, having read several books on the topic, and they enjoyed a discussion about this Irishman’s brewing set-up and process.  We loaded a few bottles of craft beer into our day packs and continued on.

Later that afternoon, following a small picnic of bread, wine and cheese, we did a short hike along the Dingle Harbor, keeping an eye out for Fungie, the Dingle Bay Dolphin.  This was a legend we’d been acquainted with after my in-laws gave a picture book on the subject to our children.  We didn’t see Fungie, but the views were still incredible.  A discussion with a local fisherman, led Tim to learn even more about his ancestry, somehow ending with a humorous story involving Pierce Brosnan’s father.

At one point, I came up with the genius idea that Tim and I should get matching tattoos to commemorate our 10^th anniversary.  Tim was supportive of the idea but smarter in his approach, suggesting we enjoy our time exploring and promising we would make it happen, if I was still in love with the idea, after our return.  I was, and we did.

Our final night we stayed at a small B&B in Trim, less than an hour from the Dublin airport.  We felt a deep connection to generations past while grabbing a pint in (one of) Ireland’s oldest pubs, where they were burning peat in fireplace and the regulars at the bar spoke with such thick accents it sounded like an entirely new language.  In the morning hours, we awoke for a short jog through the dense fog, already feeling the pangs of longing for this country we had fallen in love with.

We arrived at the airport refreshed and were very confused when the gate agent declined our check-in attempt.  It was around 90 minutes prior to our boarding time.  What was the problem?  As it turns out (and for future reference, if ever flying out of Dublin – or Toronto for that matter), you have to clear security and U.S. Customs before you head to your gate.  This is a lengthy process.  And so on this expected return date, we were given a final gift.  We had to stay one last night in Dublin, receiving seats on the same flight, but the following day.

After a bit of a scramble to extend our childcare arrangement and find accommodations, we soaked up the last bits of lovely fall weather, enjoying another picnic in a park dedicated to Oscar Wilde and even strolling through the National Gallery of Ireland.  We arrived early to the airport and traveled home without issue.  But the magic and awe and beauty and connection we felt in Ireland still leave us with a deep desire to return again.

Brief Facebook video of our bike ride around the Dingle peninsula.