Overnight in Slane- The best meal on our trip so far!

Well that is apart from mary O'Donovans home in Bantry. Quite possibly the worst sleep for me however with the Chinese Water Torture water drip in the Ceiling and Bono's cock hen blooding screeching at 3am and then the beloved betrothed chainsawing trees down in his sleep through his nose.....I was ready to kill.

But! We did have the best meal and fun time the night before drinking argentinian wine and sampling stunning food as the pictures show. we then went to a local pub and got slaughtered with the locals watching the World heavy Weight fight, stumbled home about 1.00am where Marty decided it would be hilarious to plank outside the Garda Station.

Our blog might describe a lot of eating, drinking and frivolity and indeed we may need a period of detoxification when we get home. But we have also embarked on getting to know this country which we have both loved. I have tracked down two current institutions which are still operating with around 300 people in each of them. because of the economic climate currently, deinstitutionalisation has sadly halted. In fact, a period of restructuring services to sustain viability is underway. The disability sector is enduring very similar circumstances and advocacy issues as New Zealand.


Today is our last day in Ireland, and I am grateful that we leave from Dublin. This is a beautiful and dynamic city which hums along at a cracking pace. There is evidence of an economic downturn in all parts of the city, but the attitude and hospitality of the Dubliners is unique and upbeat. They welcome tourists and cater superbly for them.