To Ireland With Love
- Shannon Malloy McCrary
- 8 minutes ago
- 3 min read
In honor of St. Patrick’s day I’m doing things a little differently on the blog today and sharing some of my favorite memories of visiting Ireland.
The first time I went was in 2019 for my dad’s 70th birthday. We stayed in Temple Bar and although it is touristy, it’s still magical. The cobblestone streets visited Mom in her dreams (still giggling about that, Mom!) and flowers decorated the buildings right out of a storybook. We toured the Guinness factory and took a bus trip down the coast. I got to sit up front with the bus driver and heard all about different filming locations while marveling at the incredible view. Dad and I climbed a rope bridge to see water so blue, it didn’t seem real. The Giant’s Causeway took my breath away. And the Cliffs of Moher-they were marvelous, but so cold! I thought the wind might blow me away. We ended the bus trip in Galway for a few hours and it captured my heart unexpectedly. My parents and I were wandering the streets when we saw a sign for a bookstore: Charlie Byrne’s. It would become my favorite bookstore in the world. There’s something enchanting about it that I won’t share here. It’s something you can’t put into words-and I’m a writer! I knew that this town would stay with me throughout my life. Our last great adventure was spent looking for Enya’s castle which ended in a multiple mile hike and surprise, no castle in sight. But we giggled and reminisced, feeling proud to be Irish. I knew after coming home that I’d always leave a piece of my heart in Ireland.
Four years later, I had the opportunity to bring my husband back to my favorite place. We’d planned a European vacation and worked in three days to spend in Ireland. We spent the first one strolling the streets of Dublin before indulging in a Guinness and finishing at the Jamieson distillery. This was Ryan’s favorite part of the trip and watching him get so excited was a highlight for me. Then, it was time to take the train to Galway. I hoped that it would live up to my memories with a swirl of anticipation in my stomach.
The magic welcomed us home when we arrived in Galway. It was cold and a little rainy as we wandered the streets, through a farmer’s market full of art and out to the sea. We shopped for authentic Irish wool sweaters and giggled while striking poses in our options. I was giddy by the time we made it to the book shop. Standing outside the store, it felt like seeing an old friend. I could have spent the rest of our trip there but was content to buy a few books and hope that one day I’d return once again.
After the best lobster of my life, we sat down in a pub to listen to live music. When they played Sweet Home Alabama, the anthem of Ryan’s college, we shouted along and even garnered the singer’s attention, who replied “you’re welcome from Alabama!” Our hearts were alive and I got to share it with my best friend. I still marvel in how beautiful that is.
I'm thankful for my Irish heritage. Thankful that I can feel so connected to a place even if I'm thousands of miles away. Thankful to God for creating me just like this and knowing that my heart would long for a little Irish town and that he would honor that in unexpected ways in my life. Grateful for the trips I've taken and the ones to come. Grateful, thankful, blessed.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day from this Irish girl with part of her heart still living in Galway. As the old Irish blessing goes:
“May the roads rise up to met you,
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
the rain fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.”
I think the Irish knew that they were talking about.
With love,
Shannon M.
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