Well, I was back to work just shy of two weeks after the American wedding when the festivities began again! The first guests (my mom, aunt Paulette, my mom's cousin, Pat and her husband, Tom) arrived on Thursday the 6th. My friend Molly arrived on Sunday the 9th, and my mom, Paulette, Molly, and I travelled around the south of Ireland for a couple of days- Cashel, Blarney, Waterford, and Kilkenny. A few more arrived (my friends Sara and Kyle, Meghan and Lauri, my dad, uncle Byron, and cousin Heather) over the next few days, and everyone was in Louisburgh, County Mayo (Paul's hometown) by Thursday the 13th.
Below are Meghan, Sara, and Kyle in one of the pubs in Louisburgh on Thursday night.
The Americans took a mini-bus tour of the area around Louisburgh on Friday, then Paul's parents hosted a great meal for everyone!
Paul, Meghan, Pat, Heather, Tom, my mom, Molly, and Lauri after dinner
PJ (Paul's dad), my dad, Brian (Paul's sister's fiance), Bridget (Paul's mom), my aunt Paulette, and my uncle Byron
Saturday was the big day for the Irish reception. We spent most of the day relaxing and getting ready, and the guests started to arrive at the hotel (The West View Hotel in Louisburgh) around 7pm. The meal was served around 8pm, and the first entertainment, a "one man band" played from 10pm-1am. THEN the dj started! He finished around 2:30, and everyone mingled until 4!
My hair- it took her quite a few tries to get the comb to stay in this time since I cut most of my hair off after the Minnesota wedding!
The West View Hotel Dining Room all ready for the reception
The Menu
Molly and Me
Half of the head table- Martin, Marie, Dermot, and Molly
The other half of the head table- Paul, Mike, David, and Sean
Cutting the cake- we broke the knife!
The last dance of the night- "Love is in the Air". Everyone formed a circle around us while we danced.
And, to end the evening, the Irish National Anthem (played at the end of all dances/events/discos)!
The next morning on the balcony of our hotel room. Paul was so excited to stay in the hotel in Louisburgh!
Everyone started to fly back to Minnesota on Sunday, and the last guests flew out on Wednesday the 19th (I also went back to work that day). I can't thank everyone enough for joining us for take two!
This past weekend, Paul and I took another "mini-moon" as our Christmas gift to each other. We spent two nights in a hotel in County Leitrim, a two hour drive north and west of here. We got to the hotel on Friday around 5pm, and I didn't step foot outside until when we left on Sunday! The weather was cold and rainy, so it was perfect for sleeping, reading, watching a bit of tv, getting a massage, and enjoying good food! It was so nice just to relax and do nothing after a busy month and a half!
I want to wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving, and enjoy a piece of pumpkin pie for me!
Grafton Street- it says "Nollag Shona Duit" which is Merry Christmas in Irish. There are chandeliers with strings of twinkling white lights all up and down the street- beautiful!
