June 30

Our last full day in England and everyone is just relaxing. Some have begun to pack others are watching T.V. and some falling asleep in their chairs sitting in the garden passing time.

June 29

Today we are going to Blackpool, located on the Irish Sea, this is a summer resort town with all the things a resort town would have. Such as amusement rides, souvenirs shops and all the wrong foods to eat cotton candy, fish and chips, ice cream and so on. Not only is it my family but Katrina and her family are going, (23 + 3 babies) four cars and a van, a regular convoy. We left the house at 9:00am that was good for us, only a little more than an hour we arrive at Blackpool and easily find a parking spot right in front of the amusement. We all meet up at 4:30 pm to head back to Katrina’s house, tonight we are going to Tom’s house for dinner (Katrina’s oldest son).
Tom lives about a 20 minute ride from Katrina. His house was once a bank that he converted into his home. He did a great job, the building is a beautiful. Tonight I make it to midnight and have to go to bed. Good night.

June 28

All the running around seems to be catching up on everyone because nobody is moving too fast today. Just relaxing watching the ships pass by on the Mersey River. Later going to Kate’s for a barbeque. Kate is Katrina’s daughter or my second cousin. Good thing we are walking to all these functions or else we need a personal trainer when we get back to work all this food off.

June 27

The day starts out much like the others, working your way to one of the two bathrooms, rousing the kids so they don’t waste the day away in bed then making our way to the train back to Liverpool. MaryKate needs to pick up a few gifts for friends and Julie will go with her to rein her in from time to time. I have to say MaryKate is a good bargain shopper and I am going to the Maritime museum. Our Brendan and nephew Danny and Padraic are still in bed from a late night checking out some of the night life. The Maritime museum is a fascinating place, it had all about the history of the Liverpool shipping industry, along with history of how the port played an important role in World War II.
Tonight we are all going to Mass and then to my other cousins Esters house for another gathering. Once again the food is wonderful; no one goes away hungry, and its 1:00 am when we leave for our short walk home to bed.

June 26

Back to the train and to Liverpool to take a Ferry ride along the Mersey. The Ferry is a working Ferry, people still makes use of it to get from one side of the river to the other side of the river. It was fun, time to take in the sights and few photos of family and land marks
Katrina has plan for a family get together tonight, she has five children two of which have started their own families and my Mothers sister lives here in Liverpool, along with two other cousin (Katrina’s brother Jim and sister Ester, and their families). We end up with a house full. The parish Priest even stops by for a visit. Great time to catch up with my Aunt and cousins. This was a real eye opener for my children, they have heard the names but now they can put it all together. It’s been many years since we have all been together. Late night 1:00 am. Time for bed.

June 25

My cousin is the perfect host we awake to a great breakfast. She just runs herself ragged to make sure we have everything we need. The decision for the day is to head into Liverpool and do some sight seeing. The best method of transportation is the train system, everyone uses it. You can purchase a ticket good for the entire day which we do.
Once in Liverpool we make our way to the Albert Docks, this is the dock area along the Mersey River. There’s much to see and do, my family goes to the Beatle’s Museum the rest scatter, some go shopping others wonder around. We make plans to meet up later for the ride home.

June 24

The morning does not start well. My sister Colette comes and wakes me to say we have no water. I realize we are on a well system so I go and check to make sure a fuse has not tripped. All the fuses are fine, by this point everyone is beginning to stir and looking for water to brush their teeth, get washed, or use the bathroom no luck. My brother Eamon is outside looking around to see if anything was overlooked and runs into a neighbor who lives there year round. He says the water comes from a pump on the other side of the mountain and he also has no water. He says from time to time this happens and it shouldn’t be long for the water to come back on. Time we don’t have, so get everyone moving luggage in the car, last minute clean up and we are on our way to the airport. The ride is about an hour and half, drop everyone off with the luggage and Colette, Eamon and myself take the cars back to the rental agency which is off site. How we find our way back to car rental I’ll never know, pure luck. This will be the last of our luck. We arrive back at the airport to meet up with everyone with time to spare. As our boarding time approaches we are informed that there is a strict weight and size requirement for our luggage. The plane we are flying is a smaller Prop style which holds about 35 people. The excitement begins, first to check in is Shelia, and she has one bag is over by a few Kg. she throws out a pair of shoes and feminine products and she is good. Eamon goes next and he has to pay for an extra bag because of the weight. Colette, Pop and I make it through with no problems.
The plane ride from Belfast to Liverpool is 50 minutes. As the plane takes off we pass over the Harland and Wolff ship building yard. This is where the Titanic was built. As we fly over the ship yard you can see the enormous dry docks and just imagine the many ships that were constructed here. Belfast in its heyday was once the largest ship builder in the world. Still in business but not with the vigor of time gone bye.
At the Manchester airport we collect our belongings and find our way to rental car. We a little maneuvering we find it. Colette, Eamon and I go inside leave all the rest with the luggage. At the counter we find out that the cars we had reserved are gone. The person behind the counter informs us that we were scheduled to pick up the cars at 12:00 pm and it is now 7:00 pm so another agency needed them and the cars were released to them thinking we were not coming. (I told you our luck ran out) Here we are at Manchester airport without any mode of transportation. After some funny looks back and forth we needed to figure how we are getting to my cousins house in Liverpool. The rental agency had one car that came back in so my sister Colette and Pop would take that with as much luggage as possible, we would take a train into Liverpool with the rest of the luggage..
So we gather everyone and make our way to the train which is in the airport catch the 8:30 train to Liverpool. This is about an hour ride once at Lime Street We contact my cousin. Her husband Ray, daughter-in-law Natalie and Colette come to pick us up.
A short ride we arrive at my Cousin Katrina’s house. I had been here one time before when my grandmother passed away in 1994. It’s the same as I remember a beautiful Victorian style house over looking the beach and the Mersey River. Inside the foyer opens to these 12-15 feet ceilings. It has eight bedrooms. We get settled and tell our story of our adventures for the day now that we are here I guess we can all laugh about it now. Matter of fact the train ride was fun, I think everyone enjoyed it and gave us time to relax and let the days problems slip away. After room assignments I head of to get some sleep
GOOD NIGHT.

June 23

Today my Aunt Nora contacted John Hume to see if we can meet, so the younger ones could get a chance to speak with him.
See, John has spent most of his adult life trying to bring both the Catholics and Protestants together for a peaceful Ireland. He held a seat in the European Parliament and in 1998 he was the recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, this he shared with another gentleman from Ireland, David Trimbull.
Back to Derry to meet John, he suggests we all go with him to Beech Hotel. The hotel was used by the Americans during World War II for training exercises for there troops station in Derry. The hotel was also used to house the captains of the surrendered German U-boats.
Walking into the hotel with John was not what I expected, in the small lobby were these pictures hanging on the wall. With a closer examination I see President Bill Clinton and other U.S. dignitaries with John at their side. They too were brought to this place to have tea like us. To talk to John you would never know his role and status but once you look around and hear the talk on the radio you see the important role he played in the signing of the Peace Accord.
The group splits up and Julie, I and the kids venture out on our own. We end up at an old fort. Dunfree Fort is position at the mouth of Lough Swilly. Built by the English to protect the harbor during World War II. Some of the old guns/cannons still remain today the outpost looks like a castle built on the rocks.
Getting late we head back to the house need to start packing up for tomorrow we leave for Liverpool England.
That evening Linda our host from the gathering several nights ago stops to chat and say good-bye. Before long it’s close to 12:00 midnight and she leaves for home. It’s easy to lose track of time because the sun stays up till 11:00 PM and night never seems to become completely dark. We need to be on the road to Belfast City airport by 7:00 AM.

Sunset from the house deck. View of Buncrana from the house, and a local resident.

Pictures of the wall around Derry and the Guild Hall/ City Hall.

June 22

Today starts with a little shopping for food because my Sisters thought it would be nice since we have the room and view to invite some friends and family of my Dad to the house for a little get together. Back from the supermarket and a roast in the oven we attempt to go back to Malin Head, this time with the whole family. The weather today is spectacular. This ride is short in miles from where we are staying but since the roads are so small with many twists and turns it takes about hour and half. A wonderful part of this ride is a stretch of road that seems to take you back in time. Sheep are free grazing and can wander anywhere they want, and the roadway is in there control. Some are sleeping right on the road or grazing on the edge.
First stop Five Finger Strand; we drive down a one lane which becomes covered in sand blown from the beach. WOW I am so glad we came back. The weather is clear now we can see what was meant from the name of the beach. Out in the ocean you can see five distinct land masses which must be the Five Finger Strand. We can see sheep standing on the top of mountain overlooking the ocean. We spend time out on the beach and except for a few other people we have it all to ourselves. Many pictures are taken the off to Malin Head. About another half hour we can see we are running out of road. Slowly we maneuver the tiny road past thatch roof farm houses. We stop to see three donkeys in a pasture, not as interested in us as we are of them back in the car and direct the car up the last half mile to the most Northern cost of Ireland. I know I said Malin Head was spectacular but I am lost for words to describe this. I’ll post some pictures and you decide.
This is the place that will have you sit and stare out into the ocean over the cliffs to solve all your problems and take away all your cares, as you reflect you can’t help to think someone bigger than all of us had to have something to do with this.
Time to go so we all take in our last views, as I get back into my car my Dad says to me your mother loved this place, I fully understand why. So do I.

June 21

Fathers Day
This day some of us decide to go our separate ways. My brother Eamon, Sister, Dad and kids take a ferry across Lough Swilly to Rathmullen an island across the way which consists of small fishing towns. I Julie and the kids head to Malin Head the most northern point of Ireland along the way we stop at Five Fingers Strand but because the weather is so bad we can hardly see anything out in the sea. The clouds fog and mist have put a slight hamper to our plans for the day. We head back to meet the rest of the gang and head to dinner. Just a short distance from the house is an old train station that has been converted into a restaurant. Funny thing about this restaurant is when this was a train station my Dad worked for the company (Swilly Railroad). Being Fathers day and having all his children, some grand children and sister around him, I know he was enjoying himself especially when he began to tell us all about the old photos of trains posted all over the walls of the restaurant.

June 20

Today everyone has a separate agenda which is fine with me. Trying to navigate three cars in a country I have no idea where I am going is frustrating.
Julie, I, Brendan and MaryKate head to a neighborhood in Derry known as the Bogside.
This neighbor is a Catholic strong hold. Many of the problems that were reported in the 70’s and 80’s happened here. Our plan is to view several murals painted on the side of buildings that depict the feelings of the time of the political unrest. Knowing the history as I do, I find the paintings powerful. These murals are also located in the the same location of the “Bloody Sunday” tragedy when 14 people were killed by British soldiers. We stopped into the “Peoples Art Gallery” here are more photo’s and paintings of the times from both the Catholics and Protestants point of view. This gave us some perspective of the feelings of the people. While at the gallery we run into one of the artist of the murals. We pick up a book of his and artist works for our oldest son Sean. The artist is happy to sign a copy. While in the gallery I show the kids a rubber bullet which was used by the British soldiers.
From here we head up the hill (everything seems to be up hill) to visit the Long Tower Church also know as Saint Columba’s. Inside the church is breathtaking. The alter is magnificent. The church is over a hundred years old and its age can only be told from the wear of the wooded floor, from the many people who have knelt to pray. While sitting and taking in all the surrounding and saying a few prayers of my own MaryKate and Julie are up by the alter lighting a candle. I hear Brendan behind me drop a few coins in the poor box. In enters a few young men dressed for a wedding. After a little while we realize it’s time for us to make way for the wedding but before we leave the musicians are practicing and playing “Danny Boy”.
This evening we have all been invited to a cousin of my fathers (Eileen). They only live down the road from where we are staying, in a little community know as Burnfoot. We pull up in front of what seems to be a new home. Later I find out this is Eileen’s daughters’ house and the whole family lives on this road. It’s a handsome piece of land. This becomes a typical Irish gathering after the introductions I make my out the back of the house to the men holding court in the garage. I find myself alone with strangers but after a few minutes I feel I’ve known these men my entire life. They have welcomed me into there houses and I am family. There is a reason the men were sitting out by the garage, this is where the beer is. So I sit awhile and discuss their life and my life, talk about golf and farming. Before long the whiskey comes out. Not one to be rude when offered I accept. What seems like a short time the bottle is empty and night is getting cool? We all move indoors to the kitchen with the rest of my family and others guest. Then someone strikes up a song, an old Irish ballad. This is what I remember from my childhood of family gatherings. People enjoying the company of their family and friends. It’s good to see my Dad smiling with his children and family at his side. I can tell he knows it too. Before we know it it’s 1:00 am and time to go. Good for us we only a short drive up the road.

June 19

Not an eventful day but still fun went into Buncrana and then to Letterkenny just to see and enjoy the countryside.

June 18

Pop and Nora are spending the day with their friend Isabel. When we arrive back in Derry city some of us head to walk atop the wall. It’s about a mile around the city and at several locations you can still find some of the old cannons that were used to fortify the city. Along our walk on the wall we run into many of the faces of Derry, school children, young and old alike out for a walk on a great day. From the wall we all make our way to the Guild Hall which would be considered a town hall or city hall. Fashioned in neo-gothic style, the Guild Hall is the city’s premier civic center and one of the most striking buildings in Derry. It was built in 1887 but was destroyed by fire in 1908 and then rebuilt; then again in 1972 the Guildhall would have to have a portion of its structure rebuilt again, because of an explosion set by the IRA. The hall was rebuilt quickly as not to let the IRA think they had done much damage.
The Guildhall has some of the most spectacular examples of stained glass windows. These windows have such a history and appeal.
I head to the Tower museum with my kids and my older sister Colette and her two boys. Once inside my sister has secured a tour guide to take us around. I have to admit, I am not much of a tour guide type of person but I am so glad she did. Our guide was a friendly fellow by the name of Jerry. He took us from display to display and gave us a through history of the city. I was amazed how much history my parents had taught me from the city’s beginning through World War II, how the U.S. used the river Foyle as a base for their battle ships and how Germany surrendered 16 U-boat to the United States right in this harbor. All the way to the struggle and unrest of the 70’s and 80’s. The museum did a great job telling the story about the civil unrest without picking sides.
After our tour we share some small talk with the tour guide Jerry and Colette tells him my mother is from High Street and he informs us that it is just around the corner and proceeds to show us the way to where the house is and gives Colette a tie with the city coat of arms on it for my father. The only people whom get such a tie are city council members.

June 17

As everyone was getting themselves ready for the day we hear a knock at the door. It was Ann McCourt. Ann is a cousin to my mother; I have not seen her or her husband Pat for years. At one time they lived in the United States and stayed with my brother Desi in Richmond Virginia. As a matter of fact some of their children were born in the states.
They have since come back to Ireland and reside in Derry. How she found us, I don’t know but you have to remember this is a small town and word travels that the Americans are here.
After a few hours of catching up we decide it’s time to go so we set a time meet up again later in the week. The caravan starts out and heads towards Derry so my father can spend time with his sister and we all can go and tour the city.
Derry is a “walled city”, what I mean is the city literally has a stone wall around the center of the town which is about a mile long with six gates. The wall was built by the English to protect their farms and homes back in the 16th century. Catholic’s were allowed in during the day but had to be out by night fall when the gates would be locked.

We decide to explore and meet in a few hours. The boys go one way and the rest of us another. I think my sister Sheila and Terrie just couldn’t stay away from the shopping. I have to say I had to drag my MaryKate out of a store or two also. My opinion is we can buy anything they need in the states and along with the weak dollar it’s not much of a bargain, but try to tell that to my sister, nieces and daughter.

We return to my Aunt Nora’s home and pick up her and Pop. Nora will be staying with us during our visit.

June 16

We landed in Belfast at 9:00 am that would be 4:00 Eastern Standard Time. Get up, grab all our belongings and head to customs with the rest of the tourists. Except for my Dad and my brother Eamon. See my Dad is still a citizen of Northern Ireland and a British subject, my brother has an Irish passport/duel citizenship, which entitles them to go through a different customs line which of course is much, much shorter.
After a hour and a half we all meet in the lobby to pick up our luggage, now let's find the rental cars (this should be a treat). Remeber we need to drive on the left side of the road. I can handle this, so I think.
Pull out of the car rental area and I just want to drive on the right side, Every time I pull up to an intersection I find myself looking the wrong way and almost causing an accident. Then we have these round abouts, they are everywhere! If you are from the East Coast it's referred to as a circle, in New England it is called a rotary. What ever you call it they are difficult to maneuver because you go around them clock wise instead of counter clockwise, like we do in the states. Also, no one knows who has the right away. SO FAR no injuries. Oh I did forget to tell you we have 3 cars, try to drive and keep eveyrone together, that in it self is a chore.
We got everyone's luggage, carr on's we need to get started and need to travel 60, 70 miles to the town of Derry where my parents are from. A night of traveling and we are still at the airport parking lot, who has English money to get us out of this parking lot? No, not parper money (pounds), but a pound in the form of a coin for 3 cars. Because the machine only takes coins, who would ever think there wouldn't be an attendant to let us out? This isn't Hopkins International Aiport or Philadelphia Internatil Airport, but Belfast International Airport. I actually opened the door on the left side of teh car and realized there was no steering wheel. That should being to show you what a journey this is beginning to be.
We are off and driving, the countryside is breathtaking. The clouds are so white and fluffy, sheep and cattle down the hillsides, fields all different colors of green and separated by hedge rows or stone walls used as fences. We travel small two lane country roads for much of our drive to Derry.
After 4 hours of picking up cars, luggage and finding our bearings we arrive at my Aunt Nora's house, this is my father's youngest sister (72). Aunt Nora lives in a retirement community, with her own modest apartment. She very much enjoys her surroundings and neighbors. We are met in the driveway by a group of smiling Irish women. For most of us it's been over 10 years since we last saw my aunt. She looks wonderful, except for the use of a cane, she gets around very well. The rest of the greeting committee consists of a cousin of my father (Aunt Eileen) and several other ladies from the community. After the normal hugs and kisses and the questions of who is this child, who do you belong to, and oh, how grown up you are, 'Your were only a wee one when I last saw you'.
The ladies have put together a lunch spread for all of us to enjoy in their community room. Sandwhiches, soup and of course tea (a main staple of Irish people). Now it's time to find the house we will be staying at, luck would have it one of the ladies working at the community center says she lives close by where we are going and would be happy to show us the way.
The house we will be staying at is in Lisfannon Heights a community just outside Buncrana which is about 20 miles outside of Derry.
Thank goodness for this woman taking the time to show us the way or we would still be looking for the house. The last trek of the trip to the house is straight up a hill. The car literally will not make it up the hill in second gear, it almost stalls.
At the house, looking out from the deck, the view is spectacular almost indescribable. We are looking over a lough, which is what we would consider a bay. This lough is also known as 'Lake of Shadows'. Instantly you can understand how it got its name. The sun and clouds cast shadows over the lough to create these beautiful shadows. Our second day in Ireland we had the Giant's Causeway. Legend has it that Finn McCool, a Giant, took his hand and scooped out a handful of soil. The Giant then threw the soil into the water, the soil became what we know of today as Scotland. The rock formation that we went to see, is supposed to be the walkway that was formed for Finn McCool to walk upon to England. In reality, a volcano errupted many years ago and pushed the rocks to the surface of the sea. The rocks are perfect octagonal shape, this being an all natural occurance. Also, on our second day, we stopped at Dunluce Castle to explore. Both the Causeway and the Castle are on the Causeway Costal Route which gave spectacular views of the coastline. Dunluce Castle was built in the 16th Century, it is hard to believe that such work and architecture could be completed by hand without of the use of modern technology. While we were at the Castle there was a group of College students performing an archaelogical dig. The students feel that they had recently foudn evidence of the Moors at the Castle site.

June 15

Sorry for the delay, but we have had more trouble trying to get connected in Ireland.
The morning of our trip has finally arrived, some of us are getting a little edgy (yes me) last minute things to get done like drop off the dog and make sure all of the garbage is out of the house, make sure the neighbor's kid knows the cut the grass, get Brendan and MaryKate up and moving. Then their was the official weighing of the luggage in the living room, only one bag hit the 50 pound mark, with a little rearranging and we are all set. Let's get going. Got to the airport on time (thanks Greg). Well the flight from Cleveland to Newark, New Jersey was uneventful, everything seemed to work well. In Newark is where we met up with the rest of the Clan, the 10 other traveling companions. Shortyly after touching down in Newark, we ran into the rest of the McHughs. It's a short drive from Philadelphia for them. Boarded a plan at 8:30 pm Sunday night that doesn't look big enough to cross the Atlantic Ocean. It was my luck to get an exit row with a little more leg room, thank goodness, and wouldn't you know it, the entire plane was full, not a seat to be had. Do you know how good first class looks when you are boarding a plane that you know is full for a 6 hour flight? Find your seat get settled, bags are stowed in overheard compartments and under the seats. Flight attendants are making their final counts, seat belt checks, and the plane begins to push back to the gate, on time! Head up the easter coast to Bostom then to Newfoundland a right turn and start out over the Atlantic Ocean. I am sure this thought must pass through everyone's mind that has flown over water, 'I hope this plane is full of fuel or did the mechanics do all they can to make sure the enines run well for this trip'.
Well they did, we are flying over Dublin and land is in sight. We flew at 625 MPH at 37,000 feet. It was a very strange, the sun seemed to go down for only a few hours and at 4:00 am it was back up.

I thought I was ready for this trip; but each day brings new things I need to prepare or take care of. I am sure their are things I will forget. So this morning, getting to the office a little early and started a "Things to Do" list. The more I though the more things came to mind like, pick up electrical connections from Gregg Loftus for the trip, so I can continue this blog while away, make sure the Northern Ohio Superintendent outing goes off with out a hitch at Manakiki. You see, this is association I belong to and many of the players are what I would refer to as constituents of mine. So thanks to Bill Roeder for making it a great day. Finish that article for Park and Rec magazine and send them some pictures. Get a purchase order for the new dog. Oh that's a whole other story. I take on looking at a new Border Collie for the golf courses to chase the geese, this means this dog is with me all day then I take her home with me, so I have been putting this 2 year old dog through her paces since Friday and trying her out, a trial run of sorts. I need to return her to her trainer in Mansfield, OH. tomorrow about an hour and half from Cleveland. That will have to wait until I finish with a grievance meeting with the union. Who knows how that meeting is going to turn out. The international phone showed up yesterday that's one more thing off the list.
Thursday pick up Brendan from Ohio University (about 4 hours away one way).
At home we haven't begun to even pack yet. So you know these last few days should be fun at the McHugh house hold. Me, I just need some socks and underwear, a pair of pants and a few shirts and I am ready to see Ireland.
It's time to fish or cut bait, so the next few days should begin to become exciting, or should I say stressful. Tempers raising, patience running short. We need to remember this is supposed to be fun. But look at it this way, this is fun. On another note thank you Andrea and Brigid for taking the time to be apart of our journey. Love always Sean

The Journey Begins- preparing for the trip

June 7,2009. So I guess I am officially a blogger with this being my first blog. Thanks to MaryKate for her guidance through this new experience, because I would never have gotten it started or off the ground.
I wanted to recount my daily going on's while I take this trip back to Ireland with my wife (Julie), our middle son (Brendan), our youngest (MaryKate). Our oldest son Sean, has decided to stay back and finish some classes at Ohio State. Sean we all wish you were coming with us.It's still not too late.
Besides my own family, my siblings are going with their respective families. My father who will be 83 this September was the one to present the idea to all of us. Although I am the only one of my siblings never to visit the land from which my Mother, Father, and oldest brother come from, for one reason or another. Maybe this time has a stronger reason for me to be a part of this adventure. Perhaps it's a reason to spend time with my Dad, sisters, brother and their children. Maybe it's my mother voice I keep hearing telling me to go with them. It never seemed that important at the time, but it sure does now.
Let me tell you a little bit about my traveling companions. My oldest sister Colette has two sons. Conall, a college grad out on his own and in his early 20's, his brother Padraic just graduated high school and planning to attend college this fall.
My youngest sister Sheila and her two daughters. The oldest is Alicia and is currently attending LaSalle University quiet and reserved, then there is Moira, heading to her first year of high school this fall, and just like my sister full of life and ready to go all the time. Shelia's husband Ben just started a new job at the University of Penn and won't be able to join us. (Ben I will surly miss your company)
Eamon is my younger brother, a person that doesn't take life too seriously and enjoys a good laugh all the time. Terrie is coming if she can get all her luggage on the plane, but she needs to come because she keeps my brother grounded. Eamon's youngest son Dan wants to be a part of this pilgrimage also.
So you can see from the count of 14 different personalities this should be some trip. You may want check in everyday to stay up with what may unfold.
We don't leave for seven more days, but the adventure has begun. The chatter from certain members wondering how in the world they are going to get 50 pounds of clothes in one suit case. And some of this moaning and groaning is coming from my own family. I am sure I will have some tales to tell next Sunday June 14, 2009 when we all meet at the Newark, New Jersey airport. Before our trans-Atlantic flight to Northern Ireland. Like I said earlier, I plan to post some of our highlights each day.
So come and join the McHugh's on this journey home, it's sure to entertain. Perhaps along the way we will get to know each other a little better and I will get see all the wonderful places my mother spoke about.