Living Like Royalty in Ashford Castle

We are way behind in posting to our blog -- and that's because we've been having much too much fun. Right now it's Friday, March 30, 11:30 a.m. We spent the night at the beautiful Ashford Castle -- truly an experience of a lifetime. More to come as soon as we have a few minutes. There are new photos posted now -- of Kylemore Abbey and more...

Greetings from Galway!

We had no suitable Internet access at our hotel on Sunday, so we're a little behind in updating the blog. Regardless of what the posting time says on this blog, it's now about 1:30 a.m. on Tuesday morning, March 27. We are five hours ahead of Eastern Daylight time in the United States.

We are now in the Galway City. Photos and descriptions of our very busy day yesterday are online on our website. Just click here to see them.

In a nutshell, we arrived without incident in Shannon airport just after sunrise to a chilly but sunny day. Thanks to good planning on the part of Chief Oysterette in Charge Jan, we had early check in so we were able to get a few hours of sleep before heading out again.

In the afternoon we went a short distance to the Cliffs of Moher, an amazing geological feature of this section of Ireland's coast. The 700-foot-high cliffs are sheer, right down to the ocean and the visitors center's displays about the cliffs, their geology, flora and fauna, and history were state-of-the-art and incredibly well done.

Then there was a short stop in the charming village of Doolin, where we visited our first Irish pub and many of us had our first genuine Guinness. Yes, it tastes very different from the version you get in the States. Think of it as a creamy milkshake with a rich, smooth flavor. It's so filling that each pint is practically a meal in of itself. The locals are fabulous -- they didn't seem to mind that their favorite pub was suddenly invaded by 47 Yanks. Doolin is known for its folk music scene but we were there too early for music. Kevin has already planned another stop there later in the week, however.

After our liquid fortification, we returned to the hotel and had a very good dinner. The Boys then organized an impromptu music jam in the hotel's Dylan Thomas bar.

By the way, "bar" here is pronounced "bear." Most of the signage in Ireland is in English and Irish (the locals say they speak Irish, not Gaelic.). We've learned to say "cheers." It's slainte pronounced something like "shanteh."

Kevin and Jan told us that there would be unexpected things happening because that's just how Ireland is. That came true last night during the Boys' jam session. Mike was in mid boogie woogie on the bar's piano when a local family came in -- mom, dad and three little girls -- the oldest two being maybe eight and five. The girls had been in an Irish step dance competition that afternoon and they were decked out in their little dresses and crowns. With just a little bit of encouragement from Kevin and their dad, they literally stepped right in and danced for us. See the photos. This description can't do it justice. It was a wonderful moment.

We closed the bar last night, and everyone went to bed quite tired after a very long day.

More on today's adventure coming up soon.

We're Here... Well, not really. We're at JFK.

The four-hour bus ride is over and we're at JFK really early. Tom G said he already forgot all about work. NYC was quite "picturesque" enroute. A city-wide powerwash was suggested.

We board in about two hours. Miss Jan did a great job booking us a super bus driver who did not get lost and did not hit the toll booth gates. Inside joke.

So now a few of us are practicing by hoisting a few Guinnessooses and having pizza.

Ok, so we haven't done anything truly exciting yet... but we're just eight hours away from Eire.

Stay tuned.

Slainte. Look it up.

In the Irish spirit...

A pre-trip Irish spirit was in the air on March 12 at a fundraiser for the Annapolis Maritime Museum at Galway Bay Restaurant and Pub, featuring "Them O'Boys." Since several of Them Boys are alums from an Irish music group that has since broken up -- Shannon Tide -- the event was a reunion of sorts. Playing front and center for several numbers was one alum who has gone on to bigger and better things: none other than Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley. The Governor was in fine voice that night, playing along with the band, which included another non-Oyster Boy alum of Shannon Tide, Jimmy Nolls. Also joining in were Seamus Kennedy and Ray Weaver. What great music! The event raised a good chunk of change for the Museum and everyone had a great time. Clearly, the boys are ready to represent the USA as musical ambassadors to Ireland!

Music, music, music

There will be four, count 'em, four Oyster Boys on this trip. In addition to Jeff and Kevin -- pictured at left -- Tom Guay and Mike Lange are coming along.

Tom is a master at electric guitar, fiddle, and hammer dulcimer. We can't wait to hear him get into fiddlin' an Irish jig with local musicians in Ireland. Of course, he might just launch into a Ventures-type electric guitar riff instead. Is he bringing that Straocaster?

Mike is the newest addition to the Oyster Boys big band. His keyboard talents run the gamut from boogie-woogie to calypso to golden oldies. How will his Eastport Boogie sound with a brogue?

At least three performances are planned during the trip with live music by "them local Irish boys" we haven't met yet at pubs almost every night. But knowing our boys, the banjo, uke, fiddle, guitar and who knows what else are sure to make their appearances as a matter of course. They can't help themselves. Aren't we lucky?

Tickets Issued, Guinness 101 Lessons Given

We're less than three weeks away from departure now. On March 23 our happy group of 47 will make its way to JFK and take off for Shannon airport on western side of the lovely green isle.

This blog is being written by the Oyster Boys' webmaster. From time to time along the way, many members of our tour group will post their impressions and stories about this trip as well. We'll document the tours, the scenery, the music, the pubs and the food as best we can... taking you along with us, if you will.

Tonight our tour leaders distributed info on the trip, gave us our tickets, tote bags and bright luggage straps and gave us a lesson on how to order a Guiness without looking like a stupid tourist. Who knew pint ordering would require lessons?

How to order a Guiness in Ireland:

1. Choose your pub carefully. A pint of Guinness does not appreciate loud music, loud people or bright flashing lights.

2. Ask politely for a pint of Guinness. Depending on the pub, it is possible to catch the barman's eye and mouth the word "pint." He will translate this accurately.

3. The barman will fill the glass between 70% and 80% capacity. It will then be put to the side for a few moments to allow it "to settle." Once the brownish liquid has almost turned to a solid black the barman will then fill the rest of the glass. NB: do not under any circumstances take the glass before it is filled. Some virgins seem to think that the settling stage is the final stage and walk away with an unfinished pint. We assure you it causes endless mirth as well.

4. Once you have receive you pint, final comfortable stool or seat, gaze with awe into the deep blackness, raise the pint to your mouth and take a large mouthful. Be firm.

5. A good pint can be distinguished by a number of methods. A smooth, slightly off-white head it one. Another is the residue left on the inside of the gall. These -- surprise-surprise -- are known as rings. As long as they are there you know you’re okay. A since of rings is developing. The instance that comes to mind is determining a person’ nationality by the number of rings (a ring is dependent on a swig of Guinness each swig leaving its own ring).

• An Irishman will have in the region of 5-6 rings (they pace themselves)
• An Englishman will have 8-10 rings
• An American will have 17-20 (we sip), and
• An Australian won’t have any at all as they tend to knock it back in one go!

6. As you near the end of your pint, it is the custom to order another one. It is a well known fact that a bird does not fly on one wing.

This is going to be a fun trip.