Day 5. Carrick-on-Shannon

After an early start to my day, a flight from Paris to Dublin, an airport shuttle to the car rental place and a two and a half hour car ride, I finally made it to Carrick-on-Shannon today! And I couldn't be happier.

Ireland greeted me with her usual beauty

Evelyn greeted me at the door of her B&B upon my arrival and instructed me that Gene had been by and was having me over for steak and potatoes for dinner. I was to walk over to his place once I arrived to check-in on timing. I mean. Honestly. I love this place and how adorable is Gene? I had time enough to drop my bags off before taking the short and lovely walk over to Gene's where I found him painting in the most adorable painting outfit.

Gene and I had a quick chat, decided on 7pm for dinner, and off I went to the B&B to relax for a little while and pull myself together.

Dinner with Gene was great. It was fun to catch up with him. I email him a little bit, but he's not that great on email. So I never really know what he gets, reads and knows from what I send him. But we chatted for a while and then took it into the Thatch to finish up the night.

It was wonderful to be back at the Thatch. I love that place so much. It's so easy to talk with people. Many seem to be genuinely excited to see me back. And I love the trad music session, getting behind the bar to pull my own pint (and serve others too!).

I ended the night by being escorted home under the starriest of starry skies with my favorite man in all of Ireland.

A magical night indeed.

Ireland. I. Love. You!