The Irish Homecoming: A first birthday celebration and the first St. Patrick’s Day at home

April Drew plans for a bright future as she settles back into Ireland

It will be a product of hard work and dedication. So I guess watch this space also. 

So between the house hunting, the vacations and the magazine we will have a busy year.  And the weekends when we are not so busy we will continue to explore Limerick and the beauty of the surrounding counties. 

There are many forests, parks and lakes within driving distances. We are spoilt for choice and despite the bad reputation Ireland has for rain, the past few Sundays have been dry and sunny, albeit cold. The kids love the outdoors.

It was with the greatest intentions we rented a house out in the country when we first came back home last year.  I had romantic images of pounding the country roads with the double stroller as soon as the weather allowed me. 

Unfortunately country roads in Ireland are not what they used to be years ago. The roads are narrow – well, they were always narrow -- but the traffic on them now makes a stroll with the kids the equivalent of a death wish. 

I do it myself -- I speed around the corners because I’ve become so familiar with the roads -- so unfortunately my notion of country walks with the kids is just that, a notion. That’s why when weekends roll around we like to get out as much as possible.

There are two fantastic playgrounds within 10 minutes of the house and a little further out we have Lough Gur, Curraghchase Forest Park and Cratloe woods. 

It’s only Monday as I write this so we have a few more days until the weekend rolls around again, but I already look forward to the idea of it. In the meantime, New York and everyone beyond, enjoy the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. No doubt we will hear all about the second annual McLean Avenue parade and festival in the coming weeks. 

It was a fantastic day last year. Happy St. Patrick’s Day everyone.

​
Nster.com