It can easily be said that the dynamic duo of Lenora Davidson and Orion Gallagher embrace all things Celtic and with a recent trip to Ireland, the luck of the Irish was upon them.
Returning to Ireland for the first time since the pandemic, the couple was more than ready for the formerly annual trip. This visit marked the 26th time Davidson had been to Ireland and the 5th time for Gallagher.
Going over Jan. 21-28, the couple made the decision to have an extended vacation while going over to a trade show to get merchandise for Davidson’s downtown Dublin store,ThingsCeltic.Gallagher also assists with the Celtic store, which showcases not only Irish merchandise, but Welsh and Scottish items.
While at the trade show, Davidson picked out many different items to bring back home, but her favorite is new handbags and ponchos. The show featured hundreds of vendors including leatherworkers, tartan makers and much more.
“We really love traveling off season,” she said about the trip.
After going to the trade show, the duo went to the warmer part of Ireland, the southwestern area. While traveling, temperatures were about 50 degrees each day making the duo happy to wear a light jacket or sweater.
“We decided we were going to go places we had never been,” Davidson said. “That’s ¾ of the fun.”
The couple stayed within County Cork at a bed and breakfast, which offered hearty Irish breakfasts each day.
Typical Irish breakfasts include freshly squeezed orange juice, cereals, fresh fruits, yogurts, tea or coffee, homemade scones and brown bread, along with an egg and meat option such as grilled bacon, sausages, eggs and white pudding or poached eggs on toast.
“Honestly, we didn’t get hungry most days until midafternoon,” she said.
One side adventure included visiting the Rock of Cashel, a cluster of medieval buildings. Among the monuments is a round tower, a high cross, a Romanesque chapel, a Gothic cathedral, an abbey, the Hall of the Vicars Choral and a fifteenth-century Tower House.
Originally the seat of the kings of Munster, according to legend St. Patrick himself came there to convert King Aenghus to Christianity. Brian Boru was crowned High King at Cashel in 978 and made it his capital.
In 1101 the site was granted to the church and Cashel swiftly rose to prominence as one of the most significant centers of ecclesiastical power in the country.
The couple also received a private tour of Jameson’s Irish Pub in Middleton.
One of the favorite outings of the couple included an English market featuring a variety of foods, meats, cheeses and bread.
The duo also visited an ancient stone circle and the town of Youghal (pronounced ya’ll) which where is the 1940’s Moby Dick was filmed.
Though the couple loves traveling off season, one issue that arises is pubs closing very early.
The couple found a pub that was offering pizza and they were very concerned that the food was too spicy.
“They asked us probably 10 times if it was too spicy for us because it had peppers on it,” Gallagher said. “We finally told them we were from Texas and it wasn’t a problem.” As St. Patrick’s Day is approaching this week, the couple said they are extremely excited to experience the high class of musicians that will be performing including the Piper Jones Band. They are also looking forward to welcoming in shoppers to Things Celtic. Davidson has operated the business as a brick and mortar store since 1999 and in Dublin since June 1, 2018. Last summer, she bought the building that houses the gift store.
“This was my destiny, and this is our home,” she said.