Limerick

After a tiring 14-hour trip from Phoenix, we finally arrived in Shannon, Ireland.  The 9-hour flight from Phoenix to London was uneventful.  Going through the maze and security of London's Heathrow airport was a different matter.  We had to go from Terminal 5 to Terminal 1.  At both terminals we had to twist and turn through corridors, walkways, security checks after security checks, before we get to the Aer Lingus gate.  If you think TSA is bad, the airport security at London's Heathrow is really, really bad.  They emptied our suitcases and check every bottle and anything that they think might contain explosives.  Then they don't even put everything back in order.  Fortunately, we had enough time to get to our gate.
Driving a rental car in Ireland is a different experience.  First, I have not driven on the left (or wrong) side of the road for a long time.  That takes more than getting used to just driving.  You have to get used to the street signs and the speed limit.  Then I have to get used to driving a stick shift, with the stick on the left.  Fortunately, I have Candy keeping an eye on the road for me and reminding me when I have a tendency to go back to the right side of the road.
After going round and round Limerick a few times, we finally had to ask someone where our hotel is.
It is located in a small street in the city center of Limerick City; just an inconspicuous building next to a Middle-eastern restaurant and a Chinese restaurant.
All this stress is enough to get anyone to start drinking and yes, there are plenty of pubs around.  We did walk around the city a little bit.  But, we were dead tired.  Both of us did not sleep on the plane.  We called it quits early.  Regardless of the noise from the nearby pubs it didn't take us long to fall asleep.

Guinness is the National Drink in Ireland

Pubs are everywhere in Ireland

The Boutique Hotel where we stayed, next to restaurants

King John's Castle (in the distance) next to the Shannon River