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| Dad and Boys Visit Ireland - 2001 |
| It all began on August 20th 2000 when mom decided to take our 2 daughters to London for 10 days. On returning they enthralled everyone with stories of their daily escapades and nightly carousing. They just could not stop talking about the good times they experienced. Well this did not set to well with dad. What about the Albin boys? Were they forgotten? Not a chance, it was announced shortly after that father and 7 sons would visit Ireland sometime in the spring of 2001. After tactful negotiations with the better half's of those married the embarkation was set fot April 26th. And so we begin ......... Thursday April 26th First off everyone except Brian had to meet at Newark Airport to board the 7:30 PM Aer Lingus flight to Dublin. Dad had to come from Chapel Hill, NC, Chris from Jackson Hole, WY, Art connected from Bozeman, MT, and Bob had to drive up from Lewisburg, PA. Thankfully all flights arrived on schedule. Steve, Ken and Tom were fairly local, and did not have any problems and met for a welcome drink before boarding. |
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| All arrived with time to spare.Brian would catch a flight on Saturday and we would pick him up at the Dublin Airport early Sunday morning. |
| Friday April 27th |
| The flight was excellent and everyone was in good humor. We arrived early Friday morning and went to Hertz to pick up 2 cars (Volvo and a Toyota). Steve and Bob were the designated drivers. After much fumbling through downtown Dublin we finally found the Portobello Hotel. |
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| After registering and taking a quick snooze we grabbed our umbrellas and maps and proceeded to find our way to St. Stephens Green. The minute we went downstairs we pulled out the maps and tried to figure out where we were and what direction we should head.We all split up and agreed to meet at McGuires Pub on O'Connell street at three O'clock and sample some nectar from the motherland. |
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| Yes, Guinness of course! The rest of the day was spent wandering around Grafton Street which is the main shopping and people watching area of Dublin. On returning to the hotel we noticed that the front drivers side window of the Toyota was smashed. |
| The Toyota was Bob's so Steve offered to accompany him back to the airport to pick up another car. All they had left was a Saab 900 which they gave them for the same price. The rest of us had dinner at the Barge restaurant and then met Bob and Steve at the Portobello Pub. It was a long day. |
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