On Becoming the Orchestrator of Holidays

Easter is coming up, and it feels like maybe it won't be special enough, what should we do? After all Michelle is leaving and we need it to be more special. We have no plans... truth be told, all holidays are starting to have that ring about them, like they may be starting to become 'work'. That makes me really sad, and rather than succumb and accept that (resist, even until death) I think I have figured out why at least.

It's because we are now the ones responsible for creating the magic of the holiday. As a child the 'Holiday' (with a capital H) was responsible for the magic, with Christmas, it was in the air, and everything mundane felt special, magical even. As a child who believed in magic and possibilities these times felt especially magical.

Now I realize it was not the 'Holiday' at all but the magic that my parents and family managed to weave that truly lifted my spirits. I had recently begun to feel disappointed with the way holidays were feeling like a forced joie de vivre, like I had to pretend, like a slightly inappropriate overgrown child type feeling. But now I feel empowered, as a parent, I can create that magic and use my imagination, create memories of any shape or description. The magic and specialness I felt as a child was real to me after all, and became a strong foundation for the person I am today. I feel empowered now to create that special foundation for my child, my princess.

So now I can look forward to Holidays again, (I always did anyway) but in a way that feels appropriate and real, and compares to the way I felt as a child. I can live the life vicarious, and do it through my baby, This is Saoirse's first Easter, and she will never remember it, but I will, and I think it should be special. Any ideas?

Wedding and Travel in Ireland May 18th - 30th 2010

Hey Everyone, Thanks for tuning in again. This is an update and a loose itinerary all in one for those of you meeting us in Ireland. Not only are you honouring us with your presence on the most special day of our lives but you are going to have a kick-ass holiday too. So here's the lineup. Included is all the details and instructions on how to book the tour and accomodation and prices.

Tuesday May 18th (My birthday) - Jason and a few daring lads will be departing for 2 days to Amsterdam. He has not booked his flights but Tues to Thurs are by far the cheapest.

Aer Lingus does direct flights and has great deals. So if you're interested in going contact Jason on facebook or jmgo4th@aol.com, and just let him know, he isn't planning on leaving until later on the Tuesday so if you were planning on arriving that day, you would easily have time. Talk to Jason for more details.

Thursday May 20th - Most people seem to be arriving that day from all over the world, I will need your itineraries if I am to meet you and make sure you get to where you are going, so please email me at sarahkeogh18@googlemail.com and I will make sure I am there or that you know what to do to.

Currently the plan is for me to take those attending the bachelorette or hens party women on the PaddyWagon Tours Shuttle downtown, and get our stuff and check in. We will have the day to nap or explore Dublin, the choice is up to you. If there is anything in Dublin you really want to do/see during that day let me know, and I will make it happen.

We will be staying at Blooms, the rooms are twin, triple, and quad, so please call and book if you have enough people to fill your room.

The price for sharing is approx 35 euro, which is a great deal and includes breakfast. If you want to share to get the cheap price, but don't know who you will share with contact me directly or through the facebook invite page, and we will pair you up with people.

To book Blooms for the bachelorette, please call and say you are calling for Sarah Keogh's Bachelorette/Hens Night. They won't charge your card until you get there.

Blooms Hotel Anglesea Street
Temple Bar
Dublin 2.

Tel: + 353 1 671 5622
Fax: + 353 1 671 5997

ROOMS will be released from April 22nd so book before then to get the deal.

Cabra Castle Accomodation: call before 12noon central US standard time


Tel: + 353 42 966 7030- if you haven't already please call this number to book your room. Wedding rates are 110-150 for sharing (per room b&b) or 80 for a single. We are staying Friday through Sunday Night (departing Monday Morning).

Friday May 21st (The Day Before the Wedding)

Some people are landing on this day. Again, please forward your itineraries so you don't get lost in the shuffle. The castle is an hour north of the airport and we want to make sure get there ok.

4pm - Informal Get Together this is an opportunity for people to meet and hang out in the residents bar of the castle. We will be there for an hour, before the wedding party and immediate family are involved in rehearsal activities for the wedding the next day.

5pm - Wedding Rehearsal - Wedding Party all need to attend
We will be rehearsing on the lawn for an hour or so, and we need to make sure priest, attendants, groomsmen and planner, are all on the same page and know how its going to happen on Saturday.

6pm - Rehearsal Dinner - Dressy/Casual
This is hosted by Jason's mom, and includes dinner for all in the bridal party, including their partners. This is where we all get to know one another talk about the big day, and perhaps, tell stories about the bride and groom.

Saturday May 22nd - The Wedding
We will be holding the ceremony at 2:30 on the front lawn of the castle. If you are in the party please attend 30 minutes in advance. The reception dinner will commence at 5:30 and the party won't stop then until the wee hours of the morning, 4am or so, the rest is a surprise.

Sunday May 23rd - The after 'party'.
We will be hanging out then next day, and going to the local village to hopefully hear some traditional Irish Music, probably later in the afternoon, to give people time to recover from the wedding and explore the grounds. You do not have to stay in the castle that night and if you can find accomodation in the town of kingscourt or carrickmacross, then taxis are cheap and this might be a cheaper option than the castle, then again it might not.

Monday May 24th - PaddyWagon Tour Departs
They are picking us up from the front of the castle at 8:30am. See this link for more info about the tour.
Prices are 129 Pounds for tour ending on Thursday May 27th, where you would get off in Galway and ride the www.citylink.ie bus that can take you back to Dublin city center, or the airport.
Price for 6 day is 295 pounds.
So far we have 18 interested in touring with us.
IF YOU ARE DOING THE 6 DAY please book the regular 6 day tour on the website, departing on May 24th.

IF YOU ARE DOING THE 3 DAY Call +353 1 8230822 (if you are in america, + means 011, anywhere else, dial 001) and book for the private tour departing May 24th they already have your name as an interested party, so tell them and you will get the 129 pound price. This price refers to hostel accomodation only, if you want Bed&Breakfast please specify on the phone.

The 6 day tour ends on the Saturday, including a lot of Dublin on that last day. There are really no baggage restrictions, they operator seems to be really cool. The first 3 days we will have our OWN BUS, then the 6 dayers will transfer to the regular bus with other backpackers, because there are fewer of them.

Saturday May 29th Last Night We will spend today in Dublin, and the night in the Paddy wagon hostel, with a free airport shuttle the next day/morning to make sure you get home.

Any other questions please post below.

This is going to be a stunning trip make sure you look at the 6 day all Ireland on their website to see all the amazing activities, you will not just be sitting on a bus, we promise!

Back Home From Ireland

So I had a great trip home, it was only for a week but MAN did I get a lot done. 

I just want to say thanks to everyone that made the time to come hang out with me, I know everybody can be busy with life, and I took a week to come and interrupt all of that but I saw some amazing castles, and had some great times with the people I love.

The first castle I saw was Humewood in Kiltegan, Co Wicklow. It was astonishing. 12 bedrooms, each with its own bathroom and a canopy over most of the beds and bath tubs. My cousin Ciara came with me and I discovered we have a lot in common, with a family like mine its a wonder I even have friends, because I could score a lifetime of best friends from this amazing group of people. They are my kindred spirits really, and I can't wait to see them all again.

We also looked at Barberstown castle in a small town called Straffan, Co Kildare. The reception venue looked amazing, stunning, truly, but, it felt like it was missing some warmth, or something, well it was hard to put my finger on it anyway, maybe it was the cost??

I found an amazing french baker who used to be a chef but now loves the artistry of decorating, which I think is the perfect combination for a wedding cake maker. His chocolate biscuit cake is amazing, and his ideas for incorporating our theme into the cake design have me really excited. I still have to talk to one other lady about cakes, who I really hit it off with, before I make my decision, but all in all I am in a much better position to make most of the wedding decisions than I was before my week in Ireland.

Being able to see my family too was the icing on the cake, and made the whole trip just that bit more sweet.