Yesterday we took that wee trip to Lough Key, rain lashing down on us half the time; the other half scattered with sun. We listened to a Harry Potter book on tape, there and back, laughing at Stephen Fry's voice inflections, cheering for Ireland in the Quidditch World Cup.
Read moreDay trips from our Dublin doorstep
This week is mid-term break for all students in Ireland. Like Spring Break for our North American friends, we enjoy a week off in Autumn with nothing to do but kill time until school starts up again. I'm only half joking, but it's true. I'm that mom who loves when school is in session.
Read moreThe imaginary life at home in Ireland
Photo by Fleur Treurniet on Unsplash
When it is midterm break, I write in the mornings. The children have creeped downstairs to watch a documentary on birds of the African air and the coffee is perfection. They feed, clothe and entertain themselves so I can sneak away to my pinterest-inspired nook and...
Read moreFoodie for thought
So now you know all about my love affair with the chipper. Matt used to tease me in college that I was a cheap date (you know, in a good, clean way), and this is still the truth. Spend three euro on a bag of garlic mayo chips and I'm your girl for life. But there is more to food life in Ireland than the spud.
I've said before we feel extremely blessed to live here and in such close proximity to Dublin. On the rare chance we get a night (or a morning or an afternoon) out on the town alone, our first stop will be Lemon
Read moreThe chipper
My love affair with Irish food can be encapsulated in two words: the chipper. The chipper, or the chippie or the chips shop (or any other such nickname) is short for the local fish and chips place. This is common to the UK, as well, though I'm not sure where else in the world (New England, maybe?) the chipper exists.
Chips here are what we yanks might commonly refer to as "french fries," but this in itself is misleading, as chips here are thick and hearty and taste great sprinkled with vinegar. I'm serious. Vinegar.
Now here's when you may say to yourself "Chips I can get behind, but I hate fish." To which I reply, "Good on you!" for I, too, hate fish. But the chipper is so much more than fish.
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