Hi Sicile,

Sorry for the long delay... haven't logged-in in several weeks... just found your comment re: going vegan... congrats... one more convert into the fold... several hundred million to go... LOL

Been Vegetarian since '77... Vegan since '79... has always worked for me... health-wise, & with peace of mind for all the animals spared.

Not comfortable with details in open posts... can exchange emails if you have questions, etc..

hey just dropping by to say burn in fictional hell I know I plan on it.

Hi Sicili,
Sorry about delaying in getting back to you (time zones etc.)
You'll remember my recommending the Ceide Fields in Mayo (Link; www.museumsofmayo.com/ceide.htm and www.heritageireland.ie/en/west/ceidefields/ and en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Céide_Fields )

If you're going to Dingle town go via the Connor Pass from Tralee (there's a fork in the road about half way from Tralee, Take the right fork). After Dingle I recommend you travel around Slea Head and view the Blasket Islands. If you have time you might like to climb Mount Eadle near Ballyferriter -the locals will indicate the route. its not a difficult climb and the views are magnificent. It takes about an hour each way, but check the weather before you go and bring warm and waterproof clothing and suitable footwear.
Note that due to a controversial decision by a government minister who thinks he can re-introduce the Irish Language to every day use thorughout the land, ALL roadsigns in Gaelteacht areas (Irish Speaking Areas) are in IRISH. Sometimes the Irish name for a place bears NO relation or resemblance to the name in English. For example the Irish name for Dingle is An Daingean or An Daingean Ui Cuishle. If you do not have a GPS Navigator, make sure you get a map that has both English and Irish placenames shown. Your car rental company should be able to provide one but if they try to charge for it don't bother but buy one in a gas station or at a tourist office.
If I can be of any further help let me know. If in Ireland and you want my cell phone number just send me an e-mail address to jackb@ireland.com (please keep it private)
Regards
Jack

Hey, sorry I didn't respond sooner, but I just wanted to say thanks for the comments and adding me as a friend. :-)

Hi Sicile,
Sorry about the delay in replying, but I got your message on my smart-phone last night (time difference Ireland - US I guess ) and I needed a laptop to answer properly. No problem with info. though.
A few clarifying questions for you though;
When you say you would live to visit the northern section do you mean the geographic north or Northern Ireland (part of the UK).
Again when you refer to the north, do you mean the very north or just north of where you were the last visit?
What Airport are you flying to or is that still open to choice?
What kind of holiday are you planning? Will you rent a car, a bike or use public transport? Are you planning to stay in hotels, bed & breakfasts, hostels, just camp or use a mixture of these? What are you looking for in a holiday? Night-life, beaches, mountainsides, museums, scenery, festivals or what?
Finally, when are you coming and how long will you be hear?
If you can let me know some or all of the above together with any other info you think relevant, I'll help with any info I can.
regards,
Jack

Hey Sicile. I had a good time meeting all you guys. I felt a little out of place but I am sure that will change with more meetups. I enjoyed our middle of the table conversation. lol looking forward to many more!

Thanks so much for your thoughtful comments Sicile! I certainly would recommend coming out with the atheism...when you're ready of course. After my deconversion, church was/is the most uncomfortable place in the world for me. If I didn't come out with it to the family, I would be expected to go & I just can't do that...not even as a social gathering. Nothwithstanding, I still like Anselms quote from long ago, Every saint has a past, every sinner has a future. The next step for me now is bridging the silence & actually talking about the "Elephant in the Living Room." Gently of course.

Dear Sicile
I can tell you about some videos to watch that have been recommended within the "Origins" group. There are many of them.

e.g. excellent on Darwin
http://www.atheistnexus.org/group/originsuniverselifehumankindanddarwin/forum/topics/stanford-university-lectures

If I trawl back through the early discussion topics on "Origins" (especially around November 2008 to February 2009) I can find numerous good videos placed there about the Universe and everything else.

But what I suggest is this. Rewrite your message as a discussion question topic, asking the members of "Origins". Richard Healy could be among those who respond as regards the video answer. That way others too will benefit from the advice given about books, films, videos etc.

So prepare your topic message and post it as a discussion topic. If you need help to how to post it, ask me of course.
Good luck and best wishes, Terry.

Thanks for your comments! It was nice of you! I need to put a different bible verse up, that one has been there for a while - still, I'm glad you liked it.