Last year I travelled alone from Australia via Los Angeles, and London to Dublin, and with my rental car drove around for three weeks.

I knew that I would have to do the trip alone, and fortunately I did manage to make arrangements to meet up with people (friends and family in Ireland, and in the UK), but most of the time I was on my own.

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My last few days with the rental car were very busy - and I managed to drive around and catch up with some of my last few folk to get more information for my story. In reality I could have spent more time there, but I had to get back to Dublin and return my rental car.

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My time was running out - I still had a number of people to meet and interview, was having difficulty fitting them in. Hardly time to panic, but the pressure was on.

I drove from Dublin to Limerick on a dark, rainy day. It wasn't a long trip, but made slow by the weather, and of course my wish to see as much as possible and not get lost. It was a most interesting drive, and a shame that I had so little time to stop and explore.

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When some of my plans fell apart I drove back to Dublin and my refuge with A & T. I think I spent almost one full day in/on bed. Reading. Washing. Just taking time out to replenish my thoughts and my energy.

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The port town of Cobh has a very interesting history. During the 18th century the fleets assembled here before sailing off to the Napoleonic wars. By 1830 Cobh had become a health resort town, and in 1849 when Queen Victoria visited the town was renamed in her honour, Queenstown.. It was to be 1920 before the town was given it's original name back and is known as Cobh now (it is pronounced Cove).

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I somehow missed a turn (a frequent occurence) as I found it a challenge watching the road, the other cars, AND the signposts - many of which were hidden behind trees.

The first big place I saw was the Blarney Wollen Mills - so I turned in and parked in the huge car park (carefully making note, as I did, where I parked the car). As I was getting out of the car I noticed the sign post to the Castle, so I chose to head in that direction first.

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One of the places I was really keen to go to was Cork, the second largest city in Ireland, and capital of the province of Munster. The city was founded established in 606 by St Finbarre, who is of course the patront saint of Cork. It is an international seaport, and for hundreds of years has been a popular seaport.

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There are so many B & B's around Ireland - some are good and others, well......

I found one in Tipperary which was wonderful. It was called Bansha House, right in the middle of horse country. Ideal for anyone who has a special interest in these wonderful beasts.

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One of the challenges when writing biography or life story, is that not all family members are enthusiastic about the project.

Even if they are, there are often conflicts as people have differing recollections of the same event.

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I was to meet some of my client's family on the Sunday at lunch, and found my way to the house quite easily. They weren't far from the village, in a little stone farmhouse surrounded by green pastures.

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