Jordan Bernal – Author

I walked out to the site of the 3rd murder in The Keepers of Eire. Grayson kept me company. I even had a thought on how I wanted to write one of the scenes in book 2 while on this peaceful stroll.

Here is the back of Ballynahinch Castle and some lovely flowers.

Next I meet Lisa Chalfa, a marketing, publicity, & training wonder for coffee and biscuits at Glenlo Abbey Hotel just outside Galway City.

At Glenlo Abbey: the Orient Express…and a dragon

Today I backtracked just a bit and dropped off a copy of The Keepers of Eire to Lehinch’s sister shop in Ennis. Then I headed to The Burren, and Poulnabrone, where the second dragon and rider murder takes place.

Here is more unique limestone formations found in The Burren (guess who wanted to tag along?)

I met Thomas, who crafts unique Ogham script jewelry and other pieces. He is an artist in many forms including poetry. We exchanged a necklace that says Jordan in the ancient glyph for my book.

Next up, one of my favorite places-Ballynahinch Castle. But first, I needed to stop into O’Dalaigh Jewellers in Clifden to see Jonathan (he’s in the novel). The shop was quite busy, but I managed to purchase a couple things and chat with him. Forgot to get a photo though, perhaps tomorrow.
Here is the view from my room at Ballynahinch Castle-I have a river-level terrace.

Dinner in the bar was fabulous with a ribeye cooked to perfection, and for dessert-three samples of crime brûlée and a wee dram of oh-so-smooth Connemara whiskey. More from the lovely grounds here tomorrow. (The site of the third murder). The sun has set about an hour ago (9:30).

After leaving a copy of The Keepers of Eire at Waterstones in Cork City, I headed out to County Limerick and the Grange Stone Circle to find the circle caretaker, Timothy Casey. I met Timothy the last time I was in Ireland-we exchanged postcards. My Irish luck held well as Timothy pulled up in his tractor just as I was thinking of trying the house across the road (he told me last time that he lived just across the road). Here are Timothy & I.

Those who have read my novel know that I have a caretaker for dragons that I named Timothy, after this wonderful gentleman.
Here are a few shots at the stone circle. Guess who made an appearance today?

I just love this stone circle-such magic here, at least for me.
Next, I headed toward my resting place for the night-Doolin, but I stopped in Lehinch and dropped off a book there, then spent some rain-free time at the Cliffs of Moher. Quite different from the last time I saw them.

Today I spent the day driving the Ring of Kerry and Skellig Ring. The landscape was breathtakingly raw with periods of driving rain, showers, mists, and soft sunlight. Here are some photos.

Here is Skellig Michael just before the mists and clouds completely obscure it.

Then I found Staigue Fort, which is a rock fort that is almost 100 ft in diameter with the walls over 12 ft thick and up to 24 ft tall in some areas.

And a panoramic.

This is about an hour before sunset in Cork City.

Tomorrow I leave Cork and the southwest of Ireland for Lough Gur (where one of the Tuatha Dragon Clans resides in The Keepers of Eire), the Cliffs of Moher, and the festive town of Doolin.

I enjoyed my last night in Dublin at The Celt (the same place I was initiated with a bloke’s pint three years ago). Sorry, no such shenanigans this time, but there was another Grayson sighting.

Together we enjoyed a wee pint and some craic (fun).
I left Dublin behind and headed to Ardmore and my book event at The Cliff House Hotel. I set up in their library. While I didn’t read from The Keepers of Eire, I did have a chance to chat with people about the book and my Celtic heritage. Several people bought the book, including one lovely couple from County Cork mere minutes after he proposed in front of St. Declan’s Well.

Here is St. Declan’s Well. Can you find Grayson?

I also presented a signed copy of the book to Linda for the Cliff House Hotel for all their hospitality.

And finally, here are a couple of photos from sunset (around 9:45 p.m.) and moon rise (around 11:15 p.m.) from my room window at Duncrone B & B.

Thank you Liam, Publican at the Palace Bar for being the first in Ireland to purchase my novel, the Keepers of Eire.

Grayson demanded to see a bit of Dublin to this trip, so here he is.

He even hung out with me at The Writers Bar inside my hotel. Of course, I think his favorite was at the Gravity Bar at the Guinness Storehouse.

Check out my shamrock on the top of my Guinness!

I’m off for dinner and some good craic at one of the nearby pubs.

I’ve arrived safe and sound in Dublin, Ireland. After a barely-stamped passport-does that even count?-I reached my hotel, The Gresham. In The Keepers or Eire, I have a couple scenes set in the pub of this beautiful hotel.

It’s cloudy and rainy today, and while out for a brief walk, I got caught in a downpour. Sure wish I could send all this rain to California to help with our drought.
After a brief nap I went out again. At near on 10:00 p.m. And the sun is just setting. Check out these photos of the sunset and the Millenium Spire.

Also, me and a bullet hole on one of the columns at the General Post Office.

I’m off the sleep. Will check in later.