I close my eyes and picture the emerald of the sea
From the fishing boats at Dingle to the shores of Dunardee
I miss the river Shannon and the folks at Skibbereen
The moorlands and the midlands with their forty shades of green
~”Forty Shades of Green” by Johnny Cash
A year ago today was our first full day of a three week trip from the U. S. to Ireland and Scotland. One day as we toured the Ring of Kerry in Ireland, Dennis, our tour guide, played this Johnny Cash song for us.
I remembered the song this morning as I was thinking about our trip. Johnny Cash wrote it in 1959 while he was in Ireland.
We saw at least forty shades of green (and probably more) as we traveled around the beautiful Emerald Isle.





Here is Johnny Cash singing ‘Forty Shades of Green.’
I don’t know when we’ll be able to travel again but until then, I have my wonderful memories.
Your timing sure was good by visiting last year. Beautiful photos of a memorable trip!
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Thanks Ingrid. So glad we went when we did. As we both have aged we have learned not to put off trips like that. The other trip I’m glad we didn’t put off was our Alaska RV trip in 2013. We just decided we don’t know what the future will bring so let’s just do it. As it turns out, if we hadn’t gone then we probably wouldn’t have been able to do it. Same thing with the Ireland trip. Those are the two most memorable trips I’ve ever made.
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Wonderful post and tying in Johnny Cash to Ireland. That video is a treat with June singing and Kris Kristofferson singing and playing. Ireland and Scotland are #1 on my bucket list and I have yet to get out of the US. Maybe in a couple of years we will be able to go. Thank you for sharing what I’ve only dreamed of seeing. 🙂
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Lisa, thank you for your comment. I really hope you will be able to make a trip to Ireland and Scotland one day. Until then keep on exploring our beautiful United States. There is a lifetime of things to see here!
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We were supposed to go to Mount Rainer this year but not now. I wasn’t quite ready to retire but look forward to when I can do what y’all have been doing.
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Fun post! Love the lamb!
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You do not know what a smile you brought with this post. I can close my eyes and see the same sights, and there are definitely more shades of green than anyone who hasn’t been there can imagine. Thank you for the great memories.
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Judy, you are so welcome! I’m happy I could bring a smile to your face. I agree – everything was so much better than I imagined it would be.
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So beautiful!The castle makes me think of all of the history there. I hope to go someday. Thanks for sharing.
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Aren’t you glad you went last year! Beautiful captures of a beautiful place!
That castle! But that lamb is tooooo cute!
We hope to get there one day!
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Beautiful photos. Thank you for the great memories of Ireland. I visited Ireland a few years ago. It was foggy on the day we went to the Cliffs of Moher so we couldn’t see much. Hope to be back and see the cliffs on a nice day.
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Thank you Natalie. We were very lucky to be at the Cliffs of Moher on a clear day. I hope you will be able to return one day.
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Your images reinforce my personal image of Ireland having a green and peaceful countryside. I would love to visit someday. Any European holidays for us will have to wait at least a year, I think. Beautiful captures.
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Now there’s a castle Billy and I would love to explore!
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Love your pictures. Reminds me of when I visited Ireland many years ago. Had another trip planned for this summer but guess it will have to wait a little. Your pics were the next best thing
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Thanks Denise! Hard to believe it’s been a whole year since we were there.
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It is so sad but it seems that our travel memories are all we will have for a while. Your photos are a lovely reminder of that beautiful country.
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Yes, I realize now more than ever not to put things off.
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Oh so wonderful: thanks for sharing!
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Thank you! Thanks for stopping by my blog.
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Tou’re welcome! 🙂
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