returned from The Shire

Congrats to MetroWeekly's woofy co-founder and contributor Seann Bugg for being a Capital Pride Hero.

The pic at left was taken this Tuesday, by then I was all beat up and sunburnt from the tournament. I was led to believe that Ireland was all cloudy and gloomy, but that was not the case. My tours of the countryside before and after the tournament were relatively free of rain, and I was told by the locals that I totally lucked out on the weather.

Here's a wee Leprechaun I met on the trip who took me on a tour of the lakes and highlands just outside of Dublin:

When I arrived in Ireland I immediately travelled to the Aran Isles to take in the sights. Some of the team had arrived at the tournament site by then as well, and some people wondered where I was: "Where's Jimbo?" To which some sharp-tounged queen responded, "Oh, he's in The Shire practicing his Elvish."

It was indeed like The Shire over in the western half of the island. Did you know they even surf there? Who knew? After meeting some locals and asking about visiting other places steeped in ancient history, I was told I'd already been to the right places, including seeing the ruins of Castle O'Brien and an ancient stone age fort on the edge of spectacular 300' cliffs. I have seen a lot, but Ireland offers so much more. I spent most of my economic stimulus check in Ireland, not exactly what our President had in mind for the money.

Here's St. Kevin's Church in Glendalough. These days you don't need a catapult to storm the castle tower:

The level of play of gay rugby teams from around the world has improved considerably since the first international gay rugby tournament was held in DC. Sydney's play was spectacular, and they won the tournament. My B-side also played Seattle, Chicago and Phoenix. All of us played several matches each day, and it was a test of endurance and constitution by the end of it. Luckily I emerged only with scrapes and bruises. By Sunday the San Francisco Fog B-side needed some extra players, and I was fortunate to play with them as flanker for half of a match.

On Monday I went out on the town with some of the Dublin Emerald Warriors and we danced until 3am. Best. Monday. Night. In. Dublin. Ever. It didn't hurt that the DJ played almost half a dozen Kylie Minogue songs, and I even met the pocket Bear from Bear Force One, who were in Dublin for a performance.

It was a great vacation and I highly recommend a visit. I didn't take any photos during the rugby matches, but I hope to get some from the tournament soon from friends who did take pictures. A full set of the rest of the photos can be viewed here.