Day 2 Belfast Northern Ireland Saturday 30th June 2012

My flight left Perth for Dubai on time at 10.30 pm. It was 10 and a half hours in duration and I managed to get some broken sleep. We arrived at Dubai at 5.30 am to a very hot 32 degrees which was amazing really given it was so early in the morning. By the time I found Gate 206 it was time to board my flight to Dublin. Duabi Airport is an incredible sight with so many people and so many flights leaving at this early hour. The duty free shops went for miles and miles. My flight to Dublin was 8 hours and was a very uncomfortable journey without any sleep, a full plane of passengers and extremely small seats. It was wonderful to see the coastline of Ireland and was a most welcome sight indeed..I finally made it to the bus that would take me to Newry Northern Ireland to meet cousin Mary for the first time. The bus trip took an hour from Dublin and as we pulled up I could see Mary there waiting. The rain started to fall slightly but that did not deter our emotional hugs and screams as we came together for the very first time. Mary then drove us to Belfast which took about an hour stopping to pick up some supplies for our apartment . The apartment is fabulous and is situated directly across the street from the PRONI - could not be more perfect. I am very tried so must close this blog now but will add some thoughts tomorrow about Belfast,

Day 1  Perth Western Australia Friday 29th June 2012.

My departure day has finally arrived. I would like to thank my wonderful husband, Dave and my two fantastic sons, Ben and Nick for their love and support without which this journey could not take place. My flight leaves Perth this evening at 10.30pm heading for Dubai - 10 hours duration and I hope to sleep most of the way. I will be in transit at Dubai for 1 hour then board my flight to Dublin which is 8 hours arriving into Dublin at 12.15pm their time. Then its onto the express bus to Newry where my lovely cousin, Mary will meet me at the bus station. This will be a special moment in time for our McGuigan family as we come together after 160 years - better get my tissues ready! Mary and I will then drive an hour to Belfast where we have rented an apartment in the Titanic Quarter for a few days to undertake research at the Public Records Office of Northern Ireland. The next post I will do will be from Belfast to let you know how the flights went and describe the emotional meeting in Newry. Slán go fóill (goodbye for now in Gaelic)

It is now a little over 2 weeks until I leave Perth Western Australia for Ireland. After 2 years of planning my date of departure is almost here. To say that I can't wait is an understatement! I want to write this blog for those Aussie McGuigan's who had hoped to make the journey with me but for some reason or another cannot. Hopefully you will feel like you are there with me every step of the way as I plan to make this blog interesting, informative and fun. For those Irish relations following you will certainly get to know me before we meet at our Grand Reunion in Maghera. Thanks for following.