In March, around the time of St Patrick's Day, the Shan clan decamped for Bunratty Folk Park, one of our favourite family haunts. They had added attractions to celebrate our world-famous holiday, and first to cross our paths was Darby O'Gill (friend and drinking companion of the Little People), who kindly posed for a photo with Dante, Gaia and me.

Also in the park were the creepiest-looking Mickey and Minnie Mouse that I have ever seen!! Gaia LOVES people in costumes, and goes wild with joy whenever she spots someone in a Disney outfit, or even just some random, less glamorous costume. But even she was unsure of these two guys, as you can tell by her expression in the two photos -- "What the HELL...?!?"

Sandwiched between the two snaps of (Edvard Munch's!!) Mickey and Minnie Mouse, we also strolled through the park's fairy garden, where Dante decided to perch on a tree stump, in the hope that the fey folk would mistake him for one of their own and spirit him away from his mean old Dad!!! :-)