the oldest living dead man

day 3 included a gorgeous drive north to galway... frost in the trees, rows and rows forever of rock walls, mass at the cathedral, hero farting at a pin-drop moment during mass.... then proclaiming "i farted!!" while that pin-drop moment still lingered. after we finished laughing, we drove further north to knock, a small village that houses ireland's national shrine. One of the few church-approved apparitions happened here in 1879 when the Blessed Virgin, St John and St Joseph appeared to 15 of the villagers at the back wall of the church. needless to say, it was pretty overwhelming to be there and to imagine what it must have been like for the people of knock to see something so incredible in their tiny, obscure little town.
we lingered in the chapel awhile... then headed home for dinner at our new favorite local place- aunty lena's. new discoveries include a love for mushed peas and towel-warming racks!