The idea of sharing the trip with my parents was definitely the deciding factor. I booked the tickets a little while ago, so I'm going to do it. :)

How are you? Has the heat been affecting Seattle as well? My m-i-l said that it was horrible in Portland there for a while. It's sad when it's cooler in NC than it is in the Pacific Northwest. *shakes head over the vagaries of the weather* The fact that Ireland is cool and green is another big selling point right now.