Ireland 2015

OK, so it's been awhile since we posted. I'm going to go back to our Ireland trip in 2015 and work on bringing it forward to our most recent trip in 2016.

IRELAND

March 13 - March 23

2015

We took off from Richmond and had a layover in Boston before beginning our overnight flight into Dublin. We were immediately tossed into our little Versa car and sent out into the big, bad world of Ireland....on the wrong side of the car and the wrong side of the road, going the wrong way on the roundabouts. Good thing we pre-loaded the GPS for all of our stops!

We checked into the Hilton Kilmainham...great choice! Our first meal in Ireland was a 45 minute walk from our hotel into town and the oldest pub in Ireland - The Brazen Head. Pure heaven. It was established in 1198. Billy had the bangers and mash and I had the beef and Guinness stew. This would wind up being the best meal on our trip.

We wandered into Temple Bar and across the River Liffey and started our new Irish tradition of coffee and a pastry in the afternoon. The Ha'Penny Bridge was the perfect spot to stop and watch a sculling match between Dublin College and Trinity College.

The second day in Dublin started with the Kilmainham Gaol. What an excellent tour and experience! The HoHo Bus took us back into town and with the St. Patrick's Day festivities beginning, we had a great time watching all the kids enjoy the Dublin Big Day Out.

We ventured to St. Patrick's Cathedral, the Dublin Castle and Christ Church Cathedral. Until you see these structures in person, you can't imagine their grace and age.

St. Patrick's Cathedral

Dublin Castle

Christ Church Cathedral

After a pint in Temple Bar, we walked about an hour and a half back to the hotel because we were not on the road we were supposed to be on.....hmmm....brings back memories of NYC with my sister somehow.

Day 3 puts us in the car and our first real experience with driving. Billy did an awesome job the whole trip. Dublin in the rearview mirror leads to nothing but country and green out of your windshield. Sheep, cows and stone walls mark the countryside as far as you can see!

We arrived in the most mideval town on Ireland, Kilkenny. It was a delight. Very charming and old world. The Kilkenny Castle was a great tour and we were amazed at the history and work within those walls.

Kilkenny Castle

After lunch at Matt the Millers, we walked to St. Canice's Cathedral and walked the graveyard. The oldest headstone that I could make out was from 702...the rest were so worn from rain and time that they were just blank with small indentations.

Matt the Millers

St. Canice's Cathedral

Kilkenny

The Butter Slip - butter stored here in the alley as it was perfect temp

We headed to Waterford shortly after our tour through the town and took the ferry to the Waterford Castle. This would be our home for the night, and what a treat it was! We stayed in the 3rd floor walk-up called The Hurst Room. Greatest bathroom!!

Ferry to the castle island

We walked the island and saw pheasant and deer the size of cows, which we would learn later on, was the average size here! Amazing dinner and then we shared drinks in the library with a lovely couple from Cork.

Day 4 and we have an early start to Killarney - it's St. Patrick's Day!!! We have a parade and town festivities to catch! Awesome drive through the southern end of the country and we decide that this area will consume our next trip here.

We made the parade in Killarney! Tons of family life here! Everyone is either knocked-up or toting/pushing a kid around. Whew - they are busy here! We determine that the "garda" (police) are not very threatening here (nor do they need to be)....just think Pink Panther or Hot Fuzz.

WAYYY to many pix to post of the parade...

We had our late lunch with the locals at Murphy's Pub....food was forgetful, the locals were delightful. We love them.

Day 5 puts us aimlessly wandering the Ring of Kerry. We start with Torc waterfall and are the only ones in sight. Stunning. The whole Ring was beautiful and we pulled off here and there for photos and to take it all in.

Ring of Kerry (General) (We only did a quarter of the Ring)

We found the town of Kenmare, fell in love(AGAIN) and bought some fresh cheese, olives, bread and salami at their outdoor daily market. We are off to the Muckross House and plan to picinic on the lawn. Beautiful spot and delish lunch!!

Kenmare

Muckross House

Day 6 is our road to Galway, spotted here and there by incredible stops and experiences. We drove via the Wild Atlantic Way and crossed the River Shannon by ferry. We stopped at the Cliffs of Moher and were awestruck by the raw land and water and lack of any type of protection. What a crazy, scary, beautiful afternoon.

Wild Atlantic Way

Cliffs of Moher

We head into Galway and we were expecting to LOVE it here. It was fine - more of a city like Dublin, but not as much charm for me. Our hotel here was wonderful and that and our day the next day make this a great stop for us!

Day 7 is Cong and Ashford Castle. We have reservations to attend the School of Falconry, and I have a date with a hawk and a stud of an owl named Dingle. Best. Experience. Ever. (to include my swimming with the dolphins). (Side note - the first solar eclipse in 15 years in Ireland happened on our way! AWESOME!!)

Drove back to hotel and got a cab into Galway for some wandering and lunch before calling it quits.

Day 8 is Billy's Day Off. Wild Atlantic Way Tours were in charge today. We followed Galway Bay into the Connemara. On the way to Clifden, we stopped in Roundstone and Dog Bay Beach. Today is full of beautiful. We followed the Sky Road to Clifden for lunch and we found our new jeweler here. I've since ordered from them and are thrilled with what they offer!

Tidal shift from the eclipse!

Kylemore Abbey was our next stop. We didn't do the tour, but just the visit and sights were awesome. We headed back to Galway for a pint, then back to the hotel. Tomorrow is our last day in Ireland. Not happy.

Day 9 and we are off back toward Dubin and on to Howthe. Not much to see on this road, but there would be a beautiful area on the other side! Howthe is a great little resort town outside of Dublin. We enjoyed their Sunday market and had lunch at The Brass Monkey before heading out to the summit and cliffs. The hike is full of yellow-flowered thistle and quite the trek. The cliffs have blowing green wavy grass and then you hit the stone and the Irish Sea. What a picture!

Our evening at the hotel, and our last night in Ireland led to the most drinking we had done in one spot on the trip - 3 pints each! Watch out party peeps!

Day 10 is sadly off to the States.....but we will be back....soon. (and one day for good)