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Ireland 2024

April - May 2024
A 16-day adventure by Sandy Read more
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  • TravelerIreland 2024
    3
    Day 3

    Dublin Day 1

    April 26 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 7 °C

    Our first day in Dublin! We got checked into the Mespil Hotel, had lunch, and walked to the lovely St. Stephens Green Park. It was filled with tulips, irises, and lots of GREEN, along with ponds of ducks, blue herin, and swans! Found Foley's for beef stew and beer, and the waitress surprised me with a Moretti, and Bill with a Guiness. What happens in Ireland, stays in Ireland!Read more

  • TravelerIreland 2024
    Day 3

    Dublin Day 2

    April 26 in Ireland ⋅ ☀️ 9 °C

    Today, we started with the Dublin Castle, although it certainly didn't look like one. We visited Christ Church, a Gothic style, 11th century church. I was taken by the beautiful cloth with the net of fish portraying Jesus telling his disciples to put out their nets. And then to the oldest pub in Dublin, the Brazen Head, for bangars and mash. To end our walk around town, we went to Trinity College, Ireland's most prestigious college. On campus there was a tour of the Book of Kells, which contains the book of four gospels of the Bible. It also holds the oldest surviving Irish harp and is the model for the insignia of Ireland.Read more

  • TravelerIreland 2024
    Day 4

    Dublin Day 3

    April 27 in Ireland ⋅ ☀️ 10 °C

    We're still in Dublin, but kinda done with it, so took a train to Howth, on the Irish Sea, a little weekend getaway for locals. A lovely harbor town, with numerous hiking trails, fish markets, and fish and chips at the 3 generation Beshoff Bros. store.Read more

  • TravelerIreland 2024
    Day 5

    Day 4 Glendalough

    April 28 in Ireland ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C

    Oh...my...goodness...driving! Eeeek! But we made it to Kilkenny after a fun day in Glendalough and driving part of the Sally Gap in the Wicklow Mountains. And we had to see the bridge from the movie "P.S. I Love You."

    In Glendalough, there was a 110-foot round tower, a standard feature in monastic settlements, rising from a tangle of tombstones. Here, too, are ruins of a cathedral. We took a walk through the woods to the very picturesque lower and upper lakes in this area, all a part of the Wicklow Mountains National Park.

    We got to our twin bed room for the night by going up and down 55 steps, with luggage, at the Clubhouse Hotel (formerly a gentlemen's sporting club).    Read more

  • TravelerIreland 2024
    Day 6

    Day 5 Kilkenny Castle

    April 29 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    Had a very interesting tour of the Kilkenny Castle. In addition to the living quarters, there were tapestrys depicting the history of Ireland. They were absolutely gorgeous and so very detailed. Then on to Waterford, but on the way, we had to stop at the "if you visit only one abbey in Ireland, make sure it's this one." Of course, the Jerpoint Abbey is no longer in operation, but a very interesting site.
    It was quite the challenge to find our accommodations in Waterford, and then to find a car park, which was off-site and a 6-minute walk with luggage. I must read all the amenities, or lack thereof, prior to booking. That includes towels, bed linens, private bath, first floor, free parking at rental, etc.    Read more

  • TravelerIreland 2024
    Day 7

    Day 6 Waterford

    April 30 in Ireland ⋅ ☀️ 10 °C

    The Waterford Crystal tour was magnificent! The tradition started back in 1783. We saw them heating, blowing, molding, and cutting crystal into beautiful, extraordinary pieces. So intricate. A craftsman goes through 5-10 years of apprenticeship in order to be perfect. There are "no seconds" of Waterford crystal; every piece is perfect or it's thrown into a bin and remelted into another shape.Read more

  • TravelerIreland 2024
    Day 8

    Day 7 Cobh and Cork

    May 1 in Ireland ⋅ 🌬 10 °C

    A gorgeous day to visit the 800 year old Hook Head Lighthouse. It is the oldest operating lighthouse in the world, formerly tended by monks.
    Next was Cobh, to the Titanic Museum, the spot of the last embarkment of passengers to America. The dilapidated pier was supposedly what was left of the original, which was in front of the terminal. Kinda a hokey tour, actually. BUT! The city was so colorful with the St. Colman's Cathedral standing tall in the background. And upon entering it, we were awestruck with its simple beauty.
    Arrived in the biggest city in southern Ireland, Cork. That's about all it's known for.    Read more

  • TravelerIreland 2024
    Day 9

    Day 8 Rock of Cashel

    May 2 in Ireland ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C

    With a 100% chance of rain, that's what it did all day. In spite of that and the cold and the wind, it was a wonderful visit of the Rock of Cashel, altho mostly from the outside.

    We visited downtown Cork in search of a mall because Bill was determined to get a French Press for "brewing" coffee; instant coffee just isn't cutting it.

    What a riot trying to find streets that aren't marked altho Google says "turn right on Patrick (it's difficult to ever find the street names while driving and navigating!) in 400 meters, woops, missed it," "take the 2nd exit on the roundabout (Bill, look right, stay left)," watch for people crossing the street when they don't have the green light (we do it, too!), and more. I love it when we have 54 kilometers before the next turn...I get a stress relief! The Irish are so friendly and helpful; anyone on the street will stop and take the time to help you with whatever you need. You just have to ask.    Read more

  • TravelerIreland 2024
    Day 10

    Day 9 Kinsale

    May 3 in Ireland ⋅ ☁️ 7 °C

    Awwww, a fresh brewed cuppa. A great way to start a cloudy day.
    Kinsale started with Don & Barry's Kinsale Historic Stroll. The town is so colorful with very narrow streets.
    On to the star-shaped Charles Fort. One of the first things we learned from the guide, you'll see in the photo...Every Journey Begins In Footsteps. It certainly does. Built in the 17th century, the British occupied it until Irish independence in 1922.
    And then we HAD to have the all famous Shirley's Fish and Chips. Her brother is the fisherman, and today the catch was Hake fish... Deeelicious!
    The drive to Kenmare was so delightful for we could finally take in the green, green countryside dotted with sheep. This is how I pictured Ireland; away from the big cities.
    It took us about 2 hours to get into our B&B tonight. Thank goodness for a lovely lady, her daughter, and dog who were passing by and saved us. These Irish folk are wonderful!    Read more

  • TravelerIreland 2024
    Day 11

    Day 10 Ring of Kerry

    May 4 in Ireland ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C

    Every day is like a treasure hunt. Trying to find where Google is sending us, parking, and finding the tour bus to do the Ring of Kerry with Wild Kerry Tours. It was all worth it for we had an exceptional driver with very interesting and fun commentary, plus Irish music, and perfect stops along the way. It started off with a sheep dog demonstration, followed by many photo opportunities of the coastline around the Kerry peninsula that enters the Atlantic Ocean, lunch, and ice cream! The Irish sure love their ice cream...it's everywhere and good!
    We were pleasantly surprised with our accommodations for the view out our back door was extraordinary... backing up to a field with sheep and mountains.    Read more

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