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Ireland
  • Sara Withrow

Ireland

A 19-day adventure by Sara Read more
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  • Sara WithrowIrelandTraveler

    Travel day Dingle to Galway

    July 18, 2023 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 68 °F

    Alan Barnes picked us up at 8am for our very packed day. He went over our day with us as we left Dingle. The weather report the night before said terrible, terrible rain for our drive. Alan had even sent me an email the evening before saying he hoped he would be able to see the roads!
    Well, it was 58 degrees and a bit overcast, the ground was wet, but not horrible.
    As we drove, the skies slowly cleared. We had absolutely perfect weather. The best weather day so far! 70 degrees!
    Alan told us about his life in Ireland. His mom was Irish, but he was born in England. They moved back to Ireland in 1964. At that time, the country was very poor. They lived with his grandma and had no electricity, no running water and no flush toilets. Every Friday we would get water bucket by bucket from the village well and walk back to take to fill their water tank. He hated Fridays.
    He had many stories to share, explained history of the area, and was a pure joy to be with.    Read more

  • Sara WithrowIrelandTraveler

    13 Merchant Rd Airbnb

    July 18, 2023 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 68 °F

    Our airbnb in Galway was in a great location! Easy walking to Eyre Square and The Latin Quarter. Our hostess, Marie, was very sweet. A talker and a hugger. The accommodations were so cute and tastefully decorated. The only thing was there was no common room. Since it was 4 bedrooms, we simply all hung out in one room.
    Our breakfast was included. But after the first morning, we declined the next two. Mom and I ate some weird breakfast casserole with peas, corn, spinach, egg and potatoes. It was not for us.
    All in all, a great spot!    Read more

  • Sara WithrowIrelandTraveler
    1

    Eyre Square

    July 19, 2023 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 61 °F

    A fun little area in the heart of Galway. The arts festival is going on now. The Irish truly use their parks and grass areas for relaxation. Love it!
    You do have to pay to use the public toilets. We had an Irish Coffee this morning while waiting for the free walking tour to start. It was delish!
    The flags represent the 14 original clans that founded Galway. Unlike the east side of Ireland, where the Vikings invaded and made ports, this side was invaded by the Normans. Lots and lots of history here.    Read more

  • Sara WithrowIrelandTraveler

    Laughter Loft

    July 19, 2023 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 64 °F

    We saw a comedy show here today. It was...ok. That's all I'm gonna say about that.
    Also, there were cameras in the bathroom. Not in the stalls, but still. Weird.

  • Sara WithrowIrelandTraveler
    1

    Salthill

    July 19, 2023 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 64 °F

    We took a taxi to the promenade. We went to the casinos. We had linner. We walked the beach and watched all the Irish taking their evening swim. Mom met a friend on the beach while Cory and I walked. Her new friend felt very comfortable with his body. Actually, it is apparent that American's are just kind of prudish about the naked body.
    Truly, the water was warm enough to swim. Mind the jellies.    Read more

  • Sara WithrowIrelandTraveler

    Galway #1

    July 19, 2023 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 66 °F

    Galway is a fun city, full of art, food and music. We walked all around and listened to music playing on the streets. We did a free walking tour, which was a bust. I had a Butler's Chocolate hot cocoa, and it was the best in my life. We people watched. We had a late second dinner one night and had the best fried rice and yakisoba noodles ever. We had the worst dumplings of our life on the last night at a little Asian restaurant right by the Spanish Arch. So gross, yet we were so hungry that we forced ourselves to eat them.
    Full of fun, Galway is a great city!
    I will do a couple posts of pictures.    Read more

  • Sara WithrowIrelandTraveler
    11

    Galway Cookery Class

    July 20, 2023 in Ireland ⋅ ☁️ 59 °F

    *Original*
    I thought this would be so cool! Learning to make Irish Stew and soda bread.
    We had to take a taxi to this woman's house. It was about 30 minutes.
    We got there, and what I thought was a private cooking class turned out to be shared with another group.
    Ok. I'll go with it.
    The lady, Kate, was kind of a nut case. She reminded me of a cliché Sprite (supernatural entity in European mythology) in human form. She was tiny, kind of bucked toothish, and just flighty. I had a vision of a little sprite with wings just flying all around, slapping us on the hands if we did something wrong. Lol.
    She did get a bit upset at one of the ladies for putting the carrots in the wrong pot.
    No clear direction. Nothing laid out. She didn't instruct, instead she plopped things in front of you and walked away. It was chaotic.
    The good things:
    1. She had us pick potatoes and herbs from the garden
    2. The stew was good
    3. Cory had a great time

    Cory had a blast cooking the meat and wearing an apron. He enjoys being in the kitchen and talking to the ladies.

    Our stew was good. We didn't get to eat our bread, instead brought 3 loaves home. It will be our evening snack tonight.

    Our cab driver was so kind. He waited in town for us and took us back to Galway. Our conversations were great.
    Tonight I had booked dinner and a show at Bunratty Castle. At the time, I had planned on us having our own car. Due to transportation issues (not having our own car and not wanting to ride 2 or more hours on a bus) we will be hanging around in Galway. No refunds on the tickets, so I transferred the credit to our first driver, Vera. Her and her kids will have a blast!
    It all looked good on paper, but just didn't make sense now. Oh well. You win some and loose some.

    *UPDATE*
    The bread was so fecking gross! All 3 loaves. They tasted like wallpaper. We carried those around like they were the baby Jesus. We went and bought pads of butter, excitedly talking amongst ourselves about the delish loaves of bread we had awaiting us at home.
    The bread now resides in the the garbage. I literally ate a pad of butter to remove the taste of the bread from my mouth. We have tossed the recipes. How did this woman win awards?    Read more

  • Sara WithrowIrelandTraveler

    Cong Abbey

    July 21, 2023 in Ireland ⋅ 🌧 59 °F

    We got to see some of the areas where The Quiet Man was filmed! Such a cute town. I love the quote on the plaque. One of the pictures shows the fishing pole from where the priest was fishing when the big fight broke out.
    We also drove the grounds of Ashford Castle. Oh my! I wish we could have stayed there. But at $2500 per room, per night....not possible.    Read more

  • Sara WithrowIrelandTraveler

    Knock Shrine

    July 21, 2023 in Ireland ⋅ ☁️ 59 °F

    We stopped at Knock Shrine, which is really an important site to Catholics. I'll tell ye a story:
    A long time ago, 15 farmers saw an image of Mother Mary and a lamb, and something else...oh! angels!...on a wall. Some priests came and interviewed these randos and confirmed it must have happened. A Shrine was built.
    Catholics would make pilgrimages each year to see this Shrine. Then, in the 70's, the Pope came.
    The monument that was built claims the visit from the Pope was the second most important thing to happen to the Irish. The first...the coming of St. Patrick in the early 600's. So, as you can see, we had to be on our best behavior here.
    I even dipped my savage finger in the Holy water before I did the sign of the cross.
    I have lived to tell this tale. So, maybe this is a place of miracles?    Read more

  • Sara WithrowIrelandTraveler

    Glencar Waterfall

    July 21, 2023 in Ireland ⋅ 🌧 57 °F

    It is so cute how proud Ireland is of their tiny waterfalls.
    We, well myself, enjoyed a very quick stroll to this waterfall in the pouring rain.
    Then we went to the tea shop for a sandwich. It was raining even harder when we were done. I can imagine how fecking gorgeous this area is in the sun! Or even in just overcast skies.Read more

  • Sara WithrowIrelandTraveler

    Donegal Castle

    July 21, 2023 in Ireland ⋅ 🌧 59 °F

    We stopped in Donegal City in the torrential downpour. It was cute to see all the people huddled under awnings. Silly.
    We stopped at a pub where we were the only Americans. It smelled of dirty rags, and they used 2 colors of balls on the pool table. Yellow and red. Not even numbered. One of the workers was in lowrise sweatpants and a crop top. I thought she was a bum. But no, she worked there.
    After the drink, we went over to Donegal Castle, an OPW site.
    This castle was so cool! One of our favorites!!
    On our way back to the carpark, we ran into a music store so I could get a gift for someone. That someone is my brother, who took my 15 year old out on his motorcycle, even though myself and Cory have expressly forbade him to do so. The gift is for his daughter. It's an Irish tin whistle and a book for her to learn how to play all the tunes.
    The rain was fun. We laughed about how much it was raining. Laughed and laughed.    Read more

  • Sara WithrowIrelandTraveler

    Pyke n' Pommes

    July 21, 2023 in Northern Ireland ⋅ 🌧 59 °F

    Our driver, Deirdre, recommended this restaurant, and we all agree that it was one of the best meals!
    We each had a burger and fries. The burgers were Waygu beef, and the fries were nice and crispy.
    It was a short, 10 minute walk from our hotel. However, Derry is built on a hill. The walk back was a bit more challenging.
    We wanted to stop at a cute pub on the way back, but it was too crowded. Dang it!    Read more

  • Sara WithrowIrelandTraveler

    Bishop's Gate Hotel

    July 22, 2023 in Northern Ireland ⋅ ☁️ 59 °F

    A cute apartment right in the heart of Derry! I think we all agree that 2 nights would have been ideal.
    Fun fact: The hotel used to be a "Gentleman's Club" and Red, our driver, used to go swing on the door as a kid and the bouncer guy would bop them upside the head. When the hotel bought the crumbling building, they kept the revolving door!Read more

  • Sara WithrowIrelandTraveler

    Derry City Wall

    July 22, 2023 in Northern Ireland ⋅ ☁️ 59 °F

    Mom and I got up and walked the Derry Wall. Pretty cool. It's about a mile around, and served the purpose of protecting the city in the 1600's. It served the purpose of keeping the Catholics out in the 1900's.Read more

  • Sara WithrowIrelandTraveler

    Bishop's View

    July 22, 2023 in Northern Ireland ⋅ ☁️ 63 °F

    A super cool guy back in the long time ago liked a beautiful young woman. It took like 3 days for him to visit her because of the distance, traveling over water and mountains. So, being from a wealthy family like many bishop's were, he built the first bridge in Derry. He proceeded to build a road to her. We stopped at Bishop's View, and while I don't recall the significance, I assume this was where he might have started to regret his life choices.
    Anywho...he ends up building her a huge house AND a LIBRARY on the coast. It's not at this stop. It's at Ballintoy, which is still very far away,which is why I assume he is regretting his choice .
    Also on my way up (no one else wanted to go), a lady was walking down and said "I was told the view is beautiful " and I laughed and said apparently not today.    Read more

  • Sara WithrowIrelandTraveler
    1

    Downhill Strand

    July 22, 2023 in Northern Ireland ⋅ 🌧 63 °F

    A beautiful beach....so we were told. Just kidding! It's really pretty even in the rain.
    Remember when I said that the Bishop built his woman a library in Ballintoy? I lied. It was here.
    Oh! Some of Game of Thrones was filmed here.Read more

  • Sara WithrowIrelandTraveler

    Dunlace Castle

    July 22, 2023 in Northern Ireland ⋅ 🌧 63 °F

    Guess what! A castle ruin! Yay!
    This was so pretty. If I were to invade a country, I would for sure build my castle on the coast.
    Mom had a great question. All these floors are cobble stone. How did the soldiers run to defend?
    Well....
    They wore sandals.
    And the cobblestones we walked on, while original, have been rearranged to be EASIER to walk on. They knew all the rough places and it helped with defense if there was a siege. But most conflict was handled in a specific field to keep the civilians safe.    Read more

  • Sara WithrowIrelandTraveler

    Bushmills

    July 22, 2023 in Northern Ireland ⋅ 🌧 63 °F

    We didn't book a tour. But we decided to stop anyway. Cory had the premium flight. Mom and I had a whiskey cosmo....it was soooo tasty!
    Cory said the 12 year aged was his favorite!
    We were going to buy some as gifts. But the rules for traveling were too much. Sorry!Read more

  • Sara WithrowIrelandTraveler

    Giants Causeway

    July 22, 2023 in Northern Ireland ⋅ 🌧 61 °F

    This was a stop I was really looking forward to. I thought Cory would LOVE it.
    The weather was not on our side.
    A huge swale came in.
    We walked down through the pouring sideways rain and wind. We overcame slippery rocks. Most importantly, we only waited for 4 busses to go back up.
    It was like January rain. I was very grateful for my Vessi shoes as my feet stayed 100% dry. But my choice of denim...nope. Even mom's rain pants did not hold up. It was still very majestic. Such unique formations! That's why it's a UNESCO site!    Read more

  • Sara WithrowIrelandTraveler

    Free Derry Walking Tour

    July 22, 2023 in Northern Ireland ⋅ 🌧 59 °F

    Red took us on a very somber tour of The Troubles and Bloody Sunday.
    Red was 17 during Bloody Sunday and was in the March. But he and his friends heard the gunfire and got out.
    The stories he shared and the history learned was impactful for us all. I was teary-eyed.
    The biggest takeaway is this:
    The Troubles were not about religion. It's many, many years of British oppression, compiled with the Easter Rising in 1916, then the Partition in 1922, topped with the poor treatment of Catholics. Basically the Catholics and Protestants (the lower class were treated just as horrible as all the Catholics) got together and started a civil movement for equal rights in 1969. Things like jobs and housing to be equal and fair for all. If you were Catholic or a low class Protestant, you had slum housing and no job, or maybe you had a job, but you were paid at a lower rate. These poor conditions were the straws that broke the camel's back. There was so much more than religion involved.
    Don't talk about Margaret Thatcher in Northern Ireland. They despise her. She claimed there was no war during the Troubles. Why did the British government send army tanks in and armed men? Lots to unpack.
    There is peace now. But the Brexit issue has definitely caused some flare-up.    Read more

  • Sara WithrowIrelandTraveler

    The Merchant Hotel

    July 23, 2023 in Northern Ireland ⋅ 🌧 55 °F

    Wow! We lived like Kings and Queens here! A beautiful hotel. When we checked in, we instantly felt out of place. When we went to the bar to get a drink on our way to our rooms, and we definitely looked like poor people. Lol!
    The beds were so comfy, and the blackout blinds worked really well!
    Our room was haunted. The first night the motion light went on for no reason!
    I have ran these two ragged. We were knackered. So night one, we walked to the store, got some liquor and snacks and went back to our rooms. After jammies, we met in our room to play games, order room service and drink.
    We canceled our black cab tour for the next day because no one wanted to sit in a car for 3 hours.
    The room service was to die for! Yum! Cory even ate the truffle Mac n' cheese!
    We played dice and 31, then off to bed.
    We all slept in, which felt devine. We went to breakfast, and this was one of those places where they put your napkin in your lap for you.
    After our Titanic trip, we came back to the hotel to enjoy the roof top hot tub and sauna. Lovely! Just what we needed!
    We ordered Uber Eats for dinner and went to bed at 8! So lame! Hahaha! So we really saw nothing of Belfast.
    We slept in again, had breakfast, and Red picked us up for our last night in Ireland.    Read more

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