July 2017: a day in dublin before a week in western ireland
Day 1: Dublin
The good news was that the weather in Dublin was 77 degrees and sunny. The bad news was that I was sick as a dog for our one day in the city. I powered through as much as I could and I'd say we still got to see quite a bit.
Day 2: Ballyportry Castle
After two train rides, we reached Limerick and met up with the rest of the family. After a stop in Ennis for groceries, we were off to our lodging for the week: a 15th century castle.
After two train rides, we reached Limerick and met up with the rest of the family. After a stop in Ennis for groceries, we were off to our lodging for the week: a 15th century castle.
Day 3: Cliffs of Moher
A truly Irish day: exploring the Cliffs of Moher, getting hit by a car trying to pass us on a very narrow road (as we were turning into our driveway, nonetheless), and singing traditional music at the local pub in Corofin.
A truly Irish day: exploring the Cliffs of Moher, getting hit by a car trying to pass us on a very narrow road (as we were turning into our driveway, nonetheless), and singing traditional music at the local pub in Corofin.
Day 4: The Burren
A short hike to the Cathair Chomain stone fort, built around 800 AD, before a trip back to Shannon Airport to report the accident on the rental car....
A short hike to the Cathair Chomain stone fort, built around 800 AD, before a trip back to Shannon Airport to report the accident on the rental car....
Day 5: Dingle Peninsula
It was a particularly rainy day, but we still enjoyed a bus tour around Dingle with a tour guide who was quite interested in telling us about the Star Wars movies filmed there.
It was a particularly rainy day, but we still enjoyed a bus tour around Dingle with a tour guide who was quite interested in telling us about the Star Wars movies filmed there.
Day 6: Aran Islands
My sister Caitlin turned the big 3-5, so we took a ferry to the Aran Islands and did a bus tour with a particularly interesting driving to the Dun Aengus fort on Inishmore.
My sister Caitlin turned the big 3-5, so we took a ferry to the Aran Islands and did a bus tour with a particularly interesting driving to the Dun Aengus fort on Inishmore.
Day 7: Gryffindor Common Room, Ballyportry Castle
A much needed rest day at the castle.
A much needed rest day at the castle.
Day 8: The Burren and Doolin
A morning "hike" on the rocks of The Burren before heading to Doolin for a boat ride below the Cliffs of Moher
A morning "hike" on the rocks of The Burren before heading to Doolin for a boat ride below the Cliffs of Moher