Our first trip to Ireland was full of excitement, anticipation, beauty, 40 shades of green and history. Oh, yes, and plenty of laughing.
We asked friends for advice on how to best attack this storied land. Dublin, Galway, Limerick, Adare,, Dingle, Killarney, and Cork received the most votes. So we decided to spend four days in Dublin (turned out to be 1 day too long for us). Then we’d cowboy-up, rent a car (seriously, driving in Ireland, shifting with the left hand on the “otherside of the road, on narrow lanes, dodging sheep and cattle?), and head toward Galway working our way down to the Cliffs of Moher (we were told they were not to be missed), then Dingle and The Ring of Kerry, over to Limerick and Adare (which my sister visited 1 year ago and loved), then to Cork if time permitted.
As with most of our “seat of the pants” touring, changes come often and swiftly. While visiting a tourist office in Dublin a young man suggested the following:
- Go to Bantry in County Cork. It is not only a small town (our favorite) and beautiful but also has easy access to many attractions that rival some of the best known and most crowded tourist stops.
- Avoid the Ring of Kerry at all costs unless following behind busses inhaling exhaust and dodging wobbly bicyclist is a passion of yours. This was underlined by ever local we asked.
- Drive the back roads as often as possible (set your Google Maps to avoid highways and tolls). Be prepared for roads that are barely passable by 1 vehicle, let alone 2 or farm vehicles, and look for Mohawk roads which have grass growing down the middle.
Dublin
Trinity College
While in Dublin we stayed in a small accomodation at Trinity College, founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I.


Today, one of the main attractions of Trinity is The Book of Kells, an illuminated manuscript Gospel book in Latin, containing the four Gospels of the New Testament. It was created in a Columban monastery in either Britain or Ireland and may have had contributions from various Columban institutions from both Britain and Ireland. It is believed to have been created c. 800 AD. We were a bit disappointed in that only 2 pages of the Book is on display. Each day a “protector” of the Book with hands covered with archival gloves turns the page and another two pages goes on display for that day. This system helps to protect the Book.


Walking Temple Bar
If you have never been to Ireland, as we had not, you’ll be tempted to go to Temple Bar for the Guinness Experience. According to virtually every Irish person we met, DO NOT BE FOOLED.

First, Temple Bar is a retail section of the city, not actually a bar. Most Irish will not go there as it is for tourists and the prices for just about everything is higher than elsewhere.

Merrion Square
A residential section of Dublin, this area is beautiful. The garden is meticulous and has a whimsical and relaxing statue of Oscar Wilde, an Irish Poet and Playwright and student at Trinity.

Along The River





Ennis and Adare







Bantry
Four days of Dublin was plenty. We set off for Bantry, in County Cork, John’s homeland on his mother’s side.
Everything we had been told about Cork and Bantry in particular was spot on.





Durrow & Sheep’s Head











Before leaving Bantry we have to give a big shout out to Maureen and Pete Farreley, our Airbnb hosts. They made our stay a barrel of laughs. Each morning we would gather around the breakfast table chatting about everything from my ancestors (the O’Driscolls who were/are “Tinkers” — gypsies ) to President Trump, Brexit, Irish football, Cork vs Kerry and laugh until our sides hurt. Thanks Maureen and Pete, we’ll see you soon. Here is to keeping our fingers crossed that your favorite team comes out on top on Saturday September 14.
Baltimore








We could go on and on about how much we enjoyed the beauty of the Irish countryside and the people. We will return for sure. Hopefully as pet sitters. In the meantime, each time we raise a pint we’ll be thinking about the 40 shades of green that astonished us each day in Ireland.
Thanks for joining us on the road.
Bev & John
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Caring for two dogs in a small village in a foreign country
can be daunting. But, not for us. We have done it before,
As International Trusted House Sitters we get to make
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Wow, your photos look absolutely amazing and sounds like you had a great time exploring Ireland and managed to see quite a good few places. Thanks for sharing and safe travels 😀
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Thank you for the kind comment. And, yes, we had a wonderful time in Ireland. We have long hesitated to visit Ireland because of the weather, cold and rainy. Being from Arizona, we are used to heat and sun. Much to our delight, the weather was enjoyable, a lovely departure from that which we are accustomed.
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