To make Tim Clark happy, I (Ben) have created a blog post.
I got to spend 10 days in Ireland with my family! We all met at a hotel just outside the airport in Dublin since we were all coming from different places. We used the first day together (travel day) as planning time for the day ahead as we didn’t have set plans. After talking during supper, we decided to try and hit up some of Bailey’s quick things to do in Dublin. We got super lucky with the weather for the entire trip. It was in the mid 60’s and low 70’s the whole time and it only rained once!
I got to spend 10 days in Ireland with my family! We all met at a hotel just outside the airport in Dublin since we were all coming from different places. We used the first day together (travel day) as planning time for the day ahead as we didn’t have set plans. After talking during supper, we decided to try and hit up some of Bailey’s quick things to do in Dublin. We got super lucky with the weather for the entire trip. It was in the mid 60’s and low 70’s the whole time and it only rained once!
Our first stop was Dublin Castle. From there we meandered our way through the city toward the Trinity College Library. This library is the largest in Ireland and is home to the Book of Kells since 1661! Unfortunately, most of the books had been moved to another location due to restoration works so we didn’t pay to go in. After the library, we walked to St. Stephen’s Green where we spent just a few minutes before we realized we had to make our way to the train station.
Once we got to Limerick, we rented cars and I was one of the two drivers. It was strange driving a right-hand drive car on the left side of the road! From here, our next stop was a little town called Doolin on the very western side of the country where we spent three days.
Our first full day here was spent on a trip to the Aran Islands. We decided to spend the entire day riding e-bikes on the biggest island, Inis Mor. Our first stop was to check out Inis Mor’s very own seal colony!
Next, we made our way to Dun Aonghasa, an Iron Age fort at the top of a 100 meter high cliff! We ate lunch and admired the views.
For our final stop, we headed to a place called the Wormhole. This is a naturally made rectangular hole carved in the rocks where you can go cliff diving!
Our next day was a hike along the Cliffs of Moher. Parts of the cliff walk are closed due to unsafe conditions so we made the most of it and hiked as far as we could (about 3 miles) starting in Doolin. The views were spectacular!
The next day we drove from Killarney to a smaller town called Dingle on the Dingle Peninsula. We used this town as a starting point for our driving tour of the peninsula called Slea Head Drive. It is a 24-mile drive along the coast on very skinny roads with lots of turns. It is recommended and requested that all tourists who make the drive complete it in a clockwise direction. This is the same direction as all the coach buses carrying tour groups.
Our last day in Killarney was a relaxing one. We decided to spend half of the day walking part of the Gap of Dunloe and the other half of the day shopping in Killarney for any last-minute souvenirs and gifts we needed to get.
Once we parked at the entrance to the Gap of Dunloe, we saw a sign that stated it is recommended that no cars drive through unless they are locals. Most of the road is one lane with small pull-offs to allow for cars going the opposite direction. We walked along the road for about two miles just to take in the views. I think on this point we were all tired and didn’t mind taking it easy this last full day in Killarney.
We spent one last night in a hotel by the Dublin airport. It was an amazing trip and so I am glad my whole family was able to come!
This is Dublin Castle.
View of St. Stephen's Green
Our first full day here was spent on a trip to the Aran Islands. We decided to spend the entire day riding e-bikes on the biggest island, Inis Mor. Our first stop was to check out Inis Mor’s very own seal colony!
This seal decided to pose for me.
View of the cliffs from inside the fort.
We didn't bring swimsuits so we didn't dive in, but plenty of other people did!
View along the cliffs.
They are hard to see, but all the little black dots are Atlantic Puffins!
Finally, we made it back to Doolin and ate supper while listening to some local traditional Irish music.
The following day, we headed to our next place to stay in Killarney. It was a great city to stay in due to its proximity to the coast and a national park. Our first full day was spent in Killarney National Park and the Muckross Peninsula hiking and checking out some historical sights.
Muckross Abbey: built in 1448. It has a 400-year-old yew tree planted right in the middle.
View of Muckross Lake
Our last stop in Killarney National Park was Torc Waterfall.
On our way back to the Airbnb, we stopped at Ladies View. The name comes from the admiration of the view by Queen Victoria’s ladies-in-waiting during her visit to Ireland in 1861.
First stop was Inch Beach.
As we drove, we saw a sign that said “Pet Baby Lamb” and we obviously had to stop. Turns out they love being scratched behind the ears just like cats and dogs!
This is Gallarus Oratory. It is believed to be Ireland’s best preserved ancient church and was built over 1000 years ago!
Once we parked at the entrance to the Gap of Dunloe, we saw a sign that stated it is recommended that no cars drive through unless they are locals. Most of the road is one lane with small pull-offs to allow for cars going the opposite direction. We walked along the road for about two miles just to take in the views. I think on this point we were all tired and didn’t mind taking it easy this last full day in Killarney.
We spent one last night in a hotel by the Dublin airport. It was an amazing trip and so I am glad my whole family was able to come!
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