Ireland, also known as the Emerald Isle, is a picturesque island. Renowned for its lush green landscapes, rich history, and vibrant culture, appreciation for music, both old and new.
The Irish people are known for their friendliness and love of craic (good times), making it a welcoming and memorable destination for travelers from around the world.
We arrive into Dublin airport, traveling light we breeze through customs and meet Paul in the arrivals area. He greets us and takes us to the truck. Before we jump in, he brings out cold champagne as a welcome drink…. We of course enjoy it and head out of the airport.
Fureys Pub
It’s about lunch time, so our first stop is, stopping in a Pub, sitting on the patio, and of course, one must order a Guinness!
From that point on, Guinness everyday!
Kilbeggan Whiskey Distillery Next stop – Whiskey! Yes, after a long flight, Whiskey makes sense. Oldest Licensed Distillery in Ireland
Quick stop at a historic area Clonmacnoise Monastic Site
St Ciarán founded his monastery on the banks of the River Shannon in the 6th Century. The monastery flourished and became a great seat of learning, a University of its time with students from all over Europe.
The ruins include a Cathedral, two round Towers, three high crosses, nine Churches and over 700 Early Christian graveslabs.
The original high crosses, including the magnificent 10th century Cross of the Scriptures area on display in a purpose built visitor centre adjacent the monastic enclosure. (From: https://heritageireland.ie/places-to-visit/clonmacnoise-monastic-site/ )
Claremorris, Ireland
We make it to the ‘Farm’, our home for the next 7 days. Gorgeous views of the countryside. All the sheep are excited to see us! Then they go back to eating. LOL
Paul, Sarah, John and Ellen are our hosts, Paul has a pub (Paddy’s) setup in the Barn downstairs from where we are staying. Paul has decorated with all kinds of memorabilia. Our first drink there is Guinness on Tap! (but of course).
Paul is a history teacher most of the year, but during the summers he works as a tour guide, which is where I met him in 2022, he was the guide and driver for a 3 day tour I took to Northern Ireland, he was such a great guide and person that I kept in touch with him, and reached out when I was planning this trip. He put a great unique Ireland experience for us, quite a few spots that are not touristy and only a local would know to visit.
Sarah, his wife is a Vet, very lovely person! Kids were awesome as well, so sweet. One evening Paul cooked for us and Ellen baked dessert. We had a traditional Irish stew meal.
We have a night cap each evening at Paddy’s! Paul & Sarah are Amazing hosts. Sarah is busy with taking care of all the animals in the nearby areas, she is a vet, but one evening she joins us at Paddy’s and we get to know each other.
The Farm is close to the town of Claremorris in the county of Mayo.
Short ride into town, we counted 11 pubs (we went to all of them in the 7 days!), each day we end up in the town, we have dinner and hit a pub or two before returning to the farm and Paddys for the night cap.
Next day, we wake up head out after some eggs and toast (Compliments of Paul)
Some Pictures and Video of our time in Claremorris!
Stop at Glencar Falls
Walk to the falls and then enjoy the views.
We make a quick stop to visit W B Yeats Grave and the Drumcliffe Church, a bit of shopping and a quick bite in town before our next stop.
Coney Island County Sligo
Coney Island, off the coast of Sligo, is so named because of the vast quantity of rabbits that call it home. It is accessible by boat from the pier at Rosses Point, or you can make your way over across Cummeen Strand at low tide. (From: https://www.discoverireland.ie/sligo/coney-island )
Picnic on the water, after driving on the water – we drive at low tide into the sand, to cross the loch, we sit and enjoy the area and Paul pulls out a full picnic. Crisps sandwiches! He seems to have to thought of everything.
Time for pint – Strandhill Beach area
First stop at Lacken area (Coastal area of Atlantic Ocean) and Ballycastle
Next stop…
Downpatrick Head
Just a few kilometres north of Ballycastle village, County Mayo, is the windswept outcrop of Downpatrick Head. This is the perfect place to park up and stretch your legs with an invigorating coastal walk and magnificent views of the Atlantic Ocean as your companion. St Patrick’s legacy – The name Downpatrick is derived from a time when St Patrick himself founded a church here. At this small peninsula, you can see the ruins of the church building, a stone cross and holy well here today. This was once a popular pilgrim destination, and today the crowds still gather here on the last Sunday of July – known as Garland Sunday – to hear mass at this sacred site. Fast-forward through the centuries and Downpatrick Head became a lookout post during World War II. You can still see the stone building there today, and the stone aerial marker, ÉIRE 64, to let pilots know that they were flying over Ireland. (FROM: https://www.ireland.com/en-us/destinations/county/mayo/downpatrick-head/ )
We called it the Stacks – what a serene place. We all just sit there, in peace, very few people there, apparently not a huge tourist spot. If we weren’t on our own tour with Paul, I doubt we would have ever come here. Gorgeous, peaceful, definitely one of our favorite spots in Ireland! Of course, Kayla has to give me heart by climbing to the very edge!
We make a quick stop at Belmullet, similar to Downpatrick area… lots of cliffs.
Pub time in Belmullet! Live music in the middle of the day!
Head back to Claremorris a little early today to hit some shops and pubs! We hit several Pubs today. Michael Wardes, Mcdonnels and Gilligans! Meet up with Paul and his mates at Gilligans! Fun evening. Gorgeous evening, 10:40pm and still light outside. Nightcap with Paul at Paddy’s
The next day we head out to Clare Island via the Clare Island Ferry. Quick stop at O’Malley Castle on Achill Island
We stop in Westport for lunch and a pint! Beautiful town, lots of flowers and colors… picturesque
We stop at Ashleigh Falls for a few pictures and Killary Fjord, then on to Kylemore Abbey.
Kylemore Abbey is one of Ireland’s top tourist attractions. Kylemore Castle was built in the late 1800s by Mitchell Henry MP, a wealthy businessman, and liberal politician. Inspired by his love for his wife Margaret, and his hopes for his beloved Ireland, Henry created an estate boasting ‘all the innovations of the modern age’. An enlightened landlord and vocal advocate of the Irish people, Henry poured his life’s energy into creating an estate that would showcase what could be achieved in the remote wilds of Connemara. Today Kylemore Abbey is owned and run by the Benedictine community who have been in residence here since 1920. (from: https://www.kylemoreabbey.com/about )
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Its been a long day, quick drive by at Ashford Castle in Cong, which is now a 5* luxury Hotel for the rich and famous!
ASHFORD CASTLE
The magnificent five-star Ashford Castle is set in 350 acres, on the picturesque shores of Lough Corrib. Dating back to 1228, the castle now enters a new chapter in its history, as part of The Red Carnation Hotel Collection, and has been recognised as a prestigious Forbes five-star hotel. With 82 guest rooms, a wealth of activities and thoughtful touches, enjoy acclaimed Irish hospitality on a grand scale.(From: https://redcarnationhotels.com/our-hotels/ireland/ashford-castle )
Next day we head to Dunguaire Castle
Dunguaire Castle is a 16th-century tower house on the southeastern shore of Galway Bay in County Galway, Ireland, near Kinvara. The name derives from the dun of King Guaire, the legendary king of Connacht. (Source: Wikipedia)
Main stop today the magnificent Cliffs of Moher, my second visit, wonderful just the same.
Cliffs – Super busy with tourists, looks like they added more walkways and retaining walls since the last time I was there in 2013 (10 years ago), a bit of a cloudy day, but not bad.
We visit the Doolin cave home to Europe’s longest stalactite, which is over seven metres in length! Cool thing to see.
Another natural wonder stop, The Burren! Peaceful quiet!
Last stop of the day, Fanore beach.
Next day is a short day, we have a relaxing day at Achill Island. We have a Local production Play to get to, where Sara’s mum is performing.
Truck issue, Paul tries a few things, but ends up calling someone who comes over super quickly, Paul seems to have connections in the area. A tractor comes to help us (lol a tractor), no luck with that, Paul tells us to go get a pint and some lunch nearby while he sorts out the issue. All good within the hour. We called that little hiccup an Adventure!
Next morning, we say goodbye to Sarah and Ellen and all the animals! We head to Galway for the next portion of our trip.
Paul has surprised us with tickets to a Football match. We head to Galway and grab lunch, there are tons of people outside having drinks before the game. No Drinks at the stadium. We walk to the stadium… no one really sits down, everyone is standing up throughout the game. After the game we go to the ground and meet some players… great fun!
Gaelic Football match – Galway vs Mayo
Gaelic Football is the most popular of the Gaelic games and is played on a rectangular grass pitch with H-shaped goals at each end. Our game is high octane, full of speed, precision, accuracy and intensity.
It is played with a round ball and both hands and feet are used to control and pass the ball. There are 15 players on each team, with only 1 referee.
The primary objective is to score by driving the ball through or over the goals. If the ball is sent over the bar of the goals, this equates to One Point. If it goes under bar, into the goalmouth, this equates to Three Points.
The team with the highest score at the end of the match wins.
(from: What is Gaelic Football? – Experience Gaelic Games )
We learn about the curse:
Curse
Why hasn’t Mayo’s Gaelic football team won the All-Ireland championship since 1951? Some believe it’s because of the Mayo Curse.
On the 23 September 1951, County Mayo’s Gaelic football team had just won the sport’s most prestigious competition: The All Ireland championship. During their celebratory journey home, they passed a funeral and, apparently drunk on their success, forgot to stop and pay their respects – or at least, that’s how the story goes.
Legend has it that the priest presiding over the funeral set a curse on the team as punishment: “As long as you all shall live, County Mayo will never win another All-Ireland!” Over the years, County Mayo’s team would lose final after final – cementing belief in the curse for many. But could this curse really exist? (From; BBC World Service)
After the game we say goodbye to Paul and John! We invite them to come to Dallas on their next trip the US. We had a once in a lifetime experience, thanks to Paul and his family.
My first time in Galway, we enjoy all the live music in the pubs. Galway feels like a small town (even though it really isn’t), We are in the heart of the city, Latin Quarter area.
Visit to the Spanish Arch of course!
Statue of Oscar Wilde and Eduard Wilde.
Quiet few days, just lots of pubs, music, some shopping and just one walking tour to get the history of the area.
We do plan an impromptu day trip to Aran Islands to visit the Dún Aonghasa – Ancient Stone Fort, the climb up is just all rocks, but worth the effort once you get up there. Of course, Kayla has to give me heart attack by climbing to the very edge! AGAIN
We then take a cruise to the Cliffs of Moher before heading back to Galway.
We are lucky to get great weather that day! Pictures and videos are amazing. A Must see in Ireland!
Our next journey takes us to London…. Early morning departure from Hotel to get to the airport. Pretty easy airport to get through! (Shannon Airport) after a 45-minute Uber drive there!
Galway!
5 days in London… a few lazy days of exploring, visiting with my friend Sue, Going to the usual crouch end pubs!!
We will Rock you Musical
Afternoon Tea at the Rubens Hotel
Shopping!
Day Trip on the Train to Cambridge, meeting my friends from Rugby
Back in Ireland to finish our Vacation!
Dublin – visit Temple bar area, Guiness Tour, Trinity College Library, Pub Tour – phone nicked, safe home! LOL
Final Thoughts…..
As much as I have traveled, I can say that this was probably one of the most unique experiences I have ever had.
Ireland as a country is just filled with so much natural untouched beauty, and the people are warm, friendly and are proud of their culture, heritage, history and Music!
thank you Paul for an amazing experience! See you in Dallas in 5 years!
Trip Theme Song #1 –
The Saw Doctors – Green and Red of Mayo
Trip Theme Song #2 –
Luke Combs – Fast Car
Trip Theme Song #3 –