Our Trips To Ireland

Well Nick, Jon and myself have just got back from the loveliest time in Ireland.  Just to stop confusion we went on 2 separate trips.  Jon and I went on the 6 day Shamrocker Tour just the 2 of us and Nick could only go the week later in the school holidays and decided that he really wanted to go as well and went on the same 6 day tour the following week by himself.  We all had a blast.  Below is the outline of what we did but even though it was the same tour, the different tour guides took us to some very different places.  Ireland Arrrrrrr, tree hundred and tirty tree.




Day 1: Dublin - Westport
We start by immersing you in myth and legend at The Hill of Tara, seat of the High Kings and a Pagan Stronghold of ancient Ireland. Next it?s off to Kilbeggan, home to one of the oldest licensed Whiskey Distilleries in the world. After sampling the good stuff it?s then on to Ireland?s pilgrimage town of Knock to clear your conscience! The Atlantic town of Westport is a perfect place to sit back and enjoy the ?Ceol agus Craic? (that?s music and good times to us!)

Day 2: Westport - Galway

En route to Kylemore Abbey, enjoy the spectacular scenery of Connemara, from our own Holy Mountain, Croagh Patrick, to Doolough Valley, with a lake as dark as its history. Walk through the brooding mountains of wild and rugged Connemara, or picnic on one of its beautiful white sandy beaches, before relaxing in the tiny capital of the region, Clifden. Next it?s on to Roundstone for a bit of Bodhran making. Tonight we stay in beautiful Galway City, where you can explore its maze of colourful medieval streets and soak up its lively cultural scene.

We went out tonight for some traditional Irish dancing at a bar just down the road, a few people were allowed up for

Day 3: Galway - Doolin

Start the day with a beautiful scenic drive along Galway Bay & Kinvarra Bay and into the heart of the Burren?s lunar limestone landscape. Wonder at the 5000 year old portal tomb ?Pol na Brone Dolmen? before a coastal drive to a beautiful beach for a game of Gaelic footie! Relax over a pint of the black stuff before seeing the awe inspiring Cliffs of Moher. Doolin, home of traditional Irish music, is our overnight stop tonight and is sure to be a night to remember.

The lunar limstone landscape was amazing.  Slates of rock as far as the eye can see.  Time for a group shot on top of the edge of a cliff of rock.  The cliffs of Moher were spectacular as well and it's good they are putting fencing around it as it is quite windy and a very long drop.  Would be a great spot for a flying fox.

Day 4: Doolin - Killarney

Cross the mouth of the Shannon river on the Tarbert Ferry down to ?The Kingdom of Ireland?, Kerry. Check out Dingle, a fishing village home to Fungi the Dolphin!  Journey to the end of the Dingle Peninsula and enjoy beautiful views across to the Blasket Islands. Explore Ireland?s lush Southwest ? the mountains of Kerry, palm trees, beaches and stone walls! Catch a beautiful sunset en-route to Killarney, a bustling wee Irish town.

Day 5: Killarney - Kilkenny

Stroll through the National Park along the lakes from Torc Waterfall to Muckross House. Then sit back and enjoy the ?rebel country? as we travel through beautiful Cork countryside en-route to Blarney Castle. Brave the heights to kiss the Blarney Stone and receive the gift of the gab! Wonder at the awe inspiring Rock of Cashel, connected with royalty and mysticism since ancient Celtic times. Our last over-night stop is charming medieval Kilkenny, the Marble city, with the beautiful Butler stronghold.

Tonight Jon and I went out to an awesome pub for dinner which had unreal live music and lots of craic.  Nick was lucky enough on his tour to go to the story telling, which I think would have been one massive highlight of the trip.  We all seemed to be lucky enough to not catch anything from kissing the Blarney Stone (Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have both kissed it !!)  I was a bit short though and I think I kissed the wrong stone, but didn't really need to get the gift of the gab anyway.  Did walk up some wonky old stone steps backwards with my eyes closed for some good luck though.  Blarney Castle was a really picturesque castle which large gardens.  There is a story behind everything in Ireland but you will have to go over there and find out yourself cause I'm not typing it all.

Day 6: Kilkenny - Dublin
Taste the fresh air and gaze out as far as the eye can see from the ancient ruins on the Rock of Dunamase. Sip on the dark stuff in the gorgeous wee town of Kildare before travelling through picturesque landscapes to the Garden of Ireland, Co Wicklow. Cleanse your soul at The Monastic city of Glendalough before returning to the fair city of Dublin.

This morning we had black pudding for breaky, which tasted just like another type of sausage but thicker.  Then on the way back up to Dublin got a dose of history of Northern Ireland and the problems that have been going on up there.  Facinating and would love to go up for a few days to complete the picture.

We all met some lovely people.  Nick and I have both agreed that we would love to spend more time in Ireland as the Irish people are amazing, the countryside is unreal, the history is grand and the beer is great.