Holiday in 2004

2006-11-19T21:44:00.000Z

6 April: Ferry from Troon, Scotland to Belfast, Northern Ireland. Drove to Kilrush in south County Clare. Too much driving on narrow roads! Stayed in Kilrush for two nights and visited with our friends Roni, Bill and their adorable 2 year old, Lucy.

8 April: Stayed in Doolin on the coast of Clare - just a few miles from the Cliffs of Moher. Toured the Burren, Kilfenora, and the cliffs.

9-11 April: Drove south to Dingle town bypassing Limerick by taking the Killimer ferry. The Dingle Peninsula has the largest concentration of megalithic sites in Ireland. We toured the 26 mile Slea Head loop, walked parts of the Dingle Way, stopped at the beehive huts, the ruins of the Reask Monastery, Dunbeg Fort. As it was Eastery weekend there was no music on Friday night, but we found some traditional music at O'Flaherty's on Saturday night. We also made a point to stop at the South Pole Inn in Anascaul which was owned by the famous explorer Tom Crean.

Photo above: Inch Strand on Dingle Peninsula
Bottom photo: Slea Head Loop

12-13 April: Drove to Glendalough (south of Dublin) stopping in Cashel on the way. Glendalough is in the Wicklow Mountains and the site of the 5th century monastery founded by St. Kevin. There is a wide choice of walks in the area, from paved to dirt scrambles. The atmosphere feels calming and peaceful even when crowded.

Accommodation Ratings: 1-10 (10 as best)

Kilrush Lodge, Kilrush: 5 - plain, basic & boring but breakfasts were good
Doonagore B & B, Doolin: 6 nice room but noisy, rough sheets, good breakfasts
Murphys B & B, Dingle: 7 - town centre, convenient, basic room, good breakfasts
Derrymore B & B, Glendalough: 10 - great atmosphere and location, full of character, antique furniture, good breakfasts, lovely & accommodating hostess

1998 solo trip

2006-11-04T22:05:00.000Z

My detailed travelogue has disappeared into a cyber black hole, so I'll give a basic report. I rented a car and spent not quite 2 weeks travelling in a big circle. I landed at Dublin Airport, spent my first night in Kells, County Meath.

I visited Newgrange, then drove on to Galway. Took a day trip to Inis Mor, a stunning island!
County Clare: the Cliffs of Mohr, the Burren area, and other wee villages
Spent a night in Adare, County Limerick, a very English-looking village with thatched roof homes
Dingle Peninsula, probably my favourite area. The Slea Head drive was magnificent.
Ring of Kerry, another stunning drive.
West Country Cork was gorgeous and I spent a night in Kinsale.
North to Cahir and Cashel - your first look at the Rock of Cashel takes your breath away
Up to Glendalough, a peaceful area which is the site of an ancient church and monastery in the Wicklow Mountains.
Nearing the end of the trip I drove south of Rosslare to catch a ferry to Wales.
Took the train through Wales into London for a one day visit before my flight out of London Gatwick.

Photo: Newgrange

Ireland Trips

Holiday in 2004

1998 solo trip