IRELAND

Dublin
My first stop in Ireland was Dublin. I made my way from the airport to my hostel and then back out to the streets of Dublin. I found Hard Rock Cafe and had a good dinner and got my souveneir glasses. It was getting late so I decided to call it a night. When I got back to ny room, I unpacked my bag and realized that the airport had broken my Paris HRC glass...bummer but I thought I would superglue it back together!!

The next morning I got information from the tourist office and went on a tour of the city via the Double Decker bus. It started raining after the first few stops and the top emptied out. I decided to brave the rain and stay up there.


Later I got my bus tickets settled for the rest of my trip and made it to the Guinness Storehouse just in time to do the self guided tour. It was very fascinating learning the process of making beer. I do not like beer much, but they make it look important and the sheer volume they distribute makes me think there are some people out there that really like the stuff!



The view from the top was amazing. A 360 degree view of Dublin!

My last activity of the night was a literary Pub Crawl. We had two actors leading the way talking about the literary geniuses that once lived or studied in Ireland and Dublin. It was really fun and not focused on a lot of drinking. I made some temporary friends and made it home safely.

Galway
I took a long bus ride to Galway. It was 3.5 hours of being car sick and enjoying the scenery. I saw lots of baby lambs--and a few sheep with boxes. I was lost the second I got off the bus in Galway. I had driving directions to my B&B but did not know which bus to take or how far I would have to walk. I gave in to a taxi service and got to my destination in five minutes. After getting settled at the O'Brien house I headed back to town and looked around the old part of the city. Quite a few great shopping places and a few good restaurants! I bought some super glue in hopes of restoring my Paris HRC pilsner glass. I spent the rest of the night in my room putting the puzzle back together and doing some laundry in my sink. I had a big day ahead of me and wanted good rest.

My Burren/Cliffs of Moher tour started at 10am and Mr. O'Brien insisted on taking me in to meet the bus so I did not object. He also prepared a massive breakfast of eggs, three kinds of pork, six pieces of toast teas, OJ, granola and yogurt. I could not finish it all!! I got to the bus plenty early, got my seat and then headed to get a hot coffee as it was looking cold and rainy out. When I got back on the bus, there was a cute young guy a few rows up. As weird as it sounds, it was my goal to at least talk to him during the tour--trying to be more outgoing! Anyway, the first stop on the tour was Dunguaire Castle. It was a small little thing but awesome nonetheless.The next stop was Ailwee Cave-it was really dark inside but we could see the stalagmites and stalagtites growing. There were also some good waterfalls inside. They think that this cave was where bears would hibernate for the winter.

Lots of fields of sheep and some cows and even a few llamas.

We passed through a little village called Lisdoonvarna where they hold an annual matchmaking festival....should i come back in September???
After a bite to eat in another small town, we fianlly headed for the Cliffs of Moher. By the time we got there, it was pouring down rain and the wind was blowing pretty good. I had made contact with the guy a few rows up and so we headed for one side of the cliff for some great views and then headed to the total other side of the viewing area for a view in the other direction. After about an hour in the rain that felt like hail, we headed for some warmth indoors. The automatic hand dryers are great for warming up.




We went a little beyond the signs that said do not go any further and it was muddy and slippery. The wind was blowing and neither of us wanted to fall over the edge so we turned around. It was definitely worth going the little bit further because it changed the whole view!
We made a few more stops along the way and then headed back into Galway. Before parting ways with Nick, he mentioned that his cousin said the King's Head was a good pub. A few hours later and clean dry clothes I was eating dinner at the King's Head. I knew when the last bus left the city and I planned to be on it. It was mentioned that a live band would be playing later. I met a couple from Australia and chatted with them for a while. The band finally started about the time I needed to leave. I decided to take a taxi instead and stayed a while with the Aussies. The music was good and we started talking to two local guys and closed down the pub. We went on to another place and I eventually made it home. Quite a fun night and hard to leave as I was having so much fun and enjoyed the company.

The next day was my day to head to Killarney and though really tired I made it onto the 11 AM bus.

Killarney
Killarney was a cute little town and the hostel I chose was awesome. It was next to the train and bus stations and very clean. I had a room to myself both nights and a single bathroom all to myself. I signed up for the Ring of Kerry tour and had my laundry done by the male receptionist...what a service!! I also explored the town a bit and made my way (through the rain) to Ross Castle and parts of Killarney National Park.




The Ring of Kerry tour had some amazing views and was made better by the people in my group. Kyle, a Kiwi currently teaching in Cambridge, Tara a student from Phili, and a newlywed couple from Dallas, Texas. I did not know what to expect from this tour, but everyone said I had to see the Ring of Kerry. We trekked the circle and made our way from the cliffs to the sea, to the cliffs, and then the ocean and back through the National Park.














My last night in Killarney I went out with the Kiwi Kyle, the 20 year old birhtday boy Andrew, the quiet guy Mike, and the "Banned from England" guy whose name I cannot recall. Anyway the five of us found a place that had three old men sitting around playing tradition Irish music. After those guys finished a rock band started on the other side of the building and there was dance music a room away...quite a place to be I guess!!
About midnight I realized that I was missing my bag of glasses from Hard Rock Cafe and some little things I had bought in Galway--I ran downstairs hoping it had been turned in to lost and found if I left it when I checked in but no such luck. I also checked the bus station lost and found the next day but no luck there either. With this very sad news, I have made a decision to end my collection of pilsner glasses and the gift shot glasses for my sister. I had packed that bag around for days and even glued my Paris glass back together--losing a layer of skin on both hands because I am not good with superglue. It was a hard decision, but I spent a lot of money on those glasses and now I have nothing for all that money. I decided not to go to the HRC in London even though I was told it was the originating place of the chain.

Cork
The next morning I got to the train station and saw the Kiwi was going in the same direction. Ironically enough, we had been traveling in the same circle for about a week now just missing each other by hours at different locations. When we got to Cork, I told him I was following him to a hostel because I had seen him reading his guide book. We made our way a few blocks to Bru a cool hostel above a small pub. The people were nice and the rooms had their own bathrooms. I went out to Blarney Castle and toured the grounds and even kissed the Blarney Stone. It was a really beautiful place!! I toured the city a bit and got some food to bring home for dinner. A quiet evening and a good night's sleep.









I took a daytrip to Kinsale on my last day in Ireland. I walked about the city streets and even got Fish and Chips at a local restaurant. I actually ate fish other than salmon--trying to eat new things. I also took a harbour cruise that took us by two old forts and gave us great views of the land from the water. A beautiful day. I went into a photograph gallery and was inspired to print my pictures and take lots more!!! I have taken well over 2000 pictures over the last two months and I have a few good ones.








I flew out of Cork Airport to London the next morning. I had to be out of the hostel by 5:30 am to catch my shuttle. I was almost in tears as my airplane took off. I really wanted to stay here and see more and get to know more people!!