Ireland Trip

Our itinerary included:

Dublin, Howth, Kilkenny, Rock of Cashel, Cahir, Killarney, Kerry, Dingle, Adare, Cliffs of Moher, Galway, Connemara, and Athlone

Galway – Wild Atlantic Way

Packed up the car and away we go on our journey – we have a pre-determined route – gps is set (paper directions and map backups) – first stop is the cute little Adare Village with the thatch roof houses. We only stopped briefly for pics outside the now gated Adare Manor (affordable last visit over 35 years ago!), then on to the cool surfing town Lahinch for lunch at the @cornerstonebar – unexpected local spot recommended by our expert driver – had to get the open-faced oak smoked salmon and it was as delicious as described! Others had mussels, toasties and tea – everyone was happy and ready for our short drive to the mighty Cliffs of Moher! We easily parked and walked over to the visitors area – the rain and clouds held off just enough for us to get some breathtaking shots of the staggeringly high cliffs - 700 feet above the raging Atlantic Ocean – views of the Aran Islands and one brave tour boat down below. Sadly no sighting of puffins – just a bunch of gulls.

Back on the coastal route all the way to Galway to checkin to our new home for the next 3 nights – the Hyde Hotel – excellent location, bar, staff, rooms, etc. We all got settled in and agreed to meet down at the super hip Hyde Bar & Gin Parlour before heading out to dinner – no reservations, but ended up having one of the best meals of the trip @McSwiggansGalway – recommended by our favorite bartender of the week Darragh from the HydeHotel (#TimeToHyde) – started with cocktails and shared bottle of Terre de Roqueloupie Picpoul de Pinet – nice bright French white – to go with 2 types of oysters - Kelly’s raw and flame grilled Rockefellers, plus a whipped Galways Goat cheese with crostini - yummy!! Mains were the Seafood Plate (chilled sampler), herb roasted salmon, pan seared seabass, braised lamb shank, and ribeye steak. Really wanted to get the assorted cheese for dessert (had one we had to look up – Gubbeen) but sadly no room – slow walk back to hotel for a nightcap, where Darragh made a beautiful white Russian that was almost like dessert!

Galway Day 2

Start off the morning at the Hydes’s Wylde Coffee Bar for cappuccinos and croissants. We are thrilled we have another day trip planned with Dave from @N59Chauffeurs.ie – we are completely off-script and in his hands as this is the area of Ireland where he and his family have roots and history. He first gave us the basics of Galway and took us into the magnificent and moving Galway Cathedral – picked up a few angels and saints mementos. Next we stopped at a quirky little spot where John Wayne shot the “The Quiet Man” for first photo-op of the day (going to have to go re-watch this flick now). While we made our way through roads of beauty we heard the story of the Cleggan Bay Disaster as told in a book written by his sister Marie Feeney – a tragedy impacting so many fishing families in the area and touched so many lives. He gave us a copy of a children’s book she wrote, but only had the one copy of the October 1927 accounting of the events that his grandfather survived (luckily we found a copy to take home in Charlie Byrnes bookshop in Galway).

Moving on our way to the main attraction of touring Kylemore abbey – we stop for incredible scenic views and feeding street sheep (the farmer is certainly laughing from inside as tourists stop to pay and feed his sheep!)

Kylemore Abbey is worth a whole day, but we only have a couple of hours – the history, the house, and the Benedictine nuns who still live and work here warmed our hearts and filled our spirits – and our bellys with the most amazing lamb stew and apple cake!

Time to move on – we have yet to see some of the most incredible views along Sky Road - big wow of Wild Atlantic way!!! Stopped and explored Dave's old stomping grounds of Clifden – there is a statue to commemorate the two pilots who made the 1st non-stop transatlantic flight which happened to crash in his grandma's bog! I've never been so overwhelmed with scenery and special stories he shared making it all such a personalized perfect experience! We also took time explore this cute town and shop for more layers! The journey back to Galway is highlighted with a few more fun facts, stories, and beautiful places, but we then had to say bye to Dave and rest up for dinner.

We had a short walk to John Keoghs Gastropub @johnkeoghs for dinner – great whiskey sours and old fashioneds plus a pint and porn star to get us started and paired with our Galway Goat cheese and crostini – mains were a fantastic slow roasted Connemara lamb shoulder (paired with a Muddy Boots Shiraz), West Coast Fish & Chips, Roast Irish Chicken and a Buttermilk Irish Chicken Burger. We split off for the night and tried to get into some of the recommended pubs for traditional music in the Latin Quarter, but it was a crush of people – OK that we ended up at Busker Browns – got great seats and an Irish Whiskey Tasting – shortly thereafter a real local Galway band showed up and were highly entertaining taking obscure requests and did them well.

Galway Day 3 - Galway Day - lots of exploring Eyre Square, Latin Quarter, and Westend - shopping, eating, drinking, and soaking in the whole vibe.

We found Monroe’s in Galway’s Westend was a great place to get out of the rains, have some lunch, and try a Sarti Spritz. Continued to wander and shop our way back to the hotel for a rest before dinner. (well, some of us anyway - 2 had to go check-out O’Connells where Ed Sheeran filmed part of his music video “Galway Girl” - it was very cool with funny bartender and cozy garden to relax and sip a most excellent, unique Redbreast Tawney Port Cask Edition)

Another short walk to a fantastic dinner at Brasserie on the Corner @Brasseriegalway – lovely, crisp Villa del Fiori Pecorino to go with Kelly’s oysters and Caesar salads – mains were an amazing scallops & crabclaws, pan seared monkfish, pan fried seabass, and filet with prawns – topped off with a trad session going on in the bar as we walked out! Slainte and goodnight to Galway!

The last full day on our Ireland adventure - traveling from Galway to Dublin with a stop midway in Athlone to tour the castle, have drinks at the famous Sean's Bar (oldest in Ireland), walk across the River Shannon, lunch at Gertie Brown’s, then back over the river to say a quick prayer for safe journeys in the beautiful St Peter & Paul's cathedral.