Ireland – Page 3 – Wandering Dawgs

Wandering on the Wild Atlantic Way

June 10, 2019Posted in Historic Sites, Nature, Tourist Attractions, TravelTagged Cliffs of Moher, Dingle, Dingle Peninsula, Dunguaire Castle, Ireland, Ring of Kerry, Scenic drives, Sheep Dog Demonstration, Slea Head Drive, Waterville, Wild Atlantic Way16 Comments

The Wild Atlantic Way is a scenic coastal road along Ireland’s Atlantic Coast from the Northern Headlands all the way down to the southern coast. We spent three days exploring along the southern part of the route.

On our day trip from Galway to the Cliffs of Moher we were on the Wild Atlantic Way most of the day. We stopped at Dunguaire Castle on our way to the cliffs.

20190504-Day-4-Cliffs-of-Moher-IPhone-(14) — Dunguaire Castle

Most of the way we were on a steep, narrow road.

20190504-Day-4-Cliffs-of-Moher-IPhone-(20) — Driving on the Wild Atlantic Way

The Cliffs of Moher are Ireland’s most visited natural attraction and probably the most popular stop on the Wild Atlantic Way. These majestic cliffs tower high above the ocean with several trails offering spectacular views. The day was perfect with sunny skies and calm seas.

20190504-Cliffs-of-Moher-(19) — Cliffs of Moher

20190504-Cliffs-of-Moher-(40) — A different view of Cliffs of Moher

20190504-Cliffs-of-Moher-(68) — Cliffs of Moher

After wandering around the cliffs we returned to Galway for another night before driving through the middle of the Dingle Peninsula on our way to the town of Dingle, our next destination. We stopped at an overlook to take in the spectacular scenery.

20190506-Dingle-Sony-(23) — Dingle Peninsula, Ireland

We loved our night in Dingle Town with it’s colorful buildings, fun pubs, great seafood, and beautiful Dingle Boat Harbour.

20190506-Dingle-Sony-(61) — Dingle Town, Ireland

20190506-Dingle-Sony-(80) — Dingle Boat Harbour, Dingle, Ireland

The next day we drove the Slea Head Drive on the Dingle Peninsula. Much of the drive is high above the ocean where there were more spectacular cliffs, ancient Fairy Forts, Beehive Huts, beaches, and some Star Wars filming locations.

20190507-Day-7-Dingle-Peninsula-Sony-(34) — Cliffs on the Slea Head Drive

20190507-Day-7-Dingle-Peninsula-Sony-(27) — Fairy Fort

20190507-Day-7-Dingle-Peninsula-drive-to-Killarney-IPhone-(29) — Ancient Bee Hive Huts from about 2000 BC

20190507-Day-7-Dingle-Peninsula-Sony-(59) — Beach on the Slea Head Drive

20190507-Day-7-Dingle-Peninsula-Sony-(70) — “The Last Jedi” of the Star Wars series was filmed in the area of Ballyferriter on the Dingle Peninsula

20190507-Day-7-Dingle-Peninsula-Sony-(74) — Inch Beach on the Wild Atlantic Way

We opted to let someone else do the driving and took a bus tour of the Ring of Kerry from Killarney. Most of the tour was along the Wild Atlantic Way. We passed by an ancient castle, watched a sheep dog demonstration, walked on the beach in Waterville where Charlie Chaplin liked to go on holiday, saw the Eightercua Stone Row, enjoyed lunch with a view, and were near another Star Wars filming location.

20190509-Day-9-Ring-of-Kerry-Sony-(40) — Wynn’s Castle, Kerry, Ireland

20190509-Day-9-Ring-of-Kerry-Sony-(95) — Sheep Dog Demonstration, Ring of Kerry, Ireland

20190509-Day-9-Ring-of-Kerry-Sony-(144) — Charlie Chaplin was a visitor to Waterville, Ireland, Ring of Kerry

20190509-Day-9-Ring-of-Kerry-Sony-(154) — Eightercua Stone Row, Ring of Kerry, Wild Atlantic Way

20190509-Day-9-Ring-of-Kerry-Sony-(170) — Wild Atlantic Way, Ring of Kerry, Ireland

20190509-Day-9-Ring-of-Kerry-Sony-(174) — Sign points to the ferry to Skellig Michael, filming location from “The Last Jedi”, Wild Atlantic Way, Ring of Kerry, Ireland

The tour left the Wild Atlantic Way and went through Killarney National Park on our return to Killarney. Our last stop was at Lady’s View.

20190509-Day-9-Ring-of-Kerry-Sony-(210) — Ladie’s View, Killarney National Park

It was nice to let someone else do the driving. Our driver and guide Dennis was great and we learned a few things we wouldn’t have known if we had driven ourselves.

Next up, more adventures in Ireland.

Two Irish Cities

June 5, 2019June 5, 2019Posted in Historic Sites, TravelTagged Book of Kells, bucket list, Dublin, Eyre Square, Galway, Guinness, Ha'Penny Bridge, Ireland, Long Room of Old Library13 Comments

Like many other travelers to Ireland, our introduction to the country began in Dublin. As we approached the city center on our ride from the airport to the hotel there were pedestrians everywhere and they were not afraid to step out in front of traffic. Our driver told us “In Dublin, jaywalking is a hobby.”

After a good night’s sleep and a full Irish breakfast we were ready to to explore Dublin. Our first stop was Trinity College to see the Book of Kells and the Long Room of the Old Library.

20190502-Day-2-Book-of-Kells-Old-Library-(2) — Book of Kells, Trinity College, Dublin

The Book of Kells is a beautifully handwritten and elaborately decorated book of the four Gospels. The work was done by monks and it is estimated to have been done around the year 800. There are interesting displays describing how it was made and samples of the many illustrations. The book itself is kept under glass in a special room with no photography allowed.

20190502-Day-2-Dublin-Book-of-Kells-Old-Library-Guinness-(21) — Decorated words from the Book of Kells, Trinity College, Dublin

Upstairs from the Book of Kells is the most beautiful library I’ve ever seen. I could have spent all day in the Long Room of the Old Library surrounded by all the old books.

I heard one story that there was a scene in one of the Star Wars movies inspired by this room. I also heard it was the inspiration for the library in Harry Potter.

20190502-Day-2-Dublin-Book-of-Kells-Old-Library-Guinness-(27)-tall — Long Room of Old Library at Trinity College, Dublin

As we strolled through the Trinity College campus we stopped to listen to singers perform. Our wandering continued to the River Liffey where we walked across the Ha’Penny Bridge and back before strolling through the Temple Bar District. Later we toured the Guinness Brewery and enjoyed a pint at their Gravity Bar.

We stopped to listen to the talented singers as we strolled around Trinity College

Ha’Penny Bridge across the River Liffey, Dublin

These locks are placed on the Ha’Penny bridge by lovers. To profess their undying love after placing the lock they throw the key into the River Liffey

Beside the River Liffey, Dublin

Sláinte! My first taste of Guinness at the Gravity Bar at the Guinness Distillery

Dublin is the capital of the Republic of Ireland and Ireland’s largest city. We enjoyed our time there but were anxious to see other parts of Ireland.

After picking up our rental car on the outskirts of town we got lost (the first of several times) before finding the right road to Galway, our home for the next 3 nights. Galway is bigger than I thought it would be but much smaller than Dublin. Our hotel in Galway was located on Eyre Square in the center of town within walking distance of Quay Street and the Latin Quarter. There were many shops, pubs, restaurants, a waterfront, and the Spanish Arch to explore.

Quay Street Galway

Eyre Square, Galway

Galway

Spanish Arch, Galway

Galway

Next up, scenic drives along Ireland’s Atlantic Coast.

Three Weeks in Ireland and Scotland

May 27, 2019Posted in Historic Sites, Tourist Attractions, TravelTagged bucket list, castle, Ireland, Scotland24 Comments

Three days after returning home from a three week trip to Ireland and Scotland I’m still a little jet lagged, haven’t finished unpacking, and just started going through the 3,000 photos I took.

Ireland has always been at the top of our bucket list. Henry and I both have Irish ancestors and I have ancestors from Scotland so we planned our trip to see both countries.

I loved everything – the people, the jaw dropping scenery, the green fields and mountains, the sheep and cows, the castles, the churches and cathedrals, everything! And yes, Ireland really is that green! Here are a few photos from our first days in Ireland.

Dunguaire Castle, just outside Kinvara, Ireland on Galway Bay

Yes, there really are thatched roofs in Ireland

Irish sheep

Scenic Ring of Kerry tour on the Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland

Dingle Peninsula, west coast of Ireland

Galway, Ireland

We traveled by planes, trains, automobiles, a ferry, and even a horse drawn jaunting car. We rented a car to get around and took a few bus tours along the way. We walked along spectacular cliffs, drove on narrow winding roads, stopped at castles and even did laundry at a gas station in a Scottish village. We watched a sheep dog demonstration, petted some sheep, and fed a Highland Cow. We stayed in hotels in city centers, bed and breakfasts away from town, and a castle. We sampled local beers and whiskeys in the pubs. For three weeks we ate a huge full breakfast every day and dined on delicious seafood and beef dishes at night.

A few photos from Scotland.