Pack Your Bags: Irish Day Trips

First, I need to apologize

for making some people

very sad when I posted about Dublin.

I said I didn't really love the city

and that I had hard time connecting to it.

So, I'm sorry.

{I actually am, as I get really sad when people don't connect with a place I love.}

Though it was awesome having you pour out in the comments

what things & places made the city great to you

and I can't wait to try out some of your suggestions the next time I'm there.

So while Dublin still isn't my favorite place in the world,

I can't say one bad word about Ireland as a whole.

Getting out of the city

and into the quieter places of the country

is something I hope everyone gets to do at some point in their life.

{And I'm itching to get to Northern Ireland... luckily I have a hot wedding to go to there this June.}

If you are wanting to get out Dodge

{or Dublin, whatever},

I would recommend these two day trips.

*****

Glendalough

& Wicklow National Park

If you can get out of Dublin,

it's worth the hour-ish drive out to to Glendalough 

home of good old St. Kevin

and his (once) famous monastic community.

The ruins of this long-lasting community

are in impressive shape,

considering how long they have been around.

There is a small museum at the Welcome Center

that will brief you on the history of the site

and then you can head out to see the ruins in person.

{I always like getting some context before heading out to a site. Who doesn't though?}

After you've looked at all the old rocks, ruins & graves your heart can handle,

head out to the lakes for the real treat.

There are two lakes...

the first is about 5-10 minutes away

and it's really pretty.

But keep going on the path

until you reach the second lake

{about 20-30 minutes from the ruin site}

so you can see this.

You won't be sad you did.

If you're in need of a great place to eat,

right up the road from Glendalough

is the charming Wicklow Heather.

Not only is the food delicious,

but the restaurant is a literary-nerd's heaven

showcasing first-edition works by famous authors

such as James Joyce & Yeats in their Writer's Room.

{Editor's Note: Remember in PS I Love You when Hilary Swank mets Gerard Butler

on the road in the Wicklow National Park... 

yes, these are those Wicklow Mountains.}

***

The Cliffs of Moher

I've been to Ireland

several times before making it out to this famous coastline.

I'd call it a "Rookie Mistake,"

but obviously, seeing as how many times I've gone 

 that wouldn't really apply.

The Cliffs of Moher 

{or "The Cliffs of Insanity"as you Princess Bride fans may know them}

are on the Western Coast of Ireland.

It takes several hours to get out there

and making it out there will take up a day of time.

But is it worth it?

Oh yeah, baby.

Because after you get there, 

you can have this view.

{24 week pregnant lady not included.}

There is a small cafe & a restaurant at the newly refinished visitor's center

that you can find warmth in 

once those coastal breezes get the better of you.

Rangers can lead informational walks, 

but from my personal experience,

 it's not anything to cry over

if you miss out on making the tour.

Apparently, there's not much to say about these cliffs 

other than that they are really old 

and that puffins come to nest there in the summer.

To reach the famous cliffs,

you have two options:

you can take a tour with a group like McCoole Day Tours

or you can drive yourself.

If you drive yourself, will you promise to stop in the town of Ennis for lunch?

It's a tiny little Irish village

complete with an adorable town square

and it will make your day trip all the better.

You have the Aspiring Kennedy's word on it.

For what it's worth,

I've also heard Galway is more than worth visiting

when you're out that way.

__________


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