Another trip under the belt! Another journey into appreciating how lucky I am to have laid my eyes on so much. This time I broke away from canvassing the Greatest-Country-In-The World-In-The-History-Of-The-World to see another land.
Storybook scenes abound in Ireland. Throughout the trip I’d think, “I can’t believe I’m seeing this.” Then five minutes later I’d think, “I can’t believe I’m seeing this.” From the quaint remote villages of colorful cottages to the rolling countryside dotted with sheep to the ruins of castles whose past grandeur marveled the mind to the jagged cliffs rimming the ocean.
Tuesday, November 20th, 2007
5 airports
4 airplanes
1 book (Michael Ruhlman’s
The Soul of a Chef)
13 hours of flying
4 hours and 15 minutes in airports
Milwaukee to Detroit to New York to....
Wednesday, November 21st, 2007
....Paris to Dublin
First impression was the necessity to drive on ‘the other side of the road’. I’ve had manual transmission cars for 20 years. Would I be able to break old habits? Or would I go to shift and open the door? How about right hand turns? Turns out I adapted to it quickly…..but still reached for the seatbelt over the left shoulder!
Navigating out of the airport headed directly to walkable downtown Dublin and into a mesmerizing mosaic of intricate architecture, shopping, and ancient sites all linked by a vibrant pedestrian scene.
Some highlights: Street scene, Ha’Penny Bridge, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Grafton Street.
Markets are such a great representation of local life. Moore Street Market:
Leo Burducks has been around since 1913 and their Fish And Chips are outstanding!
Thursday, November 22nd
Irish smoked salmon at Lissadell Guest House.
From the Dublin area headed SW and into a visually stimulating montage of nature.
Arklow Town Centre
Ferns Castle
You have to go off the beaten path, then off the beaten path a bit more to find the ruins of this monastery poised on a rounded hill. Imagine when this was new in the 7th century.
Graiguenamanagh
Ended the day in Kilkenny to mosey down High Street and admire its castle and cathedral.
And then to the B&B of the night- Newlands Country House.
Friday, November 23rd
Waterford- inherent to think of crystal. The attention to detail and craftsmanship exhibited on the Waterford Crystal Factory Tour shows why it is so expensive.
Lismore Castle
There is a section of R668 referred to as The Vee due to its hairpin shaped path along a mountain side. This perch generates these vistas:
Rock of Cashel. Cahir Castle.
Cork has a cosmopolitan city centre including the wide St. Patrick’s street with charismatic alleys branching off of it.
Saturday, November 24th
Name a tourist site in Ireland. I’ll admit once I got to Blarney Castle excitement swelled to see the Blarney Stone. Yes, that is me kissing it.
Kenmare
The Ring of Kerry is a scenic route following the coastline of the Iveragh Peninsula. On one side are jagged rocks being beaten by the whitecaps of the Atlantic. On the other terrain sweeps up to imposing mountains. Ancient stone walls create a patchwork filled with sheep and that ubiquitous Irish greenery.
Killarney
Sunday, November 25th
A run up through the central part of Ireland passed through Killaloe, Nenagh, Roscrea, Athlone, Cavan and Clones.
Crossing into North Ireland headed to the northern coast and the large river town of Derry and then east to Giants Causeway on the North Channel.
This wonder of nature includes towering cliffs and geological formations all in a scale to prove ones insignificance.
Can you stand this? The charming town centres don't stop. This is Armagh in North Ireland.
Monday, November 26th
A comprehensive breakfast cheerfully presented at Hillview Lodge and then on to Belfast.
Belfast was a delight to stroll Donegall Square and surrounding areas had a palpable energy. Sad to think of the past violence this city has seen.
Following A2 along the Irish Sea coast was the repetition of quaint town, beautiful scenery, quaint town, beautiful scenery…..
Back in Ireland Monasterboice is an 11th century religious site.
The energetic town centres keep coming with Drogheda.
Tuesday, November 27th, 2007
Dublin to Paris to New York City to Minneapolis to Milwaukee
5 airports
4 airplanes
3 movies (Transformers, No Reservations, License to Wed)
1 book (The Complete Travel Detective Bible)
1 magazine (European Car)
14 hours of flying.
Up for 26 hours and then 3 hours of sleep.
Totals:
1400 miles
14 Restaurants
12 Bakeries
Numerous grocery stores