Ireland vacation!

The big travel event of this year, and my life so far, was a ten day trip to Ireland with my family in early to mid June. We flew into Dublin, drove all the way north to Giant's Causeway, looped back south to see the Cliffs of Moher and then to Killarney in the south west where we stayed for most of our trip. We saw everything that I would have wanted to see which was wonderful. It was a great trip for everyone in my family too, and all our traveling went very smoothly.

Giant's Causeway and Northern Ireland - Day 1

This first day was very long since we started as soon as we landed in Dublin. It was a lot of traveling and none of us had slept, but it was great that we were able to fit in Giant's Causeway even though it was far from our main destination.

Belfast

Northern Coast, view of the rope bridge.

Hexagonal stones at Giant's Causeway.

 

 

 

Giant's Causeway

Cliffs of Moher - Day 2

Didn't get to sleep in too much, but started the day with a Full Irish Breakfast at our B&B. Then we drove down to the Cliffs of Moher. Gorgeous views. More driving, and we arrived in Killarney.

Full Irish breakfast

Cliffs of Moher

Cliffs of Moher selfie

Flags at the Cliffs of Moher

Ross Castle and Gap of Dunloe - Day 3

A more relaxing day, with a late start as we caught up on sleep. We toured the Ross Castle, built in the 15th century. Then we went on a long journey to find the Gap of Dunloe. (We ended up going the much longer way, but it was worth it when we made it out.)

Ross Castle

Stairs inside the castle with archer's window

Outer wall of castle

Gap of Dunloe at twilight

Ring of Kerry - Day 4

One of the best days of the trip - also my sister's birthday. The Ring of Kerry is a big destination in Ireland for good reason. The views are amazing, but the highlight for me was the ruins. We drove off the main loop a little to see two ancient stone forts. Nearby is an amazing 14th century castle, the Ballycarberry castle. It was in the middle of a cowfield and you could just walk right up to it and climb around and explore. So beautiful that I literally cried. One of the highlights of the whole trip for me. Don't drive the Ring of Kerry without making a stop!

Family on the Ring of Kerry.

Ballycarberry Castle

View from Ballycarberry Castle

Back of Ballycarberry Castle.

Ancient stone fort

Dingle Peninsula - Day 5

We drove the Dingle Peninsula - beautiful views and cute little seaside towns. There were also ancient beehive huts and forts which were pretty cool. A guy who owned the land some of them were on caught a lamb for me and my sister to hold.

Beach on Dingle Peninsula

View from inside stone hut

Ancient stone hut

Irish lamb

Castle ruins in Killarney

Muckross House and Abbey in Killarney - Day 6 

Very laid back and fun day staying in Killarny. We took a jaunting car to the Muckross House and Muckross Abbey. The House and Gardens were beautiful, but we preferred the ruins of the Abbey. We ended the day with some Irish food, music and dance at Jarvey's Rest.

Jaunting car

Muckross House

Muckross Abbey

Inside of Muckross Abbey

Kinsale - Day 7

We drove down to Kinsale to see the historic town and the nearby British forts. Charles Fort is larger and newer. James Fort is older and smaller, and apparently closed that day. However, I climbed over the wall and got a nice look at the inside. I had to get help climbing back out though... When we returned to Killarney we toured the brand new Killarney Brewing Company.

The Lusitania sank off the coast of Kinsale

Charles Fort

Inside of James Fort

Killarney Brewing Company

Skellig Islands - Day 8

 We weren't planning on doing this, but we were able to fit in which was fortunate because it was probably the highlight of the trip for me. My dad and I took the boat out to Skellig Michael and climbed to the top to see the ancient monastery. It was amazing, and there were puffins everywhere!

Puffins on Skellig Michael

Cemetary and bee hive hut

On Skellig Michael, Little Skellig in the background

Little Skellig from the boat, Skellig Michael in background

Rock of Cashel and return to Dublin - Day 9

On our drive from Killarney to Dublin, we stopped at the Rock of Cashel. It was under a lot of renovation so it wasn't as cool as it might have been otherwise. However, from the cemetery outside I spotted some ruins in the distance, in the middle of a cowfield. I asked about them, and then led my family on a trek for one last visit to cool ruins. It was the Hore Abbey, and it did not disappoint as one of our last Ireland attractions. We arrived in Dublin late, but went out in the city. It was good timing because there was a Scotland v. Ireland football game that night and the city was crazy. Great people watching. The next morning, we had to leave.

Rock of Cashel

Hore Abbey

Ceiling in Hore Abbey

Hore Abbey

We loved the exit signs in Ireland. Fitting last picture for the trip!

The trip overall was an amazing experience. The sights were beautiful and the people were very friendly. I especially want to hold onto the feeling of stepping into an old ruined abbey or castle and smelling the dark dampness and hearing the birds swooping overheard, and feeling the history there. It was overwhelming, and I'm very glad I got to experience that a few times in ruins that haven't been modified or are overrun with tourists. It's a very amazing country and I highly recommend it as a travel destination!