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Published: October 1st 2018
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Summer of 2018 brought us to Ireland. We flew to Dublin and that’s where our journey started.
Dublin is a bustling European city with mix of old and modern architecture, friendly locals and full of tourists. To better oriented to the city, we first joined a walking tour of the city led by a history PhD from Trinity College. History walking tour started at the front gates Trinity College and took us through many interesting landmarks including some back alleys. It was highly entertaining and educational as well. While exploring the sites such as Trinity college, Dublin Castle, the famous Temple bar, Dubhlinn Gardens, and Christ Church cathedral. All the while, the guide talked about the Dublin’s history, the influence of revolutions, the potato famine, 1916 rising, and war of Independence educating us not only about Dublin, but about Ireland in general. This tour is highly recommended as its well worth the 2 hours of easy walking.
Next day, we decided to take a hop on and off bus tour to explore the outer areas of the city. We started at Museum of Modern arts, going towards city via the Dublin Zoo. Visited the Book of Kells exhibit (an
illuminated manuscript Gospel book in Latin, containing the four Gospels of the New Testament) at Trinity college before ending the day visiting Kilmainham Gaol (prison, a site of oppression and suffering) now a museum. Kilmainham is still a truly a depressing place still and is used a backdrop of many films and U2 song “Celebration”.
After exploring Dublin, our next stop was Belfast in Northern Ireland. We drove thinking there is probably check point of sort in between, but there was nothing and we didn’t even know we crossed the border. Belfast is a modern city and the birth place pf RMS Titanic. So naturally, that was the first place we visited. Titanic Quarter, which includes the Titanic Belfast, an aluminum-clad museum looking like a ship’s hull and shipyards, slipways and drawing offices. Parts of Game of Throne was filmed here in location (Note-Ireland gives great tax breaks to film industry).
Next day, we headed to Giants Causeway- highlight of our trip (we parked the car in Bushmills as recommended and took ride up to the Giant’s causeway visitor center). Giant’s causeway is a geological wonder steeped in legend and folklore. We decided take a walking tour with
a ranger to learn more and it was well worth it to hear all the folklore as well as science behind the mostly hexagonal rock shapes. We visited a similar place in Scotland, Isle of Staffa- one of the Hebrides islands and it was interesting to see the similarities in rock column formations. After the tour, we walked the blue Trail but past Giant’s boot to part of the Red Trail up to The Organ. It was one of most unique experiences.
Next, we explored the Antrim coast (120 mile Causeway coastal route) stopping at Dunluce Castle, Dark hedges (games of throne filming site), Glena riff Forest park (one of the nine Glens of Antrim) and Carrick Fergus Castle (a Norman Castle -one of the best preserved medieval structures in Ireland).
Our next stop took us to famous Aran Islands off west coast. Visit to Cliffs of Moher was breath taking (and location of one of the Harry Potter movies and many other movies). Formed by ice age, the soaring cliffs over 350ft off Atlantic was a sight to behold. Next, we visited Inisheer by catching a Ferry. With its 250 residents, is perhaps the most physically picturesque
of the three Aran Islands. Aran Islands are where the life stayed primitive while rest of the Europe modernized. That is exactly the charm and attraction of these islands.
Staying in charming Dingle bed and breakfasts we took our time to explore the Dingle peninsula (30 miles round trip) and Ring of Kerry by car. While most of the tour books would advice to drive in clockwise direction, we found we could avoid traffic by driving anti clockwise direction. They both offer most beautiful scenery: spectacular coastal views, jagged mountains, beautiful lakes, sheep fields dotted with small pubs and inns.
Next stop to be Blarney Castle. While it is one of the popular tourist sites in Ireland we were halfhearted about it and in the end decided to skip it all together. Kissing the Blarney stone that is kissed by millions of mouths didn’t appeal to any of us. Instead, we chose to visit Rock of Cashel which is home to A spectacular group of Medieval buildings: 12th century round tower, High Cross and Romanesque Chapel, 13th century Gothic cathedral, 15th century Castle.
Last stop before coming back to Dublin was at Waterford, home to Waterford Crystals.
At Waterford Crystal facility we enjoyed the display of really pretty and intricate crystal products. It is the world’s largest collection of Waterford crystal display. There is also a retail store, and opportunity to take a guided tour.
Our summer trip to Ireland was quite enjoyable due to breathtaking scenery, ease of travel and hospitality of its people. Have a Guinness take time to plan your next trip to Ireland!
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