As previously mentioned the boys went on their surf trip so a week later during school holidays Lauren and I set off on a road trip around southern Ireland. We felt comfortable driving here as they drive on the same side of the road we are used to, we had also already been to Dublin so we could limit our time to the south.
We flew into Shannon and drove to Patrickswell, a small village outside of Limerick where a family friend of mine Paul Feasey and his wife Betty Ann and their two children live.
We had a lovely dinner and then went out for a few drinks, the next day slightly worse for wear we took a look around the tourist village Adare, had an awesome roast lunch and hit the road heading towards Blarney.
Thatched cottages in Adare
Myself and the Feaseys
After arriving in Blarney and finding a B&B, the next day after a full Irish breakfast we set out to visit Blarney Castle. We took a look around the grounds before heading up to kiss the Blarney stone.
Blarney Castle
Lol behind bars under Blarney Castle
The sacrifice
Giving the stone a wee kiss
That afternoon we drove to a coastal town just outside of Cork called Kinsale, it what came to be a theme of the trip the fish and chip store I had had recommended to me was closed on Mondays. Instead we took some sandwiches along the 'scenic' river drive to eat. We could not see a thing - FOG - also became a theme of our trip to Ireland.
Eating Lunch in Kinsale
After lunch we drove back into Cork to a B&B (the worst of our stay) it was slightly worse for wear, again with recommendations for restaurants in hand we set off for dinner only to find everywhere was closed that Monday evening! In the end we asked a girl of our age for any recommendations and she listed all the places we had already been to visit. A bit of a disappointment.
However, we found food and got a good nights rest before heading in the direction of Killarney the next morning. We took another trip to the coast on the way, this time to Baltimore - again there was little to sea because of the fog but we wandered around before heading back to a small town on route to Killarney where we have cake and tea (we drank alot of tea on this trip).
We reached Killareny and stayed in lovely B&B there. The next day we hired bikes and biked through part of Killarney National Park and then went to visit a castle just outside the town centre.
Me on my bike in Killarney National Park
After another night in Killarney and loads more tea and another Irish breakfast we set off to drive around the Ring of Kerry heading towards Dingle, another coastal town.
Now I'm sure that this stretch of Ireland is stunning in good weather but again the fog returned. In a spur of the moment decision we turned off the road to visit an old fort that dated back to pre christianity. This was quite impressive and in the fog so much easier to imagine what it would have been like when people really lived there.
Lol walking around the edge of the Fort.
We arrived in Dingle - after driving along a coastline similar to Kaikoura. The B&B we had intended to stay at were closed (typical) so we wandered the street and found an amazing little B&B and took their last room. The lovely Irish lady recommended a number of places to eat and listen to traditional Irish music so off we went.
Lol and I after our dinner at an Irish pub
At another pub waiting for the music to start.
We woke to another day of terrible weather and set out on our longest leg Dingle to Galway which included a ferry crossing.
On the way to Galway we stopped at the cliffs of Moher, regardless of the weather this was impressive and the rain did stop for us.
Lol and I at the cliffs of Moher
We reached Galway and had two nights here before flying back to London, we took a look around the city and went out for a few drinks one night. We also took the opportunity to enjoy a nice room, a large plasma and some good ol X Factor.
We did venture out one afternoon to a castle we could see on a map - but in typical fashion it was closed. However, on closer inspection I could see that my jumping on the bridge that led to the castle into the paddock below and running through this I was likely going to be able to scale an outer wall of the castle and go inside the grounds, so this I did. Lol then joined me and for once we got to inside a closed attraction and wander the grounds.
Me back outside the castle where I should be.
The trip was great fun, we still look back now 6 months on and laugh with the weather and so many closed attractions and resultants we are not likely to forget this trip for a while.
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