When the opportunity presents itself to join a knowledgeable local at a rarely explored historic site, you take it. (<– important travel tip!) When that knowledgeable local is Neil Jackman, archaeologist and executive director of Abarta Heritage , you happily trudge out in heavy rain to hear the stories he has to tell. Like many…
I am directionally challenged. Even on the best of days, when the sun is rising or setting, I can have difficulty knowing east from west. So a cloudy Irish day can really set me backward- even with a sat nav (gps) to help guide my way. Which is how I found myself on a small…
When you close your eyes and picture Ireland, what do you see? If the answer includes round towers and high crosses, then you’ll want to be sure Clonmacnoise in County Offaly is part of your Ireland itinerary. Located in the heart of Ireland at what once was a major crossroads where the north/south route of the…
It is said that you haven’t truly visited Connemara until you have touched the hand of the Connemara Giant. Perched atop his pedestal in Recess, halfway between Galway city and Clifden , Conn is my first welcome to Connemara. Read More: Clifden- The Capital of Connemara The Legend of the Connemara Giant We were woefully…
When touring western Ireland it is easy to overlook a visit to the Burren. After all, in 1651, when Cromwell’s troops were herding the Irish west one officer said, “”of this barony it is said that it is a country where there is not water enough to drown a man, wood enough to hang one,…
Back in the fall of 2014 I received and email asking for a few trip tips. The fun twist to this was that the family asking for advice was from my own community in Iowa and had 2 daughters near my own daughters’ ages! (cue ‘It’s a Small World’) The family would be staying in…
While there is much to do in the immediate vicinity of Killarney, you’ll find equally as much if you venture out a ways. A car is highly recommended- unless you decide to tour the Ring of Kerry- for these trips. Ring of Kerry The Iveraugh peninsula is probably the most traveled area in Ireland. And…
The Irish are natural storytellers, and often their tales are best told through song. Such is the ballad of Dan O’Hara. For refusing to pay increased rent (due to increasing the windows size in his cottage), Dan and his family were evicted and forced to emigrate to New York. Dan’s wife and three of his…
Just the name, Connemara, evokes such wondrous imagery. The “wild west” of Ireland, where roads may or may not drop you into the Atlantic Ocean as it crashes against the shore. The place where famed Connemara Marble is cut from The Tweleve Bens mountain range. Where romance tumbles with sadness and ends in hope at Kylemore Abbey. Yes, Connemara…
It had been just over a year since our last visit to Clifden, Connemara in the western-most reaches of County Galway. My husband and mother were with us this trip, which gave us an incentive to return to the area, though one never really needs a reason to return to the beauty that is Connemara….
In all our visits to Bunratty Castle and Folk Park (I think we’re up to 5 now), I had never stopped to eat at Durty Nelly’s, which sits in the shadows of the castle, its mustard exterior bright against the grey stones beyond. Our lack of visits in the past can be blamed on timing – there…
Looking for the best place to stay in Doolin, Ireland? The Doolin Inn is a boutique hotel in the centre of town. Close to Cliffs of Moher & Burren.
One of the most common questions I receive when helping people plan their Ireland family vacations is, “We want to visit the Dingle Peninsula. Can we do it in a day trip from Killarney/ Adare/ Cork?” I answer honestly – yes, you can. But then I add, “You will likely feel rushed, and you may…
A quick jaunt from Killarney or Limerick, the Dingle peninsula is a terrific destination during an Ireland family vacation. The Dingle Skellig Hotel, perched on the edge of Dingle Bay, offers spacious family rooms, a tasty breakfast buffet and is an easy 5 minute walk from the center of Dingle town. What to Do on…
It was the penguins that drew us to Oceanworld Aquarium in Dingle . And by us, I mean my daughters- especially my eldest, who is just crazy about them. While I had fond memories of the staggering beauty of Slea Head Drive and my first view of town from Connor Pass, all Brenna had to…
It’s one of Ireland’s top destinations, visited by nearly one million people annually. No one can deny the Cliffs of Moher are simply stunning. Standing high above the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean, you can see for miles along the coast and even across the water as far as the Aran Islands on a…
One of the most common questions I receive when helping people plan their Ireland family vacations is, “We want to visit Dingle. Can we do it in a day trip from Killarney/ Adare/ Cork?” I answer honestly – yes, you can. But you will likely feel rushed, and you may have to cut short or…
This article is based on a podcast episode featuring Fiona Dalton, the founder of Dalton’s Musical History Tours. If you prefer to listen to the podcast, you can find the player at the bottom of the page. Visiting Dublin? Learn about the Dublin Pass Here Dalton’s Musical History Tour of Dublin Learn about the history…
Ireland’s history is rich and complex, with the Great Famine being one of the most significant events. The Irish Famine, known as an Gorta Mór, the Great Hunger, in Ireland, changed not only Irish history but, arguably, the history and future of countries across the globe as over one million people died from hunger and other…
As if 2020 didn’t bring about enough disaster, late in the year Dingle’s famous dolphin, Fungi, disappeared, never to be seen again. While many hope he just left the waters of Dingle to join a pod of dolphin, it is much more likely that Fungi raced beside his favorite boats as a final goodbye, then…