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…
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…
Most know that stunning Kylemore Abbey was home to a private school for girls for quite a few years. Now, Kylemore Abbey is opening their doors to students again to learn through discovery, creative technologies and adventure sports with the Connemara Maths Academy. After a few conversations with Connemara Maths Academy on Twitter, I requested…
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.
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…
I’ve visited Bunratty Castle and Folk Park three times on vacation to Ireland. The first time was in 2002. I was traveling alone and set to fly out of Shannon the next morning. My incredible hostess Marian O’Meara at Estuary View B&B insisted that a Medieval Banquet should not be missed. As I thawed from a visit to…
In November 2005 Brenna had just had her first birthday, and Doug and I our second anniversary, so we packed up our small family for our first family trip to Ireland. We landed at Shannon Airport shortly after 9am. I had been in contact with our first B&B and knew that, if necessary, we could…
Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, a favorite of tourists and locals for over 50 years, just got a facelift! Now, there’s not a lot you can do to a nearly 600-year-old castle that is already regarded as the most complete and authentically restored and furnished castle in all of Ireland. But you can do quite…
Want to learn an Irish jig during your Ireland vacation? The Irish Dance Experience in Galway is the place to go! This article is also available as a podcast. To listen please scroll to the player at the bottom of the page. Riverdance & the Culture of Irish Dance It’s been over 25 years since…
Of all the islands off the shores of Ireland, the Aran Islands may be the most well known. About the Aran Islands Located off the west coast of Ireland, the Aran Islands are accessible by ferry from County Galway, Rossaveel year-round or Galway City from March thru September, and Doolin from March thru mid-September. There…
Highlights along the Wild Atlantic Way between Lahinch, County Clare and Sneem, County Kerry. Vandeleur Walled Garden Located in Kilrush, not far from the Shannon Ferry. Lovely walled garden and tasty cafe. Find more enchanting Irish gardens! Carrigafoyle Castle Built in the 1490s by the O’Connor Kerry. Managed by the OPW and open from May…
It’s our second night in Lahinch. Our day began calm – and even a bit sunny – but now the rain is coming down in buckets, the wind is whistling, and the waves are beating the rocks on the beach below. In other words, it was a perfect Irish day. Victorian Village of Kilkee, County…
I am writing this from a lovely seaside apartment in Lahinch, County Clare, just south of the Cliffs of Moher. Lahinch is known for its golf links, a very nice beach, and surfing. Today we spent a few hours at the Aillwee Burren Experience . Originally known as Aillwee Cave, this Burren attraction opened in…
Ireland is a country known for stunning landscapes and natural beauty. The abundant rainfall that contributes to the country’s ’40 shades of green’ is also at least partially responsible for the lush gardens you’ll find across the country. While the majority of public gardens seem to be concentrated in the ‘sunny southeast’, you can easily…
Wondering about the best places to visit in Ireland in 2024? And, if you are planning on visiting one of these tops spots, you’ve probably wondered if there are any secrets to having an amazing visit – and maybe avoiding the crowds (as much as possible). The answers to your questions are below – based…