Important Notice: Vacation Coaching and Itinerary Services will be paused from April 5 - May 15 while I am leading tours in Ireland. If you want guided assistance please book soon.
Note: Be sure to read the updates about visiting Kilkenny Castle! Kilkenny Castle is the type of castle you picture in your mind. Imposing from the outside, opening to a great park at the rear and a garden with fountains at the front. Kilkenny Castle is almost like a fairy tale. Kilkenny Castle belonged to…
I love this shot of Doug as he was carrying Caelan through the cloister at Jerpoint Abbey. They were wandering through looking at carvings when Doug caught me taking pictures as they appeared in an archway. Irish historians say a very famous saint is buried near Jerpoint Abbey. See who it is in my visiting…
Staying at Glendine Country House We spent two nights at Glendine Country House during our last trip to Ireland. If you are traveling from Dublin the trip will take approximately 3 hours. If you are coming from Waterford City Glendine House is only 10k via car ferry (a great adventure for little ones!) We arrived…
We are big fans of taking our girls to pubs both in Ireland and the US. Thanks to Irish Central for this great article about pub etiquette. Love the bit about children! Especially in rural areas, where there are music sessions on, the pub is a place that all the family enjoy. So dont bother…
Brenna learned to walk just before we left for Ireland. She spent much of our vacation practicing her steps, learning to run away from Mommy and Daddy and getting used to hard soled shoes. It seemed like she spent as much time down as she did up. I love this photo of her in the…
I don’t know about you, but when I think of Ireland beautiful high crosses come to mind. And the Moone High Cross in County Kildare is one of the most spectacular I have seen… We happened across it on our way to Dublin from Kells Priory. Posted signs led us to the cross which sits…
My friends at Bitesize Irish Gaelic have been so helpful in my pursuit of learning to speak Irish. Their online classes are easy to use – my daughters do them with me – and understand. The lessons are so well done that my local Irish language class uses them. If you’re interested in learning Irish Gaelic and…
It’s pretty much a given that a 18 month old and a 3 year old don’t care a bit about nature or history and even castles get dull after you’ve explored a few. I found an easy way to keep the girls occupied when they were getting a bit bored. Ireland is filled with faeries,…
I adore Ireland because it is so welcoming. No matter what your family enjoys, you will find an activity (or tow or three) to fit your lifestyle. The attached article from Irish Central highlights 10 theme vacations in Ireland, from gourmet to rural- and everything in between. The most lovely thing about it is that…
Probably the top question I answer about Ireland has to do with the weather. My answer is usually, “Ireland is an island- the weather usually blows over”. But I thought these 100 Facts About Ireland’s Weather from Irish Weather Online were worth sharing. 3. The highest temperature ever recorded in Ireland was 33.3 °C (91.9…
My friend, Eoin, from Bitesize Irish Gaelic recently sent out these simple Irish phrases- with pronunciation- in his recent newsletter. With his permission I have reprinted them here. Simple phrases for Ireland (I’ve included approximate pronunciation for the phrases.) Dia dhuit (Hello) jee-ah gwit An bhfuil Gaeilge agat? (Do you speak Irish?) on wil gwayl-ih-ga…
There are really no words to fully describe how awe inspiring and overwhelming it feels as you approach the Rock of Cashel on foot. As you look up the rocky slope at the solid walls looming above you feel very small and rather insignificant. And when you stop to realize the entire imposing structure was…
The Cliffs of Moher has been one of Ireland’s top tourist attractions for at least 200 years. O’Brien’s Tower was built as a viewing spot in 1835. And though the view from the cliffs doesn’t change, the thrill of visiting has yet to waiver. I’ve visited the Cliffs of Moher three times- and never has…
This is one of my favorite images from our time at the Rock of Cashel. But I can never decide if I like it in full color or black & white better… I love the full color version because is shows the brilliant blue sky (it was late November and the weather was incredible), the…
Every time I visit Ireland it seems I bring home at least two packages of Butler’s Chocolates- usually Irish Cream and Whiskey Truffles- so I was thrilled when I saw that the Butler Chocolate factory is now open for tours! I know my girls would adore the interactive mini factory! This is definitely going to…
I was so excited to take my family to Killarney when we visited in 2008 as I had enjoyed the area so much when I visited as a single person in 2002. Yes, it is the most touristed area in Ireland- but that’s for good reason. It’s the base for most Ring of Kerry tours, the lakes…
Every time I see this sign it makes me smile. We had just left the Cliffs of Moher, heading for our B&B in Doolin. Not a quarter mile before this sign the speed limit had increased. It may have been the irony that made it so funny at the time, but I think there…
I took this photo on our second day in Ireland at the Cliffs of Moher. It was my daughter’s first trip to the Emerald Isle- she had just turned 1- as well as my husband’s. Much about the Cliffs of Moher has changed since that trip- when we returned in 2008 a new visitor’s center…
Whether planning your first trip to Ireland – or your twenty first- it can be difficult to choose what to see. This map of Ireland, published by Authentic Ireland Travel, has virtual stickpins marking some of Ireland’s most popular attractions. You can also change the view to show counties. This is especially nice as an overview…