Are you ready for Ireland photos in between book talks? I could always put these on my personal blog for memories, but so many of you were patient while I was on my dream trip. So, I’m going to tell the story of that trip, but it will be here and there between scheduled book posts.
Everyone wanted to know what was most memorable about the trip to Ireland. It was the entire trip, going with my sister and brother-in-law. Ireland turned out to be just what I expected, which was a surprise, and even better. How can you drive along those roads, with green fields filled with sheep on one side, the ocean on the other, and come across a ruin or a castle, and not be in awe? There were mountains and ruins and charming buildings and music. And, I’m in love with Ireland.
I don’t really have a bucket list, but if I did, the only item on it was a trip to Ireland. My sister, Linda, and I had been talking about going for a couple years. She’s been there before, over twenty years ago, but not really to the southwestern portion of the Republic of Ireland. Neither of us wanted to drive on the wrong side of the road, so she enlisted her husband, Kevin. He had been there several times with his father, but, again, not to the section of Ireland where we were going. All I can say is, thank heaven for a patient man who can drive on the left side of the road, and shift with his left hand. Kevin made this trip possible.
We left New York City on Monday, October 3, via Aer Lingus, and arrived in Dublin on Tuesday, October 4.
After picking up the rental car, we drove to Kilkenny, on our way to Adare, which would be our home base. Monday was spent in the beautiful city of Kilkenny.
Can you believe this is the street scene from the lot where we parked in Kilkenny?
And, sometimes, I just took pictures of buildings because I liked them.
We had lunch at Playwright, a pub. In fact, except for breakfast, we ate every meal at a pub, and the food was wonderful. Here’s Playwright, inside. My lunch, the best shepherd’s pie I ever had. And, Linda & Kevin coming out of the pub. And, because we were there off-season, we were often the only Americans in the pubs.
Kevin said every photo would be of him coming out of a pub. (They aren’t – smile.)
Pubs and cathedrals, and castles. We spent time at all of them. Here’s St. Mary’s Cathedral in Kilkenny. Several churches had the same gates around them with shamrocks on them.
And, from St. Mary’s we went to Kilkenny Castle. (I have lots of photos of Kilkenny Castle.) The original castle was built by William Marshal during the first decade of the 13th century. Then, Kilkenny Castle became the principal Irish residence for the Butler family for almost 600 years. In 1967, the family presented the castle to the people of Kilkenny in return for 50 pounds.
And, then, the streets of Kilkenny again before we drove to Adare. (And, what would one of my trips be without pictures of doors? Ireland really does have beautiful doors.)
We stayed at Adare villas, on the property of Adare Manor, but only because Adare Manor is closed for renovations. Thanks to Groupon!
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| Home for the week in Ireland |
Wonderful day one, October 4. More soon.
Great pictures! They bring back memories. I notice the bookshop picture there too. And that Shepherds pie looks wonderful.
Thanks for the vicarious pleasure trip!
Thank you for letting me share! Saturday – Galway & The Burren. Tons of bookshops in Ireland! And, I went in two libraries, one in Adare and, of course, Trinity College's library.
I've been to England and Scotland but not Ireland. I wanted to go to England because my grandfather was born there.
Oh, Lesa, this was fun!!!! More, please!
I love that Kevin went with you and was your driver so that you and Linda could just sit back and enjoy every single second of the drive. I cannot even imagine. Castles. Castles!
Ireland is special for so many reasons. Love the architecture. Thank you for sharing, Lesa!
I don't blame you, Sandy. I'd like to see both some day. But, there's so much more I could see in Ireland!
Oh, yes, Kaye! Saturday's photos of The Burren are wonderful. Wait until you see them!
It's just magical, Beth. Pure magic.
Great pics! I went to Ireland about 10 years ago. Did the Ring of Kerry, toured the west coast and Galway, even took a ferry to the Aran Islands. It was so beautiful!
Rebecca @ The Portsmouth Review
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Yes, Rebecca. have pictures coming up of the Ring of Kerry & the west coast.
Wonderful photos – what an incredible trip that must have been!
Great photos!!
We spent one rainy day in Galway – this was 1981, remember, at the height of the hunger strikes after Bobby Sands' death – and had a wonderful time despite the incessant rain. I remember a bookshop and a very large, wet dog.
Thanks, everyone! Jeff, we were so lucky. We didn't have the rain. I'm so glad you had a wonderful time, though!
Such lovely photos! Thank you for sharing your trip with us!!!
Looks like a great trip. Love the castle photos!
One of two things on my bucket list. Thank you so much for the pictures.
You're welcome! I just loved this trip.
Great pictures! Glad you had a wonderful time. Eating in a pub daily sounds good to me. 🙂 I love Shepard's Pie. Comfort food for me.
Such lovely photos! Thanks so much for sharing them!
Thank you, everyone! The scenery is as beautiful as the photos make it appear. And, Bonnie? Great Shepherd's pie.
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