Killarney, Dingle, Ennis, Donegal, Derry, Belfast and Dublin

In September/October, 2019, Paul and I, along with our friend Melanie Morris, took a three week OAT tour of Ireland. The pre-trip started in the southwest corner of the country, in Killarney, County Kerry and then Dingle. Then in Ennis we met the remaining three members for our group of 16. Our guide was Joan Greene, who was fabulous, and she shared with us her love of her country. The trip route took us northward along the west coast of Ireland, they across the north and back down the east coast too Dublin. We had extended our trip by one day on each end. What we didn't realize when booking was that we would be flying into Shannon, but the trip actually started in Killarney, about two hours away. We found our own transportation to Killarney and it all worked out well.

Irish Adventure: 2019

Killarney

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Killarney sits on Lake Killarney in County Kerry and is a small town, easy for walking around. We stayed at the Abbey Lodge, about a ten minute walk from town. On our extra day we visited the Killarney Castle and Saint Mary's Cathedral. The next day the rest of our group arrived. Our driving tour of the "Ring of Kerry" was windy and soggy. That was how much of the rest of the trip would be. We stopped at the Cahergall Stone Fort, dating back to the Iron Age. A rest stop provided a photo op with Charlie Chaplin.

The next day we started off in Jaunting Cars, pulled by a horse. It was a peaceful ride in the park to Killarney Lake where we took small boats out to an island to see the ancient ruins of an ancient Abbey. That was where Grace hurt her knee, and was on crutches for the rest of the trip.

Dingle

On the drive from Killarney to Dingle we stopped to visit a retired dairy farmer and his wife. She made scones for us and he escorted the group around the farm. We the stopped at Inch Beach to check out the surfing. The one day in Dingle the group visited a farm while Grace and Paul rested her knee.

Ennis

On the drive from Dingle to Ennis we stopped at the South Pole Museum, honoring Tom Crean, and Irishman on a Shackleton Expedition, then visited our guide's cafe: Joan's. Then a stop at the Tralee Rose Garden. Lunch was at the lovely Listowel Hotel. The last comfort stop was at the "Flying Boat" museum. We stayed at the lovely Ye Olde Grounde Hotel right downtown Ennis.
The first day started with the group had a "Day In The Life" visit to a farm. We took a bus out to the Cliffs of Moher where we met the group in the afternoon. It was raining hard and the wind blowing hard, so by the end of the day, those who didn't have proper rain gear were soaked. Not Us!!!

Bunratty Castle

The "Optional Tour" was a trip to visit the Bunratty Castle and  living village of reconstructed buildings. The group got a tour of several floors in the castle and then had time to wander around the grounds. All of the buildings were set up like they would have been when used in the past.

Clifden

Leaving Ennis, we traveled west to Clifden, which is way out near the west coast. Our morning stop was at the Liam Gaelic Games Club where we learned about Gaelic football and about the came hurling. We even put on helmets and practiced the moves. The also fed us a nice lunch. There was another stop in Galway and the last at the Connemara Marble factory.
Our day in Clifden corresponded with Hurricane Lorenzo, which was due to strike the west coast of Ireland. We were visiting Jim, the sheep farmer when it hit with high winds and rain. We still got to watch him work his dog to gather up a group of sheep for us to see up close. Afterwards we enjoyed some hot drinks and had a chance to learn that he runs 600 head of sheep.

Kylemore Estate and Abbey

After visiting the sheep ranch we stopped at Kylemore Abbey. The hurricane was still in full force and it was all we could do was walk up to it. It was built in the mid 1800s by Mitchell Henry for his family. Today it is still occupied by the Benedictine Nuns.

Donegal

The drive from Clifden to Donegal was a long one. On the way we learned about the Potato Famine and made a stop at the National Famine Monument of a model coffin ship. We then stopped in Sligo for lunch and a chance to learn about W.B. Yeats. As we drove up the coast we stopped at a viewpoint were we could see the Classiebawn Castle where Lord Mountabben spent summers.
The first day in Donegal started with a visit to Cyndi Graham's Weaving Workshop. She showed us how she sets up her loom and how it works. Many of our group bought her products. Afterward we met with a retired fisherman to learn about that industry.
The second day was beautiful and we took a tour of the Donegal Castle, had lunch and did a little shopping.

Derry

On the drive from Donegal to Derry, Northern Ireland we made and unscheduled stop at the Grianan of Aileach, an ancient fort, because it was a beautiful day. In Derry we walked along the top of the wall surrounding the city and discussed the "Troubles," the hard times. A bus ride took us by many of the buildings with large murals depicting the hard political times.
From Derry we drove along the north coast to Carrick-a-Rede and the rope bridge and then to the Giant's Causeway geological wonder of columnar basalt. The last stop of the day was at the Old Bushmills Distillery for a chance to sample their whiskey.

Belfast

On the way to Belfast from Derry we stopped in Ballycastle to see the swan sculpture depicting the legend "Children of Lin." The next morning stop was Glenariff Forest Park where most of the group walked down the path with many steps, to see the waterfalls. We rode down on the bus and saw them as well. An afternoon stop was where there is a plaque honoring Paddy the fastest carrier pigeon from WWII. In Belfast we walked around. The next day we rode in the famous black taxis to learn, from the driver's point of view, the causes and the current remedies for the troubled times. He took us to the wall separating the Catholic and Protestant parts of the city. The Catholics had painted murals depicting historical and current events. The Protestants had posted large mural photographs of parts or the world with walls separating people. We signed the wall next to the Arab/Israeli wall mural. We also had a chance to visit with three former political prisoners from the three sides of the war. They shared their stories and how they are now working for peace. Our afternoon was spent in the Titanic Museum. Belfast is where the Titanic was built.

Dublin

On the way to Dublin from Belfast we stopped by St. Patrick's Cathedral for a quick look. It is beautiful. Then there was a stop at Navan Fort, an ancient archaeological site. Tradition dates it before the Christian Gaelic Ireland. The lunch stop was at the Armagh Cider Company where we learned about their orchards and the cider making industry, It is "hard" cider in Ireland. The last day of the main tour we did a drive around Dublin and then we said goodbye to our driver, Dave. Joan, our guide, walked us through some areas near what is left of the Dublin Castle and along some interesting streets. The afternoon was spent doing a little shopping before having our farewell dinner in the evening. It was sad to say goodbye to our new friends.

Extra Day in Dublin: EPIC Museum & Book of Kells

We had booked one extra day in Dublin and we made good use of it. In the morning we went to the EPIC Irish Emigration Museum, built in old underground warehouses. It was very well done. Afterwards Grace and Melanie went to Trinity College to see the Book of Kells exhibit. It was very well done and interesting. The next day we headed for the airport and home. It was a great trip, even if it was a bit soggy at times, and one we would recommend.

Long Room, upstairs