Ireland Road Trip
Ireland Road Trip
Visiting Ireland was a dream come true for me. My mom’s family is 100% Irish, and I grew up on potatoes, Catholicism, and reciting Irish blessings and drinking toasts with my Grandpa.
Day 1
Day one really ended up being day two because we got mixed up with the time change and thought we had missed our connection to Cork, Ireland. By the time we realized our mistake, it was too late to go through security. We arrived in Cork the next day to discover I had rented a manual car. Two travel mishaps and a couple of tears later, we were on our way across the country to the Cliffs of Moher. That sure made up for the travel inconveniences.
First, we took a boat tour to the Aran Islands to see the cliffs from the water. The seas were very rough, so we couldn’t get too close. It also rained the entire time, but that made it feel like an authentic Irish welcome.
After our rainy adventures, we drove to our countryside Airbnb. We learned very quickly that you need to plan less things to do during the day because eating a late dinner just is not possible. This was a recurring issue throughout our travels. Our Airbnb host graciously drove our jet-lagged bunch to the nearest Supermac and was very proud referring to it as “Ireland’s McDonald’s with local beef.”
Day 2
The next day we woke up to muffins and orange juice prepared by our gracious hosts. Our day included a drive through the Ring of Kerry, which showcased the country’s natural beauty. We stopped to walk a beach, admired the cliffs, saw sheep up close, and ate at a seaside pub.
Day 3
In Kenmare, we stayed at my absolute favorite Airbnb - a charming old apartment above an art gallery. There was a cozy living room with board games, a memorable blue kitchen, clawfoot bathtub, and creaky stairs leading to an upstairs room with skylights. It was so unique and felt like home. Some of my family golfed while others of us explored the town. We started the day with a traditional Irish breakfast at Mick & Jimmy’s and visited nearly every shop. I fell in love with the local photographers, jewelers, and other artisans. You also can’t go wrong with the pubs in this town… we might have tried them all.
Day 4
While my family headed to participate in the Dingle Marathon, I headed back to Cork. I did not go to Dublin, so this was the largest city I visited. I found it to have an industrial and young ambiance. We ate our nicest meal at Market Lane, where they feature dishes made with locally-sourced ingredients and their own beer. After dinner, we wandered past the tourist bars and found a local pub with a wonderful band. Now, if only I could remember the name of the pub. I fell further in love with Cork after learning more about its music history. Other favorites included a remarkable, yet simple breakfast at the over 200 year-old English Market and a quick stop at the Blarney Castle & Gardens.
Ireland Travel Tips
Rent a car - even if it is scary to drive on the opposite side of the road. I actually found it impossible to ride on the passenger side for fear of the brick walls and shrubbery lining the narrow roads. Having a car will give you so much flexibility to discover new paths and towns along your journey.
Bring a raincoat - I’d also recommend some boots
Drink all the beer - it is just better in Ireland
