Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve been infatuated with all things history, especially family history, which made me pretty much obsessed with anything to do with Ireland and Scotland.
My mother’s maternal grandfather was a McDaniel, hailing from the McDonnell clan, originally from Scotland, then taking over lands in County Antrim, North Ireland.
I can’t begin to tell you how many books I’ve read, both fiction and non-fiction, that were based in Ireland; and fantasized about living life there in the past, what it must have been like, and how amazing it must have been.
Now those who know me personally, know that I’m basically a homebody. I’ve barely left Texas, much less been overseas, or even been on a plane past the age of 5 years old, so the fact that I just returned from a week-long trip from Ireland is a special occasion at the ripe old age of 45.
I was lucky enough to have my friend Curtis, also from Texas, to invite me on his third trip to the Emerald Ilse, along with our friend Sylvia, from Germany; and boy did we have a great adventure!
Just like any other place, Ireland does have some cons, but the pros completely outweighed them.
We landed in Dublin and took a coastal tour around the entire island with Curtis as our tour guide and chauffeur. Might I mention that driving on the other side of the road is so strange; and don’t get me started on all of the round-a-bouts!
Our trip was fast and furious, trying to cram in as many locations as possible into our six days. While we did see many ruins, churches, and cute little shops, for the sake of space, I’ll just hit the highlights of the major locations we visited.
We started in Dublin and headed for Belfast, checking out all the great art and history and had our first pub food and drink of Guinness.
Next, we headed up to North Ireland, to County Antrim where my ancestors are from, to check out the Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge, which my partners crossed. I did not! I was too scared.
Then we went down the road a little way to the Giant’s Causeway. If you don’t know the history and the mythology of this location, it’s worth looking into, very interesting.
Blarney Castle was my favorite location, if I had to choose one. It’s so old and beautiful. Lots of pretty scenery on the castle grounds with native plants and there was even a piper in proper kilt attire playing the bagpipes, which really set the ambiance of the place.
We did not kiss the Blarney Stone because the wait was too long, but it was still worth the visit. Besides, this reporter doesn’t need any help in the gab department.
The Rock of Cashel is a place I’ve seen images of and always felt a connection to. In person, it’s even more beautiful. It’s an old cathedral ruin with a graveyard. It’s located at the top of the largest hill in the area and can be seen from all directions. It’s a gorgeous view.
Kilkenny Castle, while still old, is a newer castle than the Blarney. It’s more of what I would consider a palace. You can go inside and take tours where you will see all types of original and historical furnishings and art. Such opulence!
Last, but not least, was Newgrange and Knowth. This place, just WOW! It’s more than 5,000-years-old. The prehistoric neolithic people of that area built huge domes to bury their dead. The site has the oldest art in that part of Europe, but due to there being no written records from that time, it is unknown as to what the images represent. The archaeologists can only speculate. It’s just mind blowing to sit and think about how the peoples of that time were able to create these structures without any of the technologies we have today.
I could go on forever talking about Ireland, the history, its beauty, and the kindness of the locals there, but you really should see it for yourself.
If I could have done anything differently, I would have taken this trip about 20 years ago; but I’m so thankful to have had the opportunity to go in my lifetime.
My recommendation to you, dear reader, is that if you have a chance to live your dream, whatever it may be, it’s not too late. Do what you must do to make it happen. You won’t regret it!
Did I take photos you ask? Well of course! What kind of photographer goes on a trip without taking photos? We will be posting just a handful on the website, but if you want to see the tons of photos taken, you are welcome to find me on Facebook and check out the different albums.
While I absolutely LOVED Ireland, I am happy to be back home to the family, friends, and job that I love.
