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Post Info TOPIC: We did what everybody said we shouldn't, and we're glad.
menornbury


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We did what everybody said we shouldn't, and we're glad.
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Yes that's right, we drove to more destinations than everybody said we should and we loved it. DAY ONE: We (my wife and I) arrived in Dublin at 5:30 am on the 26th of march picked up our car and after a spin around the area to get used to the car we headed straight for Belfast. We arrived in Belfast about 8:30 am and found a car park. Our first stop was Breakfast(Ulster fry, mmmm) After a great breakfast and some high test coffee it was off to the Titanic experience. When we were done with the Titanic we headed for our hotel (10 Square was a great place to stay) to check in and get a nap. After our nap we walked around for a bit of exploration, then we headed back to our hotel for a couple of pints and dinner. Having finished dinner we walked a bit and found a pub called Fibber Mcgees where there was live music several pints and great conversation. When we left the pub it was back to the hotel for the night.

DAY TWO: We left our hotel and headed for Bushmills and took a tour of the distillery of the same name. We were going to have a bite to eat at their cafe, but a bus unloaded before we could get into line, so we left. Across the street from the Bushmills car park there is a super market, so we went in, explored, and bought our picnic lunch. After our lunch we headed to the Giant's Causeway. What an amazing place. We left the causeway shortly before the visitor center closed and headed for Sligo.

To be continued...DSCN6955.JPGDSCN6971.JPG



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Michele Erdvig


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Welcome back home. Looks like you had a lovely day for the Giant's Causeway. Looking forward to hearing more about your trip. biggrin 



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menornbury


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Day 2 cont.. We spent the night just outside of sligo in Ballygawley and to get a nice candle light dinner and a bottle of wine, and an early to bed.
Day 3: we rose early and headed for Lisdoonvarna. We got there earlier than than we thought we would even with stop a at a church and a stop on the corkscrew road to see the vista.

We were allowed to check into our inn early, which allowed us to walk the town center and get a bite to eat. After eating we headed to the cliffs of Moher. 

To be cont...

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menornbury


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When we returned from the cliffs, we had dinner and a pint at our hotel. then it was off to see the town pubs and sample several pints. We set off the next morning for Blarney, where we saw the castle, kissed the stone, and shopped in the mill across the street. Our B and B was fabulous. In the morning we headed for Aughrim with a stop at the Wicklow gaol. Our next stop for the night was very stately. We were greeted with tea when we arrived. After we freshened up we were called to the drawing room for sherry before dinner. When our four course dinner was finished we retired to the drawing room for tea and fudge. Breakfast the next morning was just as great as our dinner. With dinner behind us it was off to Clontarf for our last two nights.

In conclusion, we saw Belfast, Ballygawley, Lisdoonvarna, Blarney, Aughrim, Clontarf, and Dublin in eight days, with stops in between. Several people told us not to do it that way but we're glad we did. We feel we know what areas we like better and we'll make those the focus of our next trip.



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Michele Erdvig


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Way to go! You got your quickie appetizer of Ireland and now know what you want to concentrate on for another trip. Like many here one trip just isn't enough. wink Glad you enjoyed Ireland.

What was the fabulous B&B in Blarney?

Thanks for the report and for the photos.



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"Ireland Expert"  Michele Erdvig

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menornbury


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The B&B in Blarney was the Maranatha house.DSCN0298.JPGDSCN7155.JPGDSCN0301.JPGDSCN7179.JPG



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Michele Erdvig


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Thanks for the rec. I enjoyed your report and the pictures. Will you spend longer next time?

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"Ireland Expert"  Michele Erdvig

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menornbury


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Next time we go we want to spend a lot of time in the Wicklow mountains or over in Lisdoonvarna and day trip around. I think that will have to be the year after next though.

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Itallian Chauffeur


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Welcome Back and thank you for 'Reporting In'! biggrin

I'm probably one of the 'Everybody' that tried to discourage you! aww aww

You are proof positive that there are MANY traveling styles.  I'm happy that your trip was so enjoyable and that you are already discussing the NEXT visit!

Your style of travel is NOT for the faint-hearted!  There appears to have been a LOT of 'Windshield Time' and you passed by a LOT of really interesting sites along the way ..

BUT -- It was YOUR vacation and you enjoyed doing it YOUR way -- So, as the Irish say, "Fair Play To You'!  biggrin  biggrin

What do you have planned for your next visit?



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markan


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Well not everybody said you shouldn't do this. I think maybe 2 or 3 cautioned against it but at the end of the day "to each their own". I think it's pretty typical that a first time visitor to Ireland tends to cover a lot of ground. I know I did. My first visit in 1990 involved mostly one night stays and went from Galway, Westport, Dublin, Blarney, Killarney, and Bunratty in that order. You figure out what you liked the best and go back and spend more time there.

Anyhow enjoyed your report and your photos.


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menornbury


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Windshield time was actually pretty exciting for me, being that I am a truck driver by profession. My only regret was that I didn't stop at a service area and talk to some truck drivers. Oh well there'll be next time.

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Michele Erdvig


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It was a bus-man's holiday then. biggrin



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"Ireland Expert"  Michele Erdvig

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