Sunday, January 10, 2010

8 day trip to Ireland

This past holiday season, we decided to fly to Dublin and spend just over a week exploring the island. Ireland is huge and very diverse, with so many things to do and cities to visit, so selecting a handful to explore wasn't an easy task. It's safe to say that our first visit to Ireland will definitely not be our last visit! And, for what it's worth, we found another country that we wouldn't mind living in for awhile.

Deets:

Air - We flew Ryanair, the low cost no-frill airline into Dublin. While the flight wasn't exactly as cheap as my previous flights (it was peak holiday season), it was quick and easy.

Daily Transportation - We rented a car from Enterprise. Michelle was very nice and helpful. It was nice to run into someone that was willing, and comfortable, making idle chitchat.

Accomodations - We rented a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment from Abode Dublin (review upcoming).

Weather - We were prepared for chilly temperatures. But, the freezing rain, slush, and snow were a surprise. I felt like I was back in the Midwest. Driving was a challenge for the locals as the weather was a rare event. In western Ireland, they received about a foot of snow and one of the locals told us that it was a once every 20 year event. Another gentleman in Waterford told us that he doesn't remember weather like this (bitterly frigid) in over 50 years!

Our whirlwind tour (detailed post will follow):

Days 1 & 2: Dublin

Day 3: Waterford, Cashel, Kilkenny

Days 4 & 5: Clonmacnoise, The burren, Cliffs of Moher, Galway, Kilbeggan, Kildare

Days 6, 7 & 8: Dublin and Malahide




Christ Church in Dublin, Ireland

Half Penny Bridge (built in 1816) over the Liffey River in Dublin, Ireland - so named because the toll was a half penny if you wanted to use it to cross the river.

No comments:

Post a Comment