Our Trip to Ireland

Well, it's been two weeks since we left Ireland, but it is still fresh in our minds as one of the best holidays we've taken! Wow, the scenary was so great and we did have the luck of the Irish as it didn't rain! (It sure did back home in England...surprise, surprise!)

We took the ferry over to Ireland. It was a fun experience for the kids, but it was a long journey - 11 hours in total. So we were glad to reach our cottage and sleep a bit before exploring the Southeast coast of Ireland. We spent Sunday driving the coast and visiting the world's oldest working lighthouse. It was extremely windy, but that didn't stop us from going to the beach and getting nice and dirty (I'm getting used to it - the boys are just draw to anything that will lead to me spending time with the washing machine!).

The next morning we took off early for the West side of Ireland, where most people say the prettiest views are. They are right! We explored the ring of Kerry all day. First we hired a horse and trap to see the Gap of Dunloe. A gap between two mountains carved by a glacier. Loads of abandoned houses from the potato famine of the 1800s when half of the Irish left for the US. The boys enjoyed it, but their favorite part was watching the horse poop. Yes, we pay good money to keep them entertained! We did a bit more sight seeing before landing in a pub for my first Guinness (YUM!!).

Tuesday was the Dingle Penisula. A rainbow invited us into the Penisula, but sadly no pot of gold was found. But, it was green and lush with sheep grazing everywhere - just as you would imagine it to be. We had to stop at a beach for the boys, but they were excited to also hike up a semi-mountain with absolutely no fencing above the high cliffs that led straight into the blue water. Yikes, was I nervous! No problems thought, so their reward was the hotel pool (probably the highlight of the trip).

Wednesday we headed back east and stopped at Blarney Castle. Tom and I kissed the Blarney stone to try to gain the gift of eloquence. Not quite sure if it worked or not, but it is one of the 99 things the Travel Channel says you should do before you die. It was pretty cool.

The rest of the time was spent at our cottage in Dunmore East relaxing and spending time at the beach. The weather was sunny and somewhat warm, so the boys had a great time. We were sad to leave on Saturday, but eager to get home to a regular routine. Ireland is one place that we hope to return to someday - it is so beautiful!