Galway

I am finally blogging about the current day! We are in Galway for the night. Our hotel, The Jurys Inn, is on the High Street, a pedestrian shopping area in the city center. We shopped a little when we got here, and went to the Christmas Market at Eyre Square.

 My crepe is The Nutty Professor (in the back). Nutella and Snickers, drizzled with chocolate. I thought of my sister, Tracy, the whole time I ate it. You would LOVE it! 

Cliffs of Moher

After our drive through the Dingle Peninsula, we drove straight through to Limerick. Although I would have liked to have spent some time here (I was very interested in this town after reading Angela's Ashes), we found a hotel outside of the City Center, closer to the University of Limerick. By the time we got to the hotel, it was later and dark, so we stayed in for the night. We initially had tried to book 2 nights in Galway, but found it to be difficult (as we now found out, Monday is a bank holiday in Ireland, so they have a long weekend).

We got up early today (Sunday) and drove to the Cliffs of Moher. Ireland had campaigned to have the Cliffs be a part of the new Wonders of the World, but it unfortunately, did not make the cut. I have no idea why, because they are spectacular and breath taking.

Ring of Kerry

The drive to Dingle was beautiful. I love this place. We had gotten a recommendation from the Killarney B&B for a place in Dingle to stay, The Coast Line. Loved it! Here's the view from our window.

Oh! I forgot the sheep! There are adorable sheep everywhere, but especially in this region of Ireland. On our drive to Dingle, we saw (and talked to) them in many places along the road. There were a few times, just like in the movies, that we had to stop for sheep on the road. They just walk along, not really caring if cars are behind them. so cute!

Dingle is a fishing village and is right out of a movie. It is out of the way for some tourists, so it was pretty quiet, even for a Friday evening. We talked to the bartender at the Dingle Pub, and he said 75% of the tourists who come to Dingle now are Americans. We found that to be true while in the pubs that night (except for the Spanish fishermen who were in the pub too). We enjoyed a meal, a pint (or 3) and some good local music.

As you can see, it was a dark, gloomy day. The wind was fierce, even more than at Blarney Castle. I thought a few times we were going to be blown away! The next day, Saturday, we drove around the Dingle Peninsula. If you have seen the movie, Far and Away, this is where they filmed at the beginning when still in Ireland. So beautiful and almost surreal.

before 

after!

We stopped in a pottery shop, one our host in Dingle recommended.  That is one thing that is not lacking in Ireland, pottery shops! Loved this one though, and the quality was amazing. 

Killarney

After visiting Blarney, we headed to Killarney. I love this town. It is such a "little Irish village". We spent Thanksgiving here at a wonderful B&B I had found on Trip Advisor (which I highly recommend if you are ever planning to stay at a B&B). We walked around town and had fish and chips for Thanksgiving dinner at a local pub, along with a family from the mid-west, all wearing Green Bay Packers gear. They had come back to the pub for dinner and to watch the Packers v Lions game on tv. So, we still had our Thanksgiving dinner with football!

I wish we had pictures of Killareny itself. The night we walked around it was so rainy and windy (and dark). None of our pictures of the town turned out. Sorry!

The next day, our hosts told us we should take a short tour around Killarney National Park. We saw a waterfall, the lake, and beautiful scenery.

Our short tour turned into a 4 hour tour with a wrong turn and a back road that was very narrow and very remote. I was so thankful that Ellie was driving. I told her that I was conquering my control issues with her driving. Every ride was like a roller coaster, with not knowing what twist or turn was coming next.

Cork

 By some pure Irish luck, we found our hotel in Cork. It sits on a hill in the St. Lukes area of Cork, about a 10 minute walk into the city center. We had reservations, but of course, once again, we arrived in Cork in the dark, rain and rush hour. With unclear directions and then stopping for directions, we found it, finally.

The next morning, we made the trek to the city center. Cork is a larger city, with shopping and markets.
We walked all over the main city, seeing Cathedrals, the English Market, and lots of shops.

Dungarvan

On the way to Cork from Waterford, we stopped in Dungarvan.

Blarney Castle

It is a cold blustery day today. We drove to Blarney and toured the castle. The wind was blowing fierce and was even worse the higher we climbed up the narrow, winding staircase to the top. I was thinking my mother would have a panic attack with how steep and narrow the steps and staircase was!
When we got the top, we saw the gorgeous view of the countryside, and decided it was worth the climb up. Of course we both had our moments of panic as the wind gusts blew us around up top, or we realized how far up we were! Hilarious video was shot in the moment...then the cameras were put away for fear of walking somewhere we shouldn't and falling off the castle.
Below is Blarney House, the castle and grounds and the town of Blarney itself.

Waterford

We arrived in Waterford in the dark, without a hotel reservation, and in 5 o'clock traffic. Luckily, there is one main road along the river which brought us to a lovely old hotel named The Granville Hotel. It was the perfect price, and included parking and breakfast.

By the time we arrived, it was close to 6pm, and the shops were beginning to close. We found this was true all over Ireland, shops close at 6 and restaurants/pubs start serving food at 6. We walked around town, which was decorated for the holidays.

The next morning, we headed out to Waterford Crystal. The woman who sat next to Ellie on the plane from JFK to Dublin works at the reception desk, so we got free admission to the tour. I have a whole new appreciation for crystal now.

These are the wooden molds used to form the crystal. Yes, even Justin Timerlake has a mold.

As a part of the tour, we watched how a vase is made from beginning to end. From the glass being blown, shaped, marked and etched.



While we were at Waterford, they were working on the People's Choice awards too. (not pictured)