Ireland Exploration

Highlights Map

Our trip for this year with our family has been split in two with the first part being upon request Ireland. Of course we always wanted to visit the Emerald Isle so we settle upon a one week tour of the isle using a rental car and start planning.

Click on the Links below or Markers on the map above to go directly to a specific part of our trip and to see the results of all that planning and to follow our tour that spends most time in the Republic of Ireland and one day in Northern Ireland.

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  First steps in Dublin exploring O’Connell StreetAugust 6, 2011
  On the first day in Ireland we explore Dublin starting with the central and impressive O’Connell Street
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  Afternoon in the National Museum ending at St. Stephen’s Green ParkAugust 6, 2011
  In the afternoon of our first day we explore the southern bank of Liffey with pedestrian streets, the Parliament, the National Museum and ending the day at busy St Stephen’s Green Park
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  Dublin Castle in the morning….August 7, 2011
  In the morning of our second day the major goal is Dublin Castle which until 1922 was the seat of the British government’s administration in Ireland
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  …afternoon in Phoenix ParkAugust 7, 2011
  We spend the afternoon of our second day in Phoenix Park which is one of the largest enclosed public parks in Europe and famous for the large herd of fallow deer
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  Bray Cliff Walk home of the first geocache in EuropeAugust 8, 2011
  After renting the car our first stop is at Bray Cliff Walk to find the first geocache in Europe and enjoy the famous Irish landscape
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  Wicklow Mountains National Park explorationAugust 8, 2011
  We have limited time so we can explore only one trail out of the many from Glendalough from Wicklow Mountains National Park
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  The megalithic tombs of Bru na BoinneAugust 8, 2011
  An important stop for us is at Brú na Bóinne dominated by three large passage tombs from which we were able to visit Dowth only
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  Mellifont Abbey first Cistercian Monastery in IrelandAugust 8, 2011
  Mellifont Abbey was the first Cistercian monastery in Ireland and while only ruins remain now they are worth visiting.
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  Exploring BallymoneyAugust 9, 2011
  We spend the morning exploring Ballymoney the city in Northern Ireland we spent the night in
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  Giant’s Causeway, a magnificent siteAugust 9, 2011
  The major stop today is at the Giant’s Causeway an area of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns and a famous natural area in UK
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  Overnight at Markree CastleAugust 9, 2011
  We sleep tonight in one of the largest privately-owned castles in Ireland Markree Castle which stands on a secluded 500-acre estate
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  Carrowmore Megalithic CemeteryAugust 10, 2011
  We start the day with Carrowmore, the largest cemetery of megalithic tombs in Ireland an impressive site to visit
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  The ruined Ballinafad CastleAugust 10, 2011
  We make a short stop on the way at Ballinafad Castle an suitably impressive ruined castle
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  Boyle town and abbeyAugust 10, 2011
  We end the day with a visit to Boyle and especially the ruined Cistercian Abbey which is in renovation during our visit
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  Inis Cealtra the Holy IslandAugust 11, 2011
  We start today with a visit to Inis Cealtra, the Holy Island, the site of a former monastic settlement long abandoned and worth visiting
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  The major attraction of Ireland, the Cliffs of MoherAugust 11, 2011
  The Cliffs of Moher are a major attraction with some exceptional views, the interesting O’Brien Tower and lots of tourists
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  Ending the day in Burren National ParkAugust 11, 2011
  We end the day exploring the Burren National Park area with castles, dolmens and beautiful hiking
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  Ballybeg the Priory of CowsAugust 12, 2011
  The day starts with a short visit to Ballybeg Priory another interesting ruin with many cows
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  Blarney Castle, the place to get the gift of gabAugust 12, 2011
  The major stop for today is Blarney Castle where lots of tourists try to dangerously and unsanitarily kiss a stone to get the gift of gab
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  Cahir Castle, last castle visited outside of DublinAugust 12, 2011
  The last castle we visit outside of Dublin is Cahir Castle an impressive castle built on a very defensible location
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  The feared Kilmainham GaolAugust 13, 2011
  Kilmainham Gaol was a place we wanted to visit as it is the central prison where many Irish independence fighters were imprisoned
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  Guinness StorehouseAugust 13, 2011
  We also have to pass by the Guinness Brewery where the famous Irish beer is brewed that we tasted a few times on our trip
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  Christ Church Cathedral and one last downtown visitAugust 13, 2011
  In the afternoon we explore Dublin one more time passing by Christ Church Cathedral and other attractions while the day winds down