Best of Ireland - Days 1-3

Remember our trip to Ireland? Yeah, I had almost forgotten too. (Not.) I was on a roll getting Scotland and Shetland pictures up, but have been a little overwhelmed with the 600+ Ireland pictures to sort through. They all contribute to the story of Ireland in their own way. Tom and I discussed how we'll never be able to fully express to anyone how truely wonderful our trip was. Photos are a good help, but unless you were there and experienced what we experienced and took it in like we took it in, even pictures will "just be pictures" to most everyone. Of course, they're much more than just pictures to us. In fact, last weekend while we were in the middle of a tornado warning and hiding underneath the basement stairs, I requested that Tom run up (two flights) to grab my camera because the Ireland pictures were, at that point, only saved on our computer. What if our computer was demolished? I needed my memory card! Being the amazing husband he is, he ran like lightening to save the day and was back in no time with camera safe in hand. I really think he would do just about anything for me.

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Ok...back to Ireland.

We met up with our tour group in Dublin, loaded our suitcases and hit the road in our 13-passenger Land Rover. Our first stop was Bob's bar for hot out of the oven scones (with cream...to die for...) and tea and coffee. We had a quick get to know you session, introduced ourselves and loaded up again.

Next stop: Rock of Cashel, a 1420's tower house. Most of the damage happened during the  1740-1840's when it wasn't occupied and left to ruins.

Our first stunning view. And it would only get better! That's just an old castle over there...NBD.

Supposedly if you can fit your arms around St. Patrick's rock (which is not original), you will have good tooth luck. I wish Tom had hugged this before his two fillings, root canal, crown and crown redo (all on same tooth) last year! (I'm guessing he does as well. Not fun.)

Next stop: Blarney Castle near Cork. There were lots of uneven stairs to manuver on our way to the top.

Tom kissing the Blarney Stone, hoping to recieve the gift of eloquence.

I choose not to think about the actual act of kissing a stone that thousands, if not millions, of others have kissed. Life is short. Sometimes you gotta be crazy people.

Next stop: Gougane Barra Hotel. We grabbed a delicious dinner and I had my first Murphy's stout. Then we took up the option to attend a live Irish concert being held at our hotel. One of best parts of the trip overall.

Day 2 started wonderfully with a run-in with an adorable puppy. Right up my alley!

That is a two-lane road?

Some beautiful sights along Healys Pass.

Next stop: according to our guide, Kevin, it would be a short and easy 45-minute hike. He failed to tell us that it would be mostly up hill. And then it started raining....

We were soaked and the fog was so thick you couldn't really see anything more than a few feet in front of you. It was honestly hilarious.

But we all made it!

Next stop: sea kayaking with seals in Adrigole, which turned out to be incredible. I wasn't brave enough to take my camera (you know the one that I'd save first in a tornado...) but the water was calm and warm and the seals would pop their heads up and just stare at us. Definitely on my list of coolest things I've ever done. Plus, we looked quite charming in our wetsuits.

Before our trip out to sea...

Another great view along the Beara Peninsula.

Next stop: Coachmans Inn in Kenmare. Top priorty - hot shower and dry clothes!

I desperately needed my shoes to be dry for the next day. I may or may not have left it running for too long and overheated the blow dryer.

After a wet and chilly but exciting day, dinner and drinks in an Irish pub was just what the doctor ordered.

And Michael O'Brian was amazing. I was so close to buying his 12-song $20+ CD but I refrained.

Cheers!

Day 3: started with a hike through Killarney National Park. Our never-out-of-energy guide, Kevin, was eager to get us moving.

Stopping to take it in.

It was during this walk that the verse, No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him. 1 Corinthians 2:9 kept replaying in my head over and over. These were the most breathtaking views I have ever seen in my life and Heaven will be beyond this? Wow.

We came upon a farmer yelling commands to his sheep dog who was up the hill herding his sheep. It was a pretty incredible moment to look up and see a group of white sheep all moving in the same direction with a dog following closely behind. Definitely not something you see everyday, or ever in Minnesota.

I felt like I was in a movie.

Stopping for a quick kiss while crossing a stream. Totally normal to also have a photographer standing in the stream who is able to capture it.

Next Stop: Ring of Kerry. Stopped for a picture at Ladies View after lunch at Moll's Gap.

Next stop: Derrynane Beaches where I met Millie. I saw her out of the corner of my eye and just had to take her picture. Here she is showing me her pretty dress.

And here she is keeping her cookie away from two hungry Labs.

Is she not the cutest thing?!

Next stop: "romantic walk" (recommended by Kevin) along Derrynane Beaches. It was quite romantic except for the last 15 minutes that we were literally running back to the Land Rover trying not to be late. And then we were sweaty, which is not very romantic.

Next stop: Coomakista Pass

I snuck up and got this shot of these twin lambs. Lord help me. They are too sweet.

Coomakista Pass overlooks Loher Fort, a circular stone fort, or defended homestead, that was probably built in the early Christian period around the 9th century AD.

Circular stone forts call for dance.

And that sums up our Days 1-3! I still have to pinch myself - I can't believe we were there. God is good.