Showing posts with label County Clare. Show all posts
Showing posts with label County Clare. Show all posts

Monday, March 16, 2015

County Clare, Tullamore & Dublin, Ireland (Day 10)

The next morning we packed up and got back on the bus to head to the Tullamore Dew Heritage Centre.  At the Centre we took a tour with a guide who taught us how Irish whiskey is made and ended with a tasting of three different whiskeys.

The tasting table all set up
My tasting glasses
Mom and dad during the tasting -- he wasn't a fan
After the tasting we continued on to Dublin and checked in for our last night in Ireland.

Our hotel the last night

That evening we headed down the street to the basement of a pub where we listened to The Irish House Party.  We had a great time and really enjoyed their music.

The Irish House Party
Our tour guide, Kim
Early the next morning we got up and headed to the airport to make our way back to the states.
Itinerary: "Enjoy a relaxing morning at the castle before you return to Dublin. Along the way, visit the Tullamore Dew Heritage Centre where you will learn how Irish whiskey is made and enjoy a tasting. Tonight, come to know Ireland’s true secret – its people. Meet a few of the boisterous locals over a pint when you enjoy a drink and entertainment at a local pub and see why the Irish are known for their generous and hospitable nature."

Sunday, March 15, 2015

Killarney, Cliffs of Moher, County Clare, Ireland (Day 9)

The next morning we packed up and got back on the bus.  After a bit of driving and a short ferry ride, we arrived at the very windy Cliffs of Moher.  We had a little over an hour to explore the cliffs and grab lunch.  We were amazed at how many people would get way too close to the edge of the cliff to take pictures.. bad idea!  Especially with how windy it was.
View from the Ferry
The Cliffs of Moher

O'Brien's tower
Cliffs of Moher
After the Cliffs, we continued on our way but stopped for a quick look at The Burren, Ireland's smallest national park; the area we had a few minutes to explore was covered in limestone pavement.
The Burren, Poulnabrone portal tomb in the distance
Then we went on to our home for the night, Dromoland Castle.  It was so sweet, when we went to our (huge) room there was a little Dromoland Castle bear for Ella.  We explored the grounds in our free time before dinner and found a garden and lake nearby.

Our room (Lisa Ella and me)
Gate to the garden
Exploring the gardens at Dromoland Castle

Dromoland Castle
Swan by the lake
That night we took group pictures at the entrance to the castle and just inside and then had a formal dinner.  Unfortunately our family ended up getting split up because there weren't enough seats for us available at one table.

Family photo outside of Dromoland Castle
Itinerary: "Depart Killarney and travel across the countryside of Kerry to the River Shannon. A short ferry ride will bring you across the river to the Clare coast. Journey to the stunning 700-foot-high Cliffs of Moher for awe-inspiring views of the mighty Atlantic and the Aran Islands. Then, travel through the vast limestone landscape of the Burren, known for its stark beauty and Neolithic tombs. Continue past scenic countryside to the fairytale setting of Dromoland Castle. Overnight in this castle and toast your magnificent trip during a fabulous formal dinner."