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."

Killarney & Dingle Peninsula, Ireland (Day 8)

On the eighth day of our trip, our tour took us out to the Dingle Peninsula.  We stopped at a few stores along the way.  The first one was just outside of Killarney at the entrance to the Gap of Dunloe called Moriarty's.  I bought a couple of instruments for my niece and nephew while there and my sister found a few gifts as well.  The next stop was at a jewelry store called Brian de Staic.  The store specializes in engraving jewelry with words written in Ogham, an early medieval alphabet used to write the Irish language.  We had seen some ancient stones with Ogham letters etched into them on the way to the store on the side of the road.

Stones with Ogham letters

After looking at the jewelry store, we stopped in Dingle for a couple of hours to shop and eat lunch.  I found a gift in a wool shop and Lisa found a few more gifts, then we had a quick lunch before getting back on the bus to continue the scenic drive.

Scenery of the Dingle Peninsula

Scenery of the Dingle Peninsula

Scenery of the Dingle Peninsula

Mom and dad 

When we arrived back in Killarney, we were dropped off at Kenmare Place to go on a jaunting car (carriage) ride through Killarney National Park.  The park is one of the largest areas of natural woodland in Ireland and spans over 26,000 acres.

Our jaunt car driver telling us about the park

Killarney National Park 

Killarney National Park

Killarney National Park

We really enjoyed our hilarious driver, he was quite the character.  Every time we passed someone in the park, he'd greet them with a loud, "Aaaahhhhhh-lowww!"

Ross Castle in the distance, a 15th century tower house

My family with our jaunt driver

After the ride we explored the shops of High Street before having dinner at a place that served fish and chips.  When we were done with that, we headed back to our rooms at the nearby Killarney Towers Hotel.

High Street

Killarney Towers Hotel

Itinerary: "Set off this morning to follow what is perhaps Ireland’s most majestic coastal route – the stunning Dingle Peninsula. Stop at the Gap of Dunloe where you can shop for traditional Irish goods handcrafted by local artisans. Travel to the town of Dingle and then drive the beautiful Slea Head road, where some of the country’s most spectacular landscapes are found."

Blarney & Killarney, Ireland (Day 7)

On Friday morning (Ella's birthday), we packed up and loaded onto the tour bus out of Dublin.  We stopped on the side of the road for a few minutes at one point to take pictures of the Rock of Cashel,

Rock of Cashel

Outside of Blarney Castle

A few minutes later made a 20-minute scone and cappuccino stop, then we continued until we reached Blarney Castle, where we had a couple of hours to explored.  All five of us ended up making the twisting climb up to the top so Ella, Lisa and I could attempt to kiss the Blarney Stone.  I had NO IDEA that you had to lay down on your back and scoot into a sort of hole at the top of the castle and bend backwards to kiss this stone!  Yikes!  Ella ended up being too little for it so she blew a kiss.

Outside of Blarney Castle

Blarney Castle

Ella on her way to kiss the stone

Me kissing the stone

The line to kiss the stone

My parents at the top of Blarney Castle

After kissing the stone, we all made the trek back down and took a few minutes to check out the Poison Garden before going back to where we were dropped off to grab lunch, do a quick gift shop look and get back on the bus.

Mom, dad and me in front of Blarney Castle

Marijuana in the Poison Garden at Blarney

That evening we arrived in Killarney.  I wandered around the town a little bit and bought a couple of little birthday gifts for Ella before heading back to meet everyone for dinner.

Ella's little birthday celebration during dinner

Itinerary: "Begin your day with a brief stop in the town of Cashel for views of the historic Rock of Cashel, the reputed location where St. Patrick preached and converted the King of Munster. Next, journey to historic Blarney Castle where you have the opportunity to kiss the famous Blarney Stone. Legend has it that those who kiss the stone are bestowed with the gift of eloquence. You will also have time to shop at the famous Blarney Woollen Mills, the world’s largest Irish gift store. End your day in charming Killarney."