CC Travels

Without further ado, PART TWO!

Want to cover the same places I did? I have linked my Google Maps driving route HERE. It is also fully possible to make this exact route by using strictly public transportation. I use Rome2Rio to find bus/train options and have linked an example. With that being said, I would probably not suggest the exact route by public transportation if you’re sticking to a low budget, just because a lot of the places are somewhat out of the way and can get spendy relying on just buses or trains to get you in the rural areas.

After spending 3 days in Dublin, I left the city understanding that while I was happy (and humbled) to even claim that as a destination I’ve visited, Ireland has so much more to see! If the pub scene is a priority and you’re more comfortable in general in higher populated areas, by all means, stay in Dublin! If you’re like me and start searching for a brown paper bag to hyperventilate into after socializing for days on end, keep reading to see where I was able to finally stretch my legs. And see the one cat in all of Ireland.

Day 3: Galway

The drive west was a straight shot, we stopped at the restaurant inside Tyrrellspass Castle (it was actually inside of a real castle) for breakfast and made it across the country in a little over 2hrs. I booked our stay in Salthill/Galway at Ocean Crest B&B and this place was incredible. I wish I would’ve taken pictures inside! With a large dining area to overlook Galway Bay and AMAZING staff, I truly wish we would’ve had more time in this town than just the single night we spent. Take a walk around Galway to see the Spanish Arch, the colors of Quay Street, and enjoy the salty air and hospitality!

Day 4: Kilmacduagh Monastery, Corcomroe Abbey, Cliffs of Moher

We had an early start the next morning to make it to the Cliffs of Moher, which was my biggest must-see of the entire trip, but we were able to drive by Quay Street and the pier on our way out of town.

Kilmacduagh Monastery is in the town of Gort, about 40min south of Galway, and an easy stop to walk around. While it was founded in the 7th Century and a location of many military battles throughout history, it is still very well preserved.

The terrain of Ireland changed like night and day. We went from rolling green hills to The Burren (endless bedrock and limestone landscapes) that resembled what I imagine Earth would look like without any people, and then to rocky seaside cliffs.

Another 30min drive south of Gort is Corcomroe Abbey. It sits off the beaten path in the Burren region of County Clare, a few miles east of the village of Ballyvaughan. Now it might just be me, but I enjoyed every monastery we visited in Ireland. The rich history and tombstones with a story to tell never get old to me…get it…old. Because they’re tombst–ANYWAYS.

Once we left Corcomroe, I noticed a sign for the scenic drive to Cliffs of Moher vs the route our GPS had mapped out and I am SO HAPPY we chose the scenic route. Rather than continuing on the N67, in Ballyvaughan you’ll head directly west on the R477 towards Doolin and the Cliffs.

And so we made our way down the infamous Wild Atlantic Way on a narrow road that carried us next to the edge of the Atlantic Ocean and all the way to the Cliffs (another 45min southwest). For my Game of Thrones fans, although none of the seasons have been filmed in this area, it’s exactly the kind of scenery that had me looking for Daenerys and Jon Snow. When they say “wild”, no one is exaggerating. The coastline was beautiful and rugged and inspiring all at once, even with the heavy rain and winds.

We made it to the Cliffs parking area and paid our admissions fee (6EUR or about $8 USD each for adults) just in time to walk through the mini hurricane of rain. The Cliffs for me…there is just not a word big enough for the feeling they gave me. For some, it’s that spiritual moment where you feel God or whomever it is you put your faith in. Or hearing a powerful piece on the violin or piano. Or falling in love for the first time or falling in love for the last time when it’s finally real. Those goosebumps? That thrill and warmth? The Cliffs of Moher gave me that. I stood at the top of the first section and I could hardly keep my eyes open due to the extreme winds and rain, so I just kept pressing the shutter button on my phone–hoping I could get SOMETHING that captured what was in front of me. I made my way up to the next point of the Cliffs which was extremely muddy and dangerous. I would NOT recommend bringing small children or anyone that does not have a solid sense of awareness for their surroundings. We had to climb over the fenced walking path just to make it to the top because of deep puddles. Bring rain boots for this destination! Any time of the year, just bring them. Ireland weather is not predictable and I’m still a little upset we had so much fog, but if the Cliffs were that amazing on a foggy day in January, I’m not sure my little heart would’ve been able to handle it on a clear one.

A funny piece of advice I got from a local: “If the weather report says rain, it won’t rain but for a few minutes. But if it says mist, it’s pouring and you don’t stand a chance”.

We continued on southeast to the village of Killaloe to stay the night at another one of my favorite B&B’s, Blossom Hill Bed and Breakfast. The hospitality was phenomenal as was breakfast, and they had the cutest dog, Rolo (just like the candy). The owners were very interactive and more than prepared with the history of the area and even offered to drive us into town if we didn’t want to take our rental.

Day 5: Rock of Cashel, Kilkenny

A lazy start to the day finishing breakfast in Killaloe, we continued east on our trek back to Dublin and stopped at the Rock of Cashel. We were not able to go inside due to high winds, but the walk around the grounds gave us a small taste. I would still recommend this as a stop, I hope you’ll have better weather than we did!

Further east, Kilkenny and Kilkenny Castle which had been constructed into a very popular tourist stop. I think by this point in the trip, I had been spoiled by so many ruins and castles still in their “natural habitat”, Kilkenny Castle was not as impressive as it may have been earlier in the trip. Beautiful groundwork and rose gardens, though! Kilkenny itself was a great place and we stopped for a tour of Smithwicks Brewery. Put that on your list!

Day 6: Back to Dublin

We left Kilkenny and made our last stop in Dublin for the night at Premier Inn Dublin that provided an airport shuttle the next morning. I stayed in and enjoyed a delicious ribeye steak in the hotel restaurant and like a typical American who loves red meat, that was still one of the best ribeye’s I’ve ever eaten.

The next morning, I hopped on the shuttle (3EURO) at 6am, had my last cup of hot tea and croissants with jam, and dove headfirst into customs at Dublin Airport. If you’re returning to America after Ireland, please begin the checking in process at a bare minimum of 2hrs before your flight. It took me about 1hr15min to finish with customs, giving me 45min to spare before boarding.

What would I have done differently?

Next time I visit Ireland because there will always be a next time, I would skip Dublin all together and fly into Shannon Airport near Galway. Ideally staying in one of the many B&B’s along the Wild Atlantic Way and set aside a few days to return to the Cliffs of Moher for multiple viewings of sunrise and sunset, because they’re just THAT beautiful.

I’d like to see the Skellig Islands (filming location for Star Wars Episode 8) which is as far south-west as you can go, and then I’d make my way back north and over east to Giant’s Causeway and Belfast. Plus, I’d visit every filming location for Game of Thrones in the entire country (primarily all in the North). What kind of a fan would I be if I didn’t go to Winterfell?

I hope this has inspired you to take your next trip and please let me know if you use my blog as a resource for planning it!