I have inherited the excellent ability from my father to be able to sleep anywhere anytime, even on an one and a half hour flight. We rented a car from Sixt for $125, we opted to pay $165 for additional insurance rather than putting a $1400 hold on our Credit Card. After renting a car back in Texas during Thanksgiving and a rock cracking the windshield we have realized the extra fee is worth the peace of mind. Remember before you haul tail out of the rental area that you drive on the left side of the road, in a right side drive car with gear shifter in your left hand so be prepared! I have vivid memories from when I was returning from my deployment to Iraq of landing in Ireland to refuel it was the greenest grass I have ever seen, a color of green i havent seen again since. Even in winter the grass is green although not the lush color I remember but for temps below 40's its still very green.
We saw this place everyday and cracked up every time we saw it. We stayed at Hotel Royal just South of Dublin in the area of Bray for $75 per night. I chose to stay in Dublin because the country is so small you can drive from the East to West coast in 2 hours, If I would have planned earlier I probably could have found a nice B&B for just a lil more, we have good luck with Airbnb.com.
Every morning before we headed out we ate grabbed a bite to eat from this McDonalds, yes this is a McDonalds. It was voted top 5 coolest McD's in the World, it was built in 1882 as the Bray town hall and used until 1940 as a market house.
Giant scales still hang in the center, not your normal McDonalds.
The first day we drove to the West coast to visit Bunratty Castle and Folk park on our way to the Cliffs of Moher.
The castle was built in 1425,
The castle was purchased and restored in 1956 to its current glory, It was restored with original items from the 14th to 18th century, so everything in the castle is what it could have looked like through out the years! You can see the entire collection here.
There are many HUGE fireplaces throughout the castle.
the dungeon was very small and only had a very small spiral staircase leading to it.
Jonah going down to the dungeon
Chair in the main dining hall
Not bad for 1425, "butt" your bum might get a little cold in the winter
Carved poster bed from the 16th century
Original 17th century armor next to the bed, i guess the fireplace would keep it warm for the morning.
controls to open the draw bridge, pretty cool.
Main dining hall
Another main room, this one has a fire pit in the middle of the room
16th century poster bed
16th century hand carved chandelier it has candles on the antlers
Above and below are 2 gothic 17th century clocks
The Earls kitchen, there are HUGE turtle shell "bowls" hung on the wall from the 18th century
View from top of the castle
The top of the castle with the Irish flag in background
House named willow weavers of bunratty
Folk park had a bunch of cool buildings that were set up to represent the village during the 15th century.
Small house with a loft bedroom above a bedroom. It was definitely worth the price 30 euro for family ticket, for 2 adults and up to 6 kids.
The road to get to the Cliffs of Moher is very narrow, it will fit 2 cars but with the rock fences make it for a VERY tight squeeze.
The sandstone is so plentiful that the locals use it rather than barbwire or fencing
You can see all the sandstone fencing can you imagine how much it must all weigh
The Cliffs of Moher are amazing, they are 5 miles long and stand over 700 feet at its highest point. There is a really nice info center with a couple of places to eat inside, an exhibit, and a nice souvenir shop. To park you pay 6 Euro per adult. The cliffs you can see in this photo, across the way, you can crawl and look over the edge if you are brave enough.
Jonahs face looks hilarious, the camera angle stretched his head out!!
Kim waving to Aunt Jeannie from one side of the Atlantic Ocean to the other.
You can not see it in this pic but there are people standing on the edge looking down the rock face!
We had a great time here and also found a Geocache which puts us at 13 countries.
We stopped off on our way back to Dublin and ate at a pizza spot, it was ok nothing to brag about.
The next morning we drove to Blarney Castle, so I could kiss the Blarney Stone.
The grounds are beautiful and green, remember we are here in the middle of winter.
The castle itself was completed in 1446.
This would have been the Great hall of the castle.
The stairwells are small and steep, we are almost at the top.
Looking down into the great hall.
The view from the top was amazing, the grounds are so beautiful.
People have been coming to Blarney castle for over 200 years to kiss the Blarney stone. It doesnt seem that far down but if that guy lets go of me i would have fallen onto the grate that keeps people from falling to their death.
I am laughing because i didnt realize how far down it was. Well I have now been given the gift of Eloquence.
The garden area had a geocache hidden in it, quick selfie before we head to the garden.
This tree was unique, the limb is growing from one trunk into another. It looks like a natural harp to me.
This is where the goecache was hidden, the rock is supposed to look like a witch with a big nose
Another tree that i really loved, it is on top of a rock cave, that is why the roots are showing because there is not much soil.
A couple of the waterfalls, I bet they would look awesome during spring with the flowers in bloom.
On our way back to dublin we stopped in the town of cork and ate at Market Lane. We have realized that spending a little more money on one dinner we end up with an excellent meal.
Our last day we checked out Dublin, first stop the Guinness factory. I will have to admit I think I have only tried it once from a bottle and didnt care for it, but trip advisor says its a great attraction. It is 18 euro per person or a family ticket is 42 euro. It includes a pint of Guinness for each person over 18 and a free soda for children.
On Dec 31 1759, Arthur Guinness, signed a 9000 year lease with and annual rent of 45 Pounds. They have the original lease encased in a glass safe in the middle of the factory floor.
There are 7 floors on the self guided tour, telling the story of Guinness throughout the years.
It was rather interesting, more so than I thought it would be. There is a tasting room, where you can smell the different ingredients and taste the final product. There is also a pouring room where you learn to pour a perfect pint.
The Gravity bar on the 7th floor is a solid glass bar overlooking all of Dublin, we grabbed our free pint and sat and looked at the city.
Best views of the city, and I rather liked the Guinness. It might taste better when it comes from the factory.
We stopped on Grafton Street for a little bit to get some souvenirs, there is really good shopping there.
Jonah liked the Disney store.
Our last stop before heading back to the airport was the Irish Sea, Cold but pretty. Jonah and I walked down so we could touch the water.
With tide being out Jonah and I went looking for a heart rock for mama.
We found a pretty good one. We had a great time in Ireland for such a short trip there are a few things we would like to come back and see. Dublin Castle, St Stephens green, and St Patricks church. Maybe we can come back during the spring or summer before we leave Europe.
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