The Emerald Isle *Extra Long with lots of pics

I love, love, love Ireland! I don't know why I ever waited so long to go there. If you ever get a chance to go to Europe, please visit Ireland. It's absolutely one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen. And everyone speaks English!!! And all the signs are in English (and Irish)!! It's great! We attempted in our six days in Ireland to follow the route in black on the Frommer's map below, basically driving clockwise around the southern half of the island and then cutting across the middle, heading east to return to Dublin. The route in red is suggested for week 2 if you're staying that long. It was a demanding trip, especially for Matt, who did all the driving. It was wonderfully rewarding, though and I wish we would have had a few extra days to take the trip at a little slower pace.



We took no less than 692 pictures on this trip but don't worry, I didn't post them all! However, there are a lot of pictures in this post so wait until you have time, grab a cup of coffee and a piece of blueberry cobbler and enjoy beautiful Ireland!

(click on any of the pictures to enlarge)



Walking along the Liffey River in Dublin. One moment, it's raining and the next...



...the sun comes out!



At Dublin Castle.



Dublin Castle.



St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin - the largest in Ireland.



Outside St. Patricks in the park where he is said to have baptized the first Irish converts to Christianity.





Where's Waldo, er, Brenda?


In Temple Bar, Dublin (kind of like an Irish version of Austin).



On the Dublin City Bus.



The Irish would consider this a very wide road. The not-so-wide roads were a little scary.



We actually had to stop for sheep crossing the road - just like in the movies!



A very old monastic settlement, built by St. Kevin.







Kilkenny Castle, once the home of the Butler family - they were British, not Irish, and don't you forget it!



Cork, Ireland


One of the many beautiful beaches in Ireland.





Inside the caves underneath Blarney Castle.



Climbing the tower to the Blarney Stone.



The view from the top.



My mom, who is *slightly* afraid of heights, waiting patiently to go back down.



To kiss the Blarney Stone, you have to hang upside down and backwards. We passed on hanging upside down to kiss a spot millions of others have put their lips on.





My precious.....




King John's castle a.k.a. Dungarvan Castle



Muckross House inside Kilkenny National Park.



Being goofy.



The waterfall we walked 3 miles to see (which is why we got to eat ice cream everyday).



The Ladies View, part of the Ring of Kerry - a beautiful, but scary drive.



My mom collecting sea shells.



Beehive huts dating back to the Bronze Age.





Another breathtaking view.





At this beach there was a little stream running down the cliff and out into the ocean. I didn't want to get my shoes muddy in the sand so Matt carried me across and down to the beach.



Then I realized I'd never been in the Atlantic Ocean before so I took my shoes off and got in. It was freezing! Even in August!



Please forgive my flip flop tanlines.



My mama and me.



Being adventurous.





Yeah, this view made my mom really nervous.



Our last dinner in Ireland: Fish and chips and milkshakes in Heineken glasses. Classy.



This little road to the ocean was across the street from where we stayed on the Dingle Peninsula - the western most point of Europe.



And this was the view from our hostel.

Thanks for sticking with me to the end. I hope it was worth it!