The photos are breathtaking, Sue! Your narrative is fascinating and rekindles memories of a trip to Scotland my husband and I took many years ago. We found magical places to hike and explore, and also found a great sense of peace and connection to the natural world surrounding us. Your experience sounds fantastic!
I went on this magical tour last September and it was utterly lovely. Thank you for bringing the memories back so vividly - Zillah, the seaweeds, the tree, the water, the Burren, the Stones, the years of repression and the vitality. Glad you enjoyed it.
Goodness, thank you. My heart yearns for the land of Ireland. My first journey there was in 2014. I rented a car in Dublin and drove through Wicklow Mountains Nat'l Park, west to Killaloe, birthplace of Brian of. Boru last high king of Ireland. Ireland was celebrating the 1,000 year anniv. of his death. From there I visited the Burren, mesmerized by the plant life, ruins and history. I stayed in Ballyvaughn and Galway, enjoying hikes, the people and history. I visited Brigit's Garden and again delved into my love of the knowledge of the Celtic wheel of the year and the seasons. I stayed in Westport and enjoyed a full day exploring Achill Island and it's history, people and bought home two pieces of pottery from Achill Island Pottery. The Kylemore Abbey with walled victorian gardens and the chapel built by a grieving husband using four colors of marble from each province in Ireland.....
I cried literally driving through rainbows in the Connemara where the sheep ruled the roadways and stopped at the Connemara Sheep and Wool Centre on base of Killary Fjord. So many moving experiences and memories.
My second trip was in 2016 for my daughter's graduation in Dublin. I visited many historical sites and did a literary pub crawl and several bookshops. Ireland defeated Italy in a futbol match and the ole, ole, chants and revelry lasted through the night. It was the 100 year anniv. of the Rising in 1916. Such a ancient and modern country that honors all phases of it's life. Witnessed the sites of the Rising, Dublin Castle, the GPO, O'Connell bridge, Queen of Tarts bakeries, Trinity library including the preserved Book of Kells and the writings of Samuel Becket which were on display in the long room of the Trinity Library, and the harp of Brian of Boru. Just thinking about this land and the passions and writings and known history gives my heart pause.
The beauty, spirit, joy and heart of the Irish land and people lives in me still.
May be time to visit again one day. I have other locations on my bucket list but the siren song of Ireland sings for me always.
thank you of reminding me of the people and place of my ancestors and the living history and spirit of it's people. I miss it here in my central USA community.
Thank you for this gorgeous article. I have ancestors on both sides of my family from Ireland, County Cork to be more precise. A visit there is close to the top of my travel bucket list for sure. 🍀
The photos are breathtaking, Sue! Your narrative is fascinating and rekindles memories of a trip to Scotland my husband and I took many years ago. We found magical places to hike and explore, and also found a great sense of peace and connection to the natural world surrounding us. Your experience sounds fantastic!
Oh this tour sounds perfect. I am going to look into it! Thank you for sharing about your experience.
This sounds like a fabulous way to not only visit, but to absorb the DNA of the Emerald Isle. I'm glad you had a wonderful experience, Sue!
Ireland is on my bucket list, Sue. That trip has moved higher on my list now. Thank you for this beautiful story.
I went on this magical tour last September and it was utterly lovely. Thank you for bringing the memories back so vividly - Zillah, the seaweeds, the tree, the water, the Burren, the Stones, the years of repression and the vitality. Glad you enjoyed it.
I am so glad you had a wonderful trip, Sue! Thank you for sharing about the land, the people, and the magic.
It totally sounds like a wonderful trip.
I've had two trips to Ireland, the first around a week-long writing retreat in 2015 in western Ireland, with my hubbie along for the 3 week trip.
The second was a month at a HomeExchange place near Sligo, on my own, originally planned
for both of us, but we had an old dog then, and my husband took him directly to Quebec that year.
It was a wonderful time, too, as I had our HE partner's old car to use, and explored all sorts of places near there. Amazing.
I especially loved the Slieve League Cliffs north of Sligo where the Appachians emerge. And so many other things.
I could easily envision a month there! Thank you for sharing your own experiences.
Goodness, thank you. My heart yearns for the land of Ireland. My first journey there was in 2014. I rented a car in Dublin and drove through Wicklow Mountains Nat'l Park, west to Killaloe, birthplace of Brian of. Boru last high king of Ireland. Ireland was celebrating the 1,000 year anniv. of his death. From there I visited the Burren, mesmerized by the plant life, ruins and history. I stayed in Ballyvaughn and Galway, enjoying hikes, the people and history. I visited Brigit's Garden and again delved into my love of the knowledge of the Celtic wheel of the year and the seasons. I stayed in Westport and enjoyed a full day exploring Achill Island and it's history, people and bought home two pieces of pottery from Achill Island Pottery. The Kylemore Abbey with walled victorian gardens and the chapel built by a grieving husband using four colors of marble from each province in Ireland.....
I cried literally driving through rainbows in the Connemara where the sheep ruled the roadways and stopped at the Connemara Sheep and Wool Centre on base of Killary Fjord. So many moving experiences and memories.
My second trip was in 2016 for my daughter's graduation in Dublin. I visited many historical sites and did a literary pub crawl and several bookshops. Ireland defeated Italy in a futbol match and the ole, ole, chants and revelry lasted through the night. It was the 100 year anniv. of the Rising in 1916. Such a ancient and modern country that honors all phases of it's life. Witnessed the sites of the Rising, Dublin Castle, the GPO, O'Connell bridge, Queen of Tarts bakeries, Trinity library including the preserved Book of Kells and the writings of Samuel Becket which were on display in the long room of the Trinity Library, and the harp of Brian of Boru. Just thinking about this land and the passions and writings and known history gives my heart pause.
The beauty, spirit, joy and heart of the Irish land and people lives in me still.
May be time to visit again one day. I have other locations on my bucket list but the siren song of Ireland sings for me always.
thank you of reminding me of the people and place of my ancestors and the living history and spirit of it's people. I miss it here in my central USA community.
Thank you.
If I return, I would love an itinerary like your 2016 trip. Thank you for sharing your memories.
flying into Shannon and doing Wild Atlantic Way up to Donegal, land of ancestors, and N Ireland and down to Ring of Kerry would be my hopeful plan.
Thank you for this gorgeous article. I have ancestors on both sides of my family from Ireland, County Cork to be more precise. A visit there is close to the top of my travel bucket list for sure. 🍀