The REAL Ireland!!

I admit, we were pretty dissapointed in Dublin the first day, and I was afraid that Ireland was not what I had dreamed it was.... oh but it is!! We went on a tour to the Cliffs of Moher, which is on the farthest coast of Western Ireland and although it was quite the journey, it was so worth it. All my expectiations of Ireland were fullfilled and more.

We woke up early, it turned out to be 5:30 instead of 6:30 becasue I had forgotten to set my IPOD an hour ahead from Paris time....oops. We ate our breakfast, then boarded our bus at 7:40am, a tacky green PADDYWAGON.....I hate how obvious they need to make it. Our first stop was at a little gasstation and there I got the most amzing treat....Coca Cola bubblegum!! Wow, how I wish we had that back home. Our next stop was at Bunratty castle, and although we didnt have time to go right up to it and explore it, even from a distance it was beautiful. From there we drove a few hours until finally reaching the Cliffs of Moher. Wow......that is all I can really say, you truly felt like you were standing on the edge of the world. The shear cliffs rose hundreds of feet up from the turquiose waters crashing up against the coast. The wind was so crisp and I felt like I was looking into a postcard. The water was so furious below with slow rolling waves and the seagulls were heard from all around. Behind you, there were beautiful flurescent green pastures dotted with cattle and little wooden fences. I wish I could of spent an entire day perched on the cliffs but the two hours went by quick and it was back onto the Paddywagon.
Our guide was a funny local man, who said it how it was, and gave us lots of interesting information, and our bus was small enough that we were able to take the narrow seaside road to our next destination, the small village of Doolin. It was like driving through a movie it was so perfect, not in a touristic way, but just a natural perfection. There were green pastures as far as you could see with lambs and cattle, and little beach houses with actual thatched roofs! The little narrow street through town was lined with little shops offering the days baking goods, or crafts and children were running about laughing and playing. we stopped at a place called Fitzgeralds, a carvery style restaurant. Bre and I both had braised ribs with of course...mashed potatoes, pea and carrots. It was very good, just what we needed after a long day.

Our next stop was to an area called the Burren. It was an area where the ground and cliffs were all limestone rock. It was the neatest thing to see. The rock had holes and crevices from water seeping through, and we had time to get out and explore. We got some great pictures and then proceeded to venture back across the road to the ocean side where the limestone rocks had formed cliffs. We walked careully right to the edge and took some great pictures of us sitting right on the edge.....i will admit, it made me a little nervous to look and see a few hundred foot drop to the rocky coastline and the crashing waves right below you, along with the gusting winds.

Our next stop was to an old little church and cemetary. The roof was completly gone, and the brick walls were barely standing. There were graves everywhere from years and years ago...it was quite eerie with the graves, the wind howling through the roofless church, and the gloomy skies. It was amazing to be able to visit something so old, and to read about the lives and families on the tombstones. After about 30 minutes we were back onto the bus en route to home. What a long bus ride, but most definitly worth it. The day just made me realize completly that Ireland truly is beautiful in every way I had imagined.

Today, Friday, we woke up semi-rested and ready for more adventure...out of Dublin. We didnt have anything booked and no real ideas where we wanted to go, but we ended up taking a random train to the most beautiful seaside village, called Howth. There were many fishing boats, and little shops where you could buy fresh seafood from the day's catch, and the air smelled of ocean and seafood! We ventured along the seawall and spotted some beaches in the distance and decided to try to find them...after climbing through barb wired fences, crossing though rail way tracks and down some roads we finally came across a little entrance leading to the beach. The sand was white, and there were big waves crashing against the shoreline. We played in the sand for awhile taking in this beautiful little corner of the world, not wanting to leave the secluded haven, but we had to as our last train was approaching soon and we still needed lunch. We walked back to the main little village and got some lasagna and fish and chips to go, and ate on a patch of grass overlooking the harbour.

We are leaving tomorrow, and I must say that we are sad to leave as Ireland has turned to be an amazing place to visit. Not just because of the amazing scenery, but because of the people and the way of life here. People are so kind here, and they really value keeping communities together and helping out one another. I have enjoyed my visit here so much and do hope to return one day to see the beautiful green pastures and to enjoy a conversation with a local.