Ireland

We left from Wales on our whistle stop tour of Ireland.

Impressions: The countryside is beautiful.  Some of it like the Highlands of Scotland, some like England and others part very New Zealandish.  The South West counties have colourful fuchsia hedges everywhere.  County Claire and further north lots of stone walls.  Some accents, particularly in Gaelic speaking areas totally unintelligible to our NZ ear, other areas have that lovely lilting Irish brogue.  The people are warm and friendly.  And the weather? – well as the Irish say ‘three seasons in one day’.  However, we were pretty lucky there as we really only had significant rain on the morning of our first day.  I wish we’d had more time there to explore and get a real feel for the country.  We drove clockwise from Rosslare.

Waterford: What did we do there? ‘The House of Waterford Crystal Tour’ of course.  A close up view of the manufacturing process and facilities.  Very interesting.  I was surprised at the range of sporting events that have crystal trophies such as the ‘Superbowl’.

Cork and Blarney Castle.  The castle itself is a bit disappointing – just a ruin.  Of course we all kissed the ‘Blarney Stone’ so now have ‘the gift of the gab’.  Just as well I’m not toooo germaphobic!  Interesting poisonous garden.  Even saw mandrake growing for all you Harry Potter fans.

‘Ring of Kerry’- Very picturesque. Lots of photos in between the showers.

Dingle Peninsula – Very much a Gaelic speaking area. Again very picturesque and Ireland turned on brilliant sunshine.  Yummy seafood chowder at Daingean (Dingle).  Ryan’s daughter was filmed on the Peninsula for all you film buffs.  Big surfing area.  Brrr too cold for us.  Golden beaches.  The ‘wild colonial boy’ was also born near here.

‘Cliffs of Molher’ – Limestone cliffs that rise 214 metres above the sea.  Very windy and it was a calm day! Again brilliant weather.  We could see the Aran Islands.

Northern Island:

‘Giant’s Causeway’- spectacular formation of regular, closely packed hexagonal stone columns.  Such a beautiful day that we walked along the cliff first before working our way down to the rocks.  The hand work of Finn MacCool the giant so the Irish say. 

Carrick-A-Rope Bridge – connecting the mainland to the island over a 30m chasm.  Once again the 1.25km walk along the cliff was glorious.  Beautiful ocean and beaches below.  So clear we could see the Scottish coastline in the form of the Mull of Kintyre.

Dark hedges at Ballymoney – check out the photos.

Glens of Antrim – scenic route around the coast to Belfast.

Belfast – Titanic Belfast.  Brand new exhibition housed in a futuristic looking building over six floors.  Covered the story of the Titanic from her conception in Belfast, through her construction and launch, to her famous maiden voyage.  Especially the 3D trip through the levels of the ship.  A stunning museum.  Back to the UK by ferry from Belfast to Cairn Ryan in Scotland.