Ireland

Ireland

We had just over 2 weeks before we joined the real world of work so decided to take the opportunity to fly to Ireland. Within 24 hours we booked our flight with Ryanair to Cork, hired a car and secured accomodation for our 13 night stay. Due to the fact our flight left from Stansted at 6.30am, we travelled out by taxi - 40 GBP and well worth it at that hour of the morning. Arriving in Cork at 7.35am, obviously gave us the day to explore a little before checking in for our nights accomodation. The seaside town of Kinsale was our first little village and a great introduction to Ireland. We found a bakery that also serves coffee - little did we know that that was the beginning of a daily ritual - coffee and scone!! From here we then went out to Blarney Castle where Ian kissed the Blarney Stone. I kissed it 38 years ago and didn't notice any lifestyle change so gave it a miss this time around!! Our accomodation was right in central Cork so great to walk and familiarise ourselves with the city.
Day 2: Out to the west coast via Skibbereen, Bantry, Glenariff and back inland to Cork again.Just like in England, we enjoy weaving through the little villages and exploring the varied coastline.While at Skibbereen Ian viewed lots of cattle trailers on the road. He couldn't resist asking "Is there a sale on?" Sure enough the next hour was spent viewing the cattle market. The prices are similar to NZ in Euro.The problem is-- there are two NZ$ required to buy one Euro$.
Day 3: Up to Killarney and through the beautiful National Park before continuing on around the Kerry Pennisula. Our lunch stop was at Portmagee, a lovely little fishing village recommended to us as "a must" visit. Certainly worth the extra little drive. Sara had given us travel vouchers for 7 nights accomodation, at a variety of hotels and farmstays (all B & B's) - we just had to choose where! Soooooo, our first homestay at Castlemaine (beginning of Dingle Penn) with Mrs Murphy (what other name could be more appropriate?) was a delight. Many farmers have had to supplement their income by converting their farmhouses into homestays and there are literally hundreds to choose from, everywhere in Ireland. For our evening meal we just wandered 200mts down to the village, enjoyed a pub meal with the locals and watched gaelic football!!
Day 3: We carried on around the Dingle Penninsula, through Tralee and up to Limerick where we found a restaurant serving a Sunday roast! Hadn't had one of those since leaving NZ. We stayed at a farmstay in Shanagolden for the night. It was comfortable but it didn't meet Mrs Murphsy's standard!!
Day 4: Westward from here we caught a ferry from Tarbert to Killimer, which saved us many extra miles of driving. As we drove down to the wharfe and wondering if, how, when we could go we saw a man furiously waving us on to the ferry waiting there. No sooner had we parked, the gangplank went up and we were on our way. No time for 2nd thoughts!!!! Most of the day we spent driving up some of the coastline and also inland to arrive at Galway where we were staying for 3 nights at Jury's Inn.
Day 5:This was a low key day, exploring the city, walking beside the Corrib River and crossing the many bridges leading to the pleasant walkways and canals.On the northern side of Galway is where Ian spotted the Galway rowing club with the roller door up. Unfortunately there were no master rowers to talk to, only school gym training in action.
Day 6: Connemara is the N.W. Penninsula and renown for its diverse beauty. We weren't disappointed - we experienced a variety of lakes, barren mountains and blue ocean. Our refreshment stop was at Clifden for coffee and scone before travelling on to Kylemore Abbey and gardens, situated across a beautiful lake. It is home to the Irish Benedictine nuns and a girls' boarding school.We came inland back to Galway.
Day 7: On to Donegal via Sligo. These roads were fairly quiet as it was Easter Sunday, but the carparks in the many Catholic churches were overflowing! Donegal is a very quiet township but well worth a stop over. Our last "free" accomodation for 2 nights - this time at the very comfy, Mill Park Hotel.
Day 8: The coast once again provided more varied and stunning scenery. We stopped at Killybegs - the biggest fishing port in Ireland and then travelled on as far north as The Rosses - a vast expanse of rock strewn land - obvious why settlements are by the sea. On our way back Ian had to travel through Kilmacrenan as it was the name of Hughie Green's livestock company(a client / competitor in the Auckland / Waikato areas).
Many times during our travel we would chat to locals and find out their faoutie spots to visit - always turned out to be well worth the extra mile or two of driving.
Day 9: Early exit for Derry - a fasinating town with a 17century wall surrounding it.
We walked right around as it gave us a good overview of the city itself. As this city is immediately before the border of the Republic, we were interested in what procedure would take place when crossing over. However a big disappointment! Other than the odd sign announcing a money exchange post, you wouldn't know you were in another country! Antrim was always going to be a Clotworthy highlight. This is where their family name began!! We spent time wandering through the gardens of Antrim Castle. The building itself was totally destroyed by fire in 1922 but the carriage house and stables now house the Clotworthy Arts Centre. Local artists hold exhibitions of their work there and occasionaly international exhibitors too.It was quite an amazing experience for Ian to actually view and walk around a significant place where his ancestors originated from. A short drive north to Ballymena was our next accomodation for two nights.
Day 10: Out to the East coast and in and out of the various points of the penninsula. This day involved much walking which was great - always a challenge on how to include exercise when travelling!!We veered off the main road out to Torr head, climbed up the hill and caught our first view of Scotland, 12 miles away!! Further on was the Rope Bridge connecting the mainland to Carrick - a rede Island, an important commercial salmon fishing area.The Giants Causeway was a definite must to walk and view. The basalt rock formations are amazing and well worth exploring. A really great day.
Day 11: We stopped at Belast on our way south to Dublin. The titanic was built here and the City Hall had an exhibition on, showing its construction and also the diving expeditions carried out since, to lay plaques on it. Most enlightening.I also wanted to visit the west where 25 years of conflict took place - the Catholic Falls and Protestant Shankill area. There is little now to indicate their troubled past, apart from an array of Loyalist murals and street names familiar from news bulletins. Ian spotted the National Steeplechase Derby on at Fairyhouse. Being the keen horseman, it was an opportunity not to be missed. Unfortunately we were too late for the Irish Grand National, but he had time to place a bet on the following race and win $140NZ - at that point we left!! Well disciplined for Ian---going to the races only staying for one race!!
Day 12 & 13: This time was spent exploring the city including Trinity Hall. The Guiness Storehouse was a "must do" and just far more fasinating than we'd ever imagined. We squeezed in a trip to Dublinia as well - an exhibition on the Vikings coming to Dublin. Our day was completed with dinner on the south coast.
Day 14: Drove down to Cork where it all began! As we had time, we travelled on the secondary roads so we could enjoy our last day travelling through more little villages and enjoy the countryside!!!Our plane left at 6.30pm and we were back at Hugh's house by 9.45pm!!

Our Hampshire job has turned to custard, so we are now leaving for Great Yarmouth on 14th April. I will be teaching and hopefully Ian will be able to find something to give hime some job satisfaction. It is the best option, with cheap accomodation and guaranteed work for me.