Sadly, I’m back home.  Not quite ready for my adventure to end.  I spent the past three months in Ireland.  It was extraordinary.  Some of the best months of my life.  Initially, Ireland was not on my radar, not on my list of places to visit.  But (luckily) a few months ago that all changed.  Let me rewind a bit.

While in Paris last September I was shopping (more like drooling — over the cookware) at E. Dehillerin when this American fellow started chatting with me.  I was contemplating buying a terrine pan when he piped in. We got to talking and I found out that he was a former chef who had spent some time as an instructor at the Dublin Cookery School in Ireland.  Had always wanted to live abroad, and a three-month stint cooking sounded ideal.  Fast forward several months and there I was living in Dublin.

Dublin, a compact city with loads of great music (aka trad sessions), friendly people, and no shortage of good food to be had.  You’d be pleasantly surprised by Dublin’s restaurant scene, really.  Strolling the streets of Dublin and exploring its many charms are plenty fun.  Notwithstanding, to fully appreciate the many facets of this beautiful country, you’ll need to rent a car and hit the road (granted, you’ll be driving on the other side of the street and car).  So, that’s exactly what we did…

Headed south from Dublin towards Cork, then west along the coast to the Sheep’s Head Peninsula, proceeded north through the Ring of Kerry, Dingle, through Clare (and the Burren), into Galway, and finally Connemara.

That’s just the tip of the iceberg, but it was all that time allowed.  Until next time.

Ireland is a stunning country…I’ll let the photos do the talking.

Kilkenny
A cute, little medieval city, to include a castle on the banks of the River Nore, that is a 90-minute drive from Dublin.

Kinsale
About a 30-minute drive from Cork City lies Kinsale, which is situated along Ireland’s southern coast — worth a day or two to wander around and enjoy the restaurants, shops, and bars…

Baltimore
Heading west toward the Sheep’s Head Peninsula we made a stop in the port city of Baltimore for an Irish coffee and pint (of Guinness)…

Sheep’s Head Peninsula

A peaceful, unspoilt peninsula that has some of the most beautiful scenery in all of Ireland.  And, lots and lots of sheep..

The Ring of Kerry, Valentia Island, and The Skellig Ring…striking (and no doubt, quite green).

Valentia Island
Take the ferry to Reenard Point, Cahersiveen, to enjoy a fabulous seafood dinner (the crab claws in particular) at O’Neills (The Point) Seafood Bar.

Dingle Town
A lovely Irish seaside village with no shortage of pubs, trad sessions, shops, and restaurants…

Enjoying the sounds of Eoin Duignan, a renowned uilleann piper and low whistle player…

Driving the Dingle Peninsula (pop. 10,000 [humans] + 500,000 [sheep])

Connor Pass

A quick stop in Tralee for a stroll and some beechwood smoked goat’s cheese…

A dolphin in the Shannon River…

Galway
Described as arty and bohemian — lively people, lively music, lively pubs and cafes…

Cliffs of Moher

Aran Islands: Inishmor, Inishmaan, and Inisheer

I only made it to Inishmor, which is the largest and most heavily touristed of the three Aran Islands.  Visiting Inishmor is like stepping back in time, what with its web of stonewalls, ancient archaeological sites, and striated limestone landscape that was originally shaped beneath ancient seas.

It was so incredibly foggy that day, I could barely see past my nose…

A traditional Irish boat known as a currach…

Connemara

Continuing north to Connemara, which translates to ‘Inlets of the Sea’ in Irish.  A beautiful array of mountains, bays, coves, hidden beaches, bog lands, and valleys.

Kyelmore Abbey

Oysters, mussels, clams, and wine at a roadside stand…a must stop.

And lots of Connemara sheep…