We went to Ireland: 2018

So after a long delay to visit the Emerald Isle, we finally boarded a plane out of Boston, and flew into Dublin.  The basic logistics were to hit a vintage radio museum in Houth -just northeast of Dublin, then head to our hotel in Kilkenny.  It worked, but not without fighting our way out of a monumental traffic jam exiting the city.  Narrow roads make for easy accidents, and that bolloxes the end-of-day commute.  With the invaluable GPS unit, we circumnavigated the jam, and resumed our trip.  The Aspect Hotel was fine, accommodations totally up to date.   One more bonus on this:  the cars drive on the left side of the road, and we had a (very decent four-door) manual Renault.  Despite the odd feel of a stick-shift on the left, we did pretty well.  My wife only had to remind me once or twice about driving on the left! 

Now some comments about travel to the UK:  bring a power converter for any US style electronics.  I had an Apple white cube adaptor, which did work, but it is old fashioned; the current UK standard is a beefy three-prong plug, not the cute round two-prong variety.  We found the B&Bs had older bathroom mirrors with the two-prong outlets available, which saved the converter for other items, such as my super-wide-band radio! I was working shortwave and AM broadcast stations in the quiet evening hours.  Critical to any trip, we also could recharge the camera batteries while in the camera.  My electric razor did not require a recharge, which validated my brave decision to leave it at home. But an absolute must-have:  Rick Steve's Guide to Ireland (or any other country).  He is witty, includes relevant historical comments including sourcing idioms we have all heard, and truly useful warnings on what to avoid.  If you are going to have a "once in a lifetime trip," there are no do-overs.  We both brought warm jacket-style gear, and Eddie Bauer Mountain Shell Jackets with Weatheredge technology.  Ireland is wet and cold.  Think 45 degrees, rainy, and windy. Lots of wind.  If you hike, gear is everything, and Ireland has great hiking opportunities.  I packed LL Bean hiking boots as they were also waterproof.  

B&B:  Bed and Breakfast sites are growing in popularity and availability with the advent of apps designed to that end, so if your heading to Ireland, consider B&BIreland.com, as it was amazingly convenient.  We booked early and very late at different sites, there were no awkward conversations about payment or number of nights, all that was addressed through the website. I bought a Groupon's package which allowed two hotel nights, and six B&B nights, the rented car, plus airfare to and from Ireland.  Everything I have just typed is a first-time experience for me, so that it all worked as billed was a huge stress reliever! 

Pics!  We have Pics, including a 13th century church in Limerick.  The structures with that much history deserve a second look.  One church in Galway dates even earlier, and is purported to have been used by Christopher Columbus!   I will post this, and return to post pics once I figure out how!  

First stop: Hurdy Gurdy Vintage Radio Museum, Houth. In Viking fort, earliest sports race narrated by radio.  Marconi himself broadcast from this site, as it is right on the ocean.

Yours truly catching some serious ocean winds, while Fiona locks up.

13th Century Church with safety tower plainly visible.

Just gorgeous views over the ocean, we enjoyed Dublin so much.

 This "new" church was built in 1863, Galway.

 Near the Burren rolling hills.

 Having her "Highlander"moment touching the stone to drift back in time.

 Proof that we were between Boston and Waterville!

Lady Christabel Amptil owned this lovely Siera Radio, found at her residence in Dunguire Castle.
She wanted to get out of society life, and found an empty castle to call home! How cool is that?!

Castle Dunguaire, Kinvarra from 1520.  There are many great net photos of this, worth the look.

Streets of Galway, fun, colorful, and always photographer-friendly!

Bar Mural.

Home of the Claddagh ring, worth a snap-shot!

Whats this?  A Norman castle?  The Ashford is a delight, recently renovated, and enormous.

Gardens at Ashford, they go on for acres.

The castle peaking through the trees, just grand.

The castle grew over time, but was largely self-supporting in regard to food.

Cong Abbey has a Fishermans hut (like a mini-castle) with hole in floor to drop a net.

This was the view from a Limerick Museum(Grand home) of River Shannon. Viewed after visiting the castle/fort also on the river. Just a lovely city, historic, and the people very friendly.

1300s Bar, no kidding!  Great meal, had my first Smithwicks Beer (300 year old label, for good reason!  Brewed by area monks, it gained popularity.  Kyteler's has history too, built by a woman.

View from the Limerick Castle, looking onto another medieval church. 

This website is for North American visitors. 

We went to Ireland: 2018

So after a long delay to visit the Emerald Isle, we finally boarded a plane out of Boston, and flew into Dublin.  The basic logistics were to hit a vintage radio museum in Houth -just northeast of Dublin, then head to our hotel in Kilkenny.  It worked, but not without fighting our way out of a monumental traffic jam exiting the city.  Narrow roads make for easy accidents, and that bolloxes the end-of-day commute.  With the invaluable GPS unit, we circumnavigated the jam, and resumed our trip.  The Aspect Hotel was fine, accommodations totally up to date.   One more bonus on this:  the cars drive on the left side of the road, and we had a (very decent four-door) manual Renault.  Despite the odd feel of a stick-shift on the left, we did pretty well.  My wife only had to remind me once or twice about driving on the left! 

Now some comments about travel to the UK:  bring a power converter for any US style electronics.  I had an Apple white cube adaptor, which did work, but it is old fashioned; the current UK standard is a beefy three-prong plug, not the cute round two-prong variety.  We found the B&Bs had older bathroom mirrors with the two-prong outlets available, which saved the converter for other items, such as my super-wide-band radio! I was working shortwave and AM broadcast stations in the quiet evening hours.  Critical to any trip, we also could recharge the camera batteries while in the camera.  My electric razor did not require a recharge, which validated my brave decision to leave it at home. But an absolute must-have:  Rick Steve's Guide to Ireland (or any other country).  He is witty, includes relevant historical comments including sourcing idioms we have all heard, and truly useful warnings on what to avoid.  If you are going to have a "once in a lifetime trip," there are no do-overs.  We both brought warm jacket-style gear, and Eddie Bauer Mountain Shell Jackets with Weatheredge technology.  Ireland is wet and cold.  Think 45 degrees, rainy, and windy. Lots of wind.  If you hike, gear is everything, and Ireland has great hiking opportunities.  I packed LL Bean hiking boots as they were also waterproof. 

B&B:  Bed and Breakfast sites are growing in popularity and availability with the advent of apps designed to that end, so if your heading to Ireland, consider B&BIreland.com, as it was amazingly convenient.  We booked early and very late at different sites, there were no awkward conversations about payment or number of nights, all that was addressed through the website. I bought a Groupon's package which allowed two hotel nights, and six B&B nights, the rented car, plus airfare to and from Ireland.  Everything I have just typed is a first-time experience for me, so that it all worked as billed was a huge stress reliever! 

Pics!  We have Pics, including a 13th century church in Limerick.  The structures with that much history deserve a second look.  One church in Galway dates even earlier, and is purported to have been used by Christopher Columbus!   I will post this, and return to post pics once I figure out how!  

First stop: Hurdy Gurdy Vintage Radio Museum, Houth. In Viking fort, earliest sports race narrated by radio.  Marconi himself broadcast from this site, as it is right on the ocean.

Yours truly catching some serious ocean winds, while Fiona locks up.

13th Century Church with safety tower plainly visible.

Just gorgeous views over the ocean, we enjoyed Dublin so much.

 This "new" church was built in 1863, Galway.

 Near the Burren rolling hills.

 Having her "Highlander"moment touching the stone to drift back in time.

 Proof that we were between Boston and Waterville!

Lady Christabel Amptil owned this lovely Siera Radio, found at her residence in Dunguire Castle.
She wanted to get out of society life, and found an empty castle to call home! How cool is that?!

Castle Dunguaire, Kinvarra from 1520.  There are many great net photos of this, worth the look.

Streets of Galway, fun, colorful, and always photographer-friendly!

Bar Mural.

Home of the Claddagh ring, worth a snap-shot!

Whats this?  A Norman castle?  The Ashford is a delight, recently renovated, and enormous.

Gardens at Ashford, they go on for acres.

The castle peaking through the trees, just grand.

The castle grew over time, but was largely self-supporting in regard to food.

Cong Abbey has a Fishermans hut (like a mini-castle) with hole in floor to drop a net.

This was the view from a Limerick Museum(Grand home) of River Shannon. Viewed after visiting the castle/fort also on the river. Just a lovely city, historic, and the people very friendly.

1300s Bar, no kidding!  Great meal, had my first Smithwicks Beer (300 year old label, for good reason!  Brewed by area monks, it gained popularity.  Kyteler's has history too, built by a woman.

View from the Limerick Castle, looking onto another medieval church. 

This website is for North American visitors.