Ireland - Day 16 - Dublin - Donabate

Yet another restless night . . . but not long now and we'll be in our own beds. Fortunately I am not feeling exhausted, I think Tracy might be. 

This place doesn't have a common area or a shared kitchen or anything but it does include breakfast . . . At 8am (and we were already up - before our alarm!) a lady brought to our room a tray with toast, corn flakes and coffee !

Ireland - Day 15 - Arlee - Clogherhead - Kildare - Dublin

A beautiful castle, a beautiful soft bed (every bed has been so hard), beautiful fully pillows (all pillows have been thin and hard) but another restless night for us both :s Oh well. I still feel pretty good but Tracy was feeling pretty rough so I took her driving shift.  

Ireland - Day 14 - Giants Causeway (Northern Ireland) - Ardee (Republic of Ireland)

They just aren't friendly happy people here - let's get out of here ! ! ! Really quite amazing the difference - very British. We were both up before our 7am alarm, pack and in the kitchen for 8am (that's when it opened) Had our breakfast there (fruit, museli, pancakes with Nutella and jam - btw - I don't like marmalade - it's everywhere here, you'd be happy Dad) 

Ireland - Day 13 - Donegal - Teelin - Northern Ireland/Portrush

Nice, leisure morning, as usual. Our "neighbours" at the guesthouse are from London, On ! Super cute young couple that just got engaged. (looked exactly like Phil and Syd!) The house served a full breakfast (included in the €55!) but the dining area was full when the 'neighbours' came down so I invited them to join us. Nice little visit with them. 

Ireland - Day 12 - Spiddal/Galway - Donegal

We just can't do it . . . Alarm set for 8:30 . . . left Deb's at 11 ! We of course didn't get up until almost 9. Packed up and went down for breakfast.  We had our own but Deb had left out a wonderful spread of cheeses, jams, and breads for us so we naturally had to try them ! We sat at their kitchen table enjoying the wonderful view including a horse maybe 20 feet from the window.

Ireland - Day 11 - Aran Islands

A nice lazy morning, alarm set for 8:30, up at probably 8:45. Put the laundry back in the dryer (we had to hang it last night because we couldn't use the dryer due to a storm - go figure, more rain). Had breakfast and all of a sudden we're late !?!? Rush rush, no hair done, no make-up.

Ireland - Day 10 - Kilrush to Inverin (Galway)

Up at 7:30 but a restless night because of the wind during the night. Not hopeful that the boats will be going today :( I get up and go find Francis (our host) and he calls the Ferry for me - nope, not going and they won't be going for 4-5 days ! 

Ireland - Day 9 - County Clare touring

This one might be short, it's late, I'm tired, and I'm driving tomorrow.

Up and out by 8 today ! Need to make our way to the Doolin pier to get the Ferry to the Aran islands. GPS Maggie and the locals say approx 1hr so we give ourselves 2hr because of these roads. Actually made it by 9:30 only to find out they've been canceled due to weather :(

Ireland - Day 8 - Glenbeigh to Kilrush

Still not up and out early but getting better. On the road by 10. Tracy is driving today (and she was so lucky ! Main roads that weren't narrow or insanely windy - still windy !)

 

First stop - Listowel - Tracy was born in Listowel, Ontario.  We had a latte and scones. €3.50

Ireland - Day 7 - Ring of Kerry

Well, so much for the up and out by 8:30. Think we hit the road at 10:45 ! It was a dull & dreary day and we had the full use of the kitchen. It was kinda fun to be domestic again ! Someone left eggs so we cooked them up; I had berries and avocado from yesterday morning; it was a great breakfast.

Ireland - Day 6 - Cork to Killarney (Glenbeigh)

Another sleepless/restless night. Car day - hopefully.  Up at eight in hopes of an email from Enterprise - nothing. Ask Anne (Ashcroft B&B) to use the phone and call them. "So & so" that we dealt with yesterday isn't in until 9:30 - well can't you help me !? Reluctantly, he does (first unfriendly met) He puts me on hold for about 5min and then disconnects me (will go with - it was an accident).

Ireland - Day 5 - Cork/Blarney

Nope, didn't sleep but no rushing for us. I'm enjoying our leisurely mornings . . . Up at 8:00 out of our room around 9ish.

Walk down to Blarney Village for breakfast at a cute tiny cafe (Old Blarney Post Office Cafe). Super yummy scones with jam, porridge with fruit, honey and cream (real cream - very nice) but still no 'drip' coffee (really kinda missing my home brew now - only have espresso/Americano's here)

Ireland - Day 4 - Arklow to Cork/Blarney

Up and out of the guesthouse early today. Down to the Blue Cafe for breakfast (cute little place down an alley). Tried the 'one of everything' breakfast . . . this included White and Black pudding (foot note on that to follow) . . . tried it but nope, not happening !

Ireland - Day 3 - Dublin to Arlow

Up and out of the Donnybrook by 10:45. Breakfast same as yesterday - only a small tiny bit of 'coffee'

The lad gave us the bus fare because 'we are grand' heehee

Ireland - Day 2 - Dublin

8 solid hours of sleep ! YaY ! And then another 2, oops. Got up at 11 assuming we'd missed breakfast but the gal knocked and let us know we could still eat - so nice.

Great selection of simple breakfast foods. Oats with dried fruit and nuts, yogurt, fresh raspberries and blueberries. Cheese (Swiss and stilton's). Fresh fruit (we shared a banana). Prunes lol. Fresh French pressed coffee.

Ireland - Day 1 - Kitchener to Dublin

Long day. Up at 7 am, picked up Tracy at 11:30, came back home for the boys - great drive - Whiskey goes in the crate from now on! Orson was a bit chatty and Jazpurr was a prince as always. Headed to Mum and Dad's and hung out there until 5pm (pit stop at bulk Barn).