Text and photos by Shari Randall
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| The Ladies View, Killarney National Park |
It really is the Emerald Isle.
For the past two weeks, my husband and I have been in
Ireland, crisscrossing the country on myriad narrow country lanes, reveling in
the thousand shades of green of its storied landscape.
Driving in Ireland is not for the faint of heart or the
claustrophobic. We explored roads so narrow that bordering hedgerows of
wildflowers smacked the windshield and unsuspecting passengers who left their
windows open. Our rental car had one of those parking assist programs that
beeped every time something came within two inches of the car. The narrow driveway
to our cottage set off a furious flurry of warning beeps that had us in stitches. We
learned early on that savvy drivers roll down their windows and fold in their
mirrors as they pass oncoming cars.
But those narrow byways lead to some of the most spectacular
scenery in the world and reward the driver and tireless navigator with postcard
perfect views.
Come along on a mini tour! And be sure to let me know what you've been up to this summer in the comments below.
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| Spectacular scenery is a specialty - Rock of Cashel |
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| Kealkil stone circle. After an hour of GPS, we stopped and asked a man walking his dog. This is the best way to find things in Ireland. |
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| In Ireland, one must stop in a pub (The Palace, Dublin) |
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| Or two. (Arundel's on the Pier, Ahakista, Co. Cork) |
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| Friendly neighbors |
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| Our base of operations, Glantanaw Cottage, Bantry |
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| World's most charming police station, Glengarriff |
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| Things you don't see in the US. (Glengarriff) |
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I was in Ireland twice, once as a kid visiting family friends in Galway, & on an organized bus tour. I'd like to go back, but I am hesitant to drive myself.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you had a wonderful time. The pictures are great.
Shari -- sounds like a wonderful trip. Loved seeing your pictures.
ReplyDelete~ Jim
Great pix! Glad you had a wonderful trip.
ReplyDeleteShari, I love your pictures. Did you get to kiss the Blarney Stone? I did. It was a little scary hanging upside down with someone holding my legs. We stopped at a pub in the morning to listen to a Celtic band (I love Celtic music) and I went to the bar to get a cup of coffee. The bartender asked if I wanted Irish coffee and I said "Yes," not knowing what Irish coffee was. Needless to say I didn't drink much of it. Another thing that mesmerized me in addition to the greenness everywhere were the doors in Dublin of the houses. We ate several meals while in Ireland before taking the ferry to Wales, and I always ordered coffee with my meal which they never delivered. When I'd ask, the waiter would smiled and say "Not to worry." In Ireland the coffee always came after the meal was finished. I really do want to go back to England,
ReplyDeleteIreland and Scotland, but I don't think I'd ever want to drive over there. One of my Guppy
critique partners for almost ten years now lives in England, and I so want to meet her in person.
Love your pictures--and love the story about driving! Tara and I honeymooned in Ireland, and anytime we talk about the trip, the terrors of driving always comes up. Even though we were always going well below the speed limit (with people irritated behind us), Tara still yelped several times as we made curves or passed through thin roads, holding our breaths as cars swooped past us in the other lane. It was an adventure! And glad you're having fun as well.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful trip, Shari, and the photos are glorious! Sounds like you had a great time.
ReplyDeleteCan you feel my envy? Ireland is at the top of my travel list. Your photos are wonderful, and even your scary driving stories won't dissuade me from going ... some day.
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