Well, I'm back from Ireland...and certainly not happy about it. (really long and MWW)
10-14-2008, 12:53 PM
#1
AudiWorld Super User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,110
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well, I'm back from Ireland...and certainly not happy about it. (really long and MWW)
I don't understand how an island that's the size of Indiana has so much to see! There's just so much history, natural beauty, and food and drink to experience. Though there was a point when I thought that the whole trip could be summed by 4 things: Ruins, Churches, Cows, and Sheep. You just see so many of all of them...
I feel like I missed so much, yet I saw more than I ever dreamed possible. I'll try to keep this brief, and unfortunately, I only have the pictures from my own camera...not my travel companion's. I'll be sure to load those at some point, but we're talking about 900+ photos. Might take a while.
Well, I knew it would be a good flight when I got on the plane and was greeted by this in the armrest.
<img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/apkS4.AW/SPTUCU-j38I/AAAAAAAAAEA/Tyxphg7sU8g/s640/IMG_0025.jpg">
It's the best I can do for Audi content (though I did see a number of A5s and new A4s on the road).
We drove about 1500 km around the island (nearly 1000 miles).
<img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/apkS4.AW/SPTqdbNJx-I/AAAAAAAAAJ0/MMnbuqO0rSI/ireland%20trip.jpg">
Here was our chariot...a 2008 Nissan Micra. 1.3L of fuel-injected fury who returned an incredibly respectable 35-40 mpg on the trip...most of which was with the A/C on to keep the inside glass from fogging. We nicknamed her Roaring Meg after a cannon in Derry. Roaring Meg (the cannon) kicked back nearly 20 feet each time she was fired and required 2 people to push her back into place. We figured the 2 of us could push Meg (the car) wherever we needed to. She was tiny.
<img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/apkS4.AW/SPTUCkhvjpI/AAAAAAAAAEI/uKiavH33Se0/s800/IMG_0030.jpg">
After arriving in Dublin, we got Meg, and headed north towards Belfast. We stopped in a small town (Drougheda) for breakfast and a walk-through of an old church. There are a lot of churches in Ireland. We made it to Belfast, wandered around, saw the main sights. Being a rather dismal day, it wasn't the best for sightseeing. Here's the City Hall. Amazing building.
<img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/apkS4.AW/SPTUCqLehZI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/i0edNGqVAmc/s800/IMG_0040.jpg">
Oh, and we found our first of these:
<img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/apkS4.AW/SPTUC9Hh2JI/AAAAAAAAAEY/gk6hJ5c_SDw/s640/IMG_0099.jpg">
Guinness is just better over there. It is. They take the time to pour it correctly (approx 5 minutes total), they have the proper nitrogen lines, turnover is rapid, and it doesn't need to make a transatlantic journey. It just tastes better there.
We ended the day at a B&B in Cushendall, a sleepy town on the northeast coast. We stopped in Cushendun on the way for coffee. We were unsuccessful in finding coffee, but, did manage to take some scenic pics.
<img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/apkS4.AW/SPTUDEHBkPI/AAAAAAAAAEg/iTj2OKHARlI/s800/IMG_0134.jpg">
We were so fortunate that this turned out to be a phenomenally clear day. We visited the Rope Bridge at Carrick-a-rede:
<img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/apkS4.AW/SPTVkbNQAxI/AAAAAAAAAEw/ZckHjGHmlfs/s640/IMG_0178.jpg">
<img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/apkS4.AW/SPTVkkTqGCI/AAAAAAAAAE4/8qyMflnIPuk/s640/IMG_0167.jpg">
Giant's Causeway:
<img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/apkS4.AW/SPTVk3fMmII/AAAAAAAAAFA/QhSN_3a2SEA/s640/IMG_0212.jpg">
<img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/apkS4.AW/SPTVlL6gGCI/AAAAAAAAAFI/yEFiB88DaEM/s800/IMG_0231.jpg">
<img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/apkS4.AW/SPTVlee3RUI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/v8lNCOd7uoM/s640/IMG_0262.jpg">
The Bushmill's Distillery (they don't let you take pictures on the tour):
<img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/apkS4.AW/SPTXDAqOM1I/AAAAAAAAAFc/-jQIjvFPwL0/s800/IMG_0271.jpg">
Derry/Londonderry (depending on which side of the Irish/English war you support) where we found Roaring Meg (the cannon):
<img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/apkS4.AW/SPT5vmlfuSI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/Quhm2PUVz9s/s800/IMG_0291.jpg">
Onward to Donegal for the evening. We found the nicest little pub called The Reel with traditional Irish music. The owner/bartender played the accordion and I honestly couldn't understand a word he said. Great memories of the place...but those pics are on the other camera. Anyways, here's Donegal Castle:
<img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/apkS4.AW/SPTXDO3GqhI/AAAAAAAAAFk/E0czblMFuL8/s800/IMG_0316.jpg">
We headed south towards Galway and went through Yeats country near Sligo. The Glencar waterfall was a worthwhile stop, despite the pounding rain:
<img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/apkS4.AW/SPTXDgUegpI/AAAAAAAAAFs/us1MUTyDSCw/s640/IMG_0330.jpg">
Hey, more ruins! Sligo Abbey (est. 1253) in Sligo.
<img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/apkS4.AW/SPTXD_FKQkI/AAAAAAAAAF0/PWAGRHGGhFg/s800/IMG_0352.jpg">
Easy drive to Galway, which is a great town. Very lively, if not a bit touristy. Fantastic seafood for dinner and a good pub scene.
<img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/apkS4.AW/SPTYLCjUQoI/AAAAAAAAAGI/h606FBD8yz8/s640/IMG_0406.jpg">
Well, the next day was supposed to be a trip to the Aran Islands and the Cliffs of Moher. We skipped the Arans since it was pouring rain and foggy. We hoped that it would be better a little further south at the Cliffs. Here's what we were supposed to see:
<img src="http://www.roadtoireland.eu/Ireland_Cliffs_of_Moher.jpg">
Here's what we saw:
<img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/apkS4.AW/SPTYMCz_8rI/AAAAAAAAAGY/MlNynKXA0lo/s640/IMG_0416.jpg">
You can sort of make out a little bit in the middle of the photo. It's Ireland...what did I expect?
Well, we headed down to Killarney and it cleared up overnight. Killarney is super-touristy. So what's a tourist to do? Take a ride in a jaunting car around Killarney National Park! Our jarvey (driver) was Patrick and the horse was Jack. I want Patrick's job...he does this from April until October, then spends the rest of the year in the pub watching football.
<img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/apkS4.AW/SPTYMesqJ3I/AAAAAAAAAGg/v0ItEFsEYTg/s800/IMG_0429.jpg">
This is the view from Ross Castle...not bad.
<img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/apkS4.AW/SPTYMuW1jbI/AAAAAAAAAGo/tJ2xLoLOz1U/s800/IMG_0440.jpg">
We took a drive around the Ring of Kerry - amazing views...all on the other camera since I drove the whole thing. Easier for the passenger to take pics. However, we did stop on Valentia Island and were greeted with this breathtaking view. You can barely make out the Skellig Islands through the haze in the distance.
<img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/apkS4.AW/SPTar22VJNI/AAAAAAAAAG4/HMS9GgL_ZT0/s800/IMG_0461.jpg">
<img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/apkS4.AW/SPTasYehAUI/AAAAAAAAAHA/ESR3SpgpJKo/s800/IMG_0476.jpg">
The rain caused some serious traffic problems and we eventually made it to Kinsale for the night. We had an amazing meal at a place called Hoby's. It's the type of place I'd love to run - perfectly prepared food at a reasonable price. Amazing! The plan was to see the Wine Museum in Kinsale, but time was starting to get short...so we went directly to Blarney Castle. For as touristy as it is, it was really a pleasant surprise. The castle:
<img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/apkS4.AW/SPTasivbVvI/AAAAAAAAAHI/Os8GSchAB_o/s640/IMG_0545.jpg">
Kissing the Blarney Stone:
<img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/apkS4.AW/SPTasxWRXaI/AAAAAAAAAHc/1d_v0AhUQqA/s800/IMG_0509.jpg">
We made it to the Waterford Crystal factory in Waterford. Cool stuff to watch them blow and mold the crystal, watch the cutters and etchers do their work, and see the trophies they produce for golf, tennis, sailing, and other major sporting events.
<img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/apkS4.AW/SPTgAci5tKI/AAAAAAAAAHg/tBHhPZDpGCI/s800/IMG_0547.jpg">
It was a long drive back up to Dublin for the night. We took a cab from the hotel to Temple Bar. We drank many pints, though I'm really surprised that most pubs close between 11 and 12. Oh, and I got my obligatory bewb grab with Molly Malone...with cockles and mussels...
<img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/apkS4.AW/SPTgA012n6I/AAAAAAAAAHw/sr09doCbgHw/s800/IMG_0565.jpg">
Anyways, I will spend the next week or so uploading photos and will post the album when it's done.
It sucks to be back.
I feel like I missed so much, yet I saw more than I ever dreamed possible. I'll try to keep this brief, and unfortunately, I only have the pictures from my own camera...not my travel companion's. I'll be sure to load those at some point, but we're talking about 900+ photos. Might take a while.
Well, I knew it would be a good flight when I got on the plane and was greeted by this in the armrest.
<img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/apkS4.AW/SPTUCU-j38I/AAAAAAAAAEA/Tyxphg7sU8g/s640/IMG_0025.jpg">
It's the best I can do for Audi content (though I did see a number of A5s and new A4s on the road).
We drove about 1500 km around the island (nearly 1000 miles).
<img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/apkS4.AW/SPTqdbNJx-I/AAAAAAAAAJ0/MMnbuqO0rSI/ireland%20trip.jpg">
Here was our chariot...a 2008 Nissan Micra. 1.3L of fuel-injected fury who returned an incredibly respectable 35-40 mpg on the trip...most of which was with the A/C on to keep the inside glass from fogging. We nicknamed her Roaring Meg after a cannon in Derry. Roaring Meg (the cannon) kicked back nearly 20 feet each time she was fired and required 2 people to push her back into place. We figured the 2 of us could push Meg (the car) wherever we needed to. She was tiny.
<img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/apkS4.AW/SPTUCkhvjpI/AAAAAAAAAEI/uKiavH33Se0/s800/IMG_0030.jpg">
After arriving in Dublin, we got Meg, and headed north towards Belfast. We stopped in a small town (Drougheda) for breakfast and a walk-through of an old church. There are a lot of churches in Ireland. We made it to Belfast, wandered around, saw the main sights. Being a rather dismal day, it wasn't the best for sightseeing. Here's the City Hall. Amazing building.
<img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/apkS4.AW/SPTUCqLehZI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/i0edNGqVAmc/s800/IMG_0040.jpg">
Oh, and we found our first of these:
<img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/apkS4.AW/SPTUC9Hh2JI/AAAAAAAAAEY/gk6hJ5c_SDw/s640/IMG_0099.jpg">
Guinness is just better over there. It is. They take the time to pour it correctly (approx 5 minutes total), they have the proper nitrogen lines, turnover is rapid, and it doesn't need to make a transatlantic journey. It just tastes better there.
We ended the day at a B&B in Cushendall, a sleepy town on the northeast coast. We stopped in Cushendun on the way for coffee. We were unsuccessful in finding coffee, but, did manage to take some scenic pics.
<img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/apkS4.AW/SPTUDEHBkPI/AAAAAAAAAEg/iTj2OKHARlI/s800/IMG_0134.jpg">
We were so fortunate that this turned out to be a phenomenally clear day. We visited the Rope Bridge at Carrick-a-rede:
<img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/apkS4.AW/SPTVkbNQAxI/AAAAAAAAAEw/ZckHjGHmlfs/s640/IMG_0178.jpg">
<img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/apkS4.AW/SPTVkkTqGCI/AAAAAAAAAE4/8qyMflnIPuk/s640/IMG_0167.jpg">
Giant's Causeway:
<img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/apkS4.AW/SPTVk3fMmII/AAAAAAAAAFA/QhSN_3a2SEA/s640/IMG_0212.jpg">
<img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/apkS4.AW/SPTVlL6gGCI/AAAAAAAAAFI/yEFiB88DaEM/s800/IMG_0231.jpg">
<img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/apkS4.AW/SPTVlee3RUI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/v8lNCOd7uoM/s640/IMG_0262.jpg">
The Bushmill's Distillery (they don't let you take pictures on the tour):
<img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/apkS4.AW/SPTXDAqOM1I/AAAAAAAAAFc/-jQIjvFPwL0/s800/IMG_0271.jpg">
Derry/Londonderry (depending on which side of the Irish/English war you support) where we found Roaring Meg (the cannon):
<img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/apkS4.AW/SPT5vmlfuSI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/Quhm2PUVz9s/s800/IMG_0291.jpg">
Onward to Donegal for the evening. We found the nicest little pub called The Reel with traditional Irish music. The owner/bartender played the accordion and I honestly couldn't understand a word he said. Great memories of the place...but those pics are on the other camera. Anyways, here's Donegal Castle:
<img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/apkS4.AW/SPTXDO3GqhI/AAAAAAAAAFk/E0czblMFuL8/s800/IMG_0316.jpg">
We headed south towards Galway and went through Yeats country near Sligo. The Glencar waterfall was a worthwhile stop, despite the pounding rain:
<img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/apkS4.AW/SPTXDgUegpI/AAAAAAAAAFs/us1MUTyDSCw/s640/IMG_0330.jpg">
Hey, more ruins! Sligo Abbey (est. 1253) in Sligo.
<img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/apkS4.AW/SPTXD_FKQkI/AAAAAAAAAF0/PWAGRHGGhFg/s800/IMG_0352.jpg">
Easy drive to Galway, which is a great town. Very lively, if not a bit touristy. Fantastic seafood for dinner and a good pub scene.
<img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/apkS4.AW/SPTYLCjUQoI/AAAAAAAAAGI/h606FBD8yz8/s640/IMG_0406.jpg">
Well, the next day was supposed to be a trip to the Aran Islands and the Cliffs of Moher. We skipped the Arans since it was pouring rain and foggy. We hoped that it would be better a little further south at the Cliffs. Here's what we were supposed to see:
<img src="http://www.roadtoireland.eu/Ireland_Cliffs_of_Moher.jpg">
Here's what we saw:
<img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/apkS4.AW/SPTYMCz_8rI/AAAAAAAAAGY/MlNynKXA0lo/s640/IMG_0416.jpg">
You can sort of make out a little bit in the middle of the photo. It's Ireland...what did I expect?
Well, we headed down to Killarney and it cleared up overnight. Killarney is super-touristy. So what's a tourist to do? Take a ride in a jaunting car around Killarney National Park! Our jarvey (driver) was Patrick and the horse was Jack. I want Patrick's job...he does this from April until October, then spends the rest of the year in the pub watching football.
<img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/apkS4.AW/SPTYMesqJ3I/AAAAAAAAAGg/v0ItEFsEYTg/s800/IMG_0429.jpg">
This is the view from Ross Castle...not bad.
<img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/apkS4.AW/SPTYMuW1jbI/AAAAAAAAAGo/tJ2xLoLOz1U/s800/IMG_0440.jpg">
We took a drive around the Ring of Kerry - amazing views...all on the other camera since I drove the whole thing. Easier for the passenger to take pics. However, we did stop on Valentia Island and were greeted with this breathtaking view. You can barely make out the Skellig Islands through the haze in the distance.
<img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/apkS4.AW/SPTar22VJNI/AAAAAAAAAG4/HMS9GgL_ZT0/s800/IMG_0461.jpg">
<img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/apkS4.AW/SPTasYehAUI/AAAAAAAAAHA/ESR3SpgpJKo/s800/IMG_0476.jpg">
The rain caused some serious traffic problems and we eventually made it to Kinsale for the night. We had an amazing meal at a place called Hoby's. It's the type of place I'd love to run - perfectly prepared food at a reasonable price. Amazing! The plan was to see the Wine Museum in Kinsale, but time was starting to get short...so we went directly to Blarney Castle. For as touristy as it is, it was really a pleasant surprise. The castle:
<img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/apkS4.AW/SPTasivbVvI/AAAAAAAAAHI/Os8GSchAB_o/s640/IMG_0545.jpg">
Kissing the Blarney Stone:
<img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/apkS4.AW/SPTasxWRXaI/AAAAAAAAAHc/1d_v0AhUQqA/s800/IMG_0509.jpg">
We made it to the Waterford Crystal factory in Waterford. Cool stuff to watch them blow and mold the crystal, watch the cutters and etchers do their work, and see the trophies they produce for golf, tennis, sailing, and other major sporting events.
<img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/apkS4.AW/SPTgAci5tKI/AAAAAAAAAHg/tBHhPZDpGCI/s800/IMG_0547.jpg">
It was a long drive back up to Dublin for the night. We took a cab from the hotel to Temple Bar. We drank many pints, though I'm really surprised that most pubs close between 11 and 12. Oh, and I got my obligatory bewb grab with Molly Malone...with cockles and mussels...
<img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/apkS4.AW/SPTgA012n6I/AAAAAAAAAHw/sr09doCbgHw/s800/IMG_0565.jpg">
Anyways, I will spend the next week or so uploading photos and will post the album when it's done.
It sucks to be back.
10-14-2008, 01:34 PM
#4
AudiWorld Super User
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 5,641
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
wow, amazing pics! thx 4 sharing...
I had to look up Giant's Causeway... Wow! Never heard of it before.
Kissing the Blarney Stone - So that's where the pics I've seen of ppl bending backwards kiss'n the stone wall! I bet arob would love to be the attendant working there! ;oP Well... I would too. LoL
Kissing the Blarney Stone - So that's where the pics I've seen of ppl bending backwards kiss'n the stone wall! I bet arob would love to be the attendant working there! ;oP Well... I would too. LoL
