2025 IRELAND Dingle to Blarney via Kenmare June 4

We left Dingle after a lovely continental breakfast at Duinen House. We drove along the coast of the peninsula with beautiful scenery.  We stopped at Kenmare in County Kerry (southern Ireland) and saw a stone circle with a wishing tree and a funny man who gave the guys lessons in Hurling (a sport like lacrosse and hockey).  We did a little shopping in a street market in town, then drove to Davmar House B&B in Blarney around 1.  We checked in, dropped our car and got a ride to town. We walked to Blarney Castle, decided not to stand in line for 90 minutes to kiss the Blarney stone. 

We spent about an hour walking around the huge gardens. We walked up the hill to the Davmar House before getting a cab to go to dinner at the Muskerry Arms. It was very busy but good food. Roast turkey with mashed and veggies, an Irish Stew.  We had a drink at Blarney Castle Hotel and got a cab back up the hill. We did not find any music in town, because it was mid-week.

2025 IRELAND From Galway to Dingle via Cliffs of Moher June 3

 

We left the Galway apartment at 8 am and headed to Dingle along the coast.  We stopped at the Cliffs of Moher which had a very informative Visitor Center built into the hillside. It was SUPER windy walking up to the cliffs, and it's a big attraction so there were lots of people there. We tried to stop for lunch in Ennis but there was no parking available. We ate outside a gas station with a deli- most of them have food.  

We got to Dingle after driving around mountains with lovely sheep and cow-filled valleys. Duinen House, our  B&B, is a beautiful home on a hillside above the town, with a sheep pasture next door.

Host Patrick was lovely- a former teacher and author, he sat and visited with us in the sunroom while we waited for a ride to town. We ate roasted lamb shank and veggies at Lord Baker's Restaurant, the oldest one in town. Food was great and the waiter was very attentive and friendly.  We walked around this fishing harbor town looking for a pub with music but the places that had it were packed. We ended up at Paddy Bawn Brosnan's where we had a good visit with some locals and two guys from Montana. Back to the room at 10:30

2025 IRELAND Donegal to Galway June 2

We woke up to 49 degrees, sun and calm winds. We had a light breakfast, cleaned up and packed. Left the VRBO at 8 a.m. and headed south along the west coast towards Galway. We stopped at the Museum of Country Life but it didn't open until noon. Walked the grounds to stretch before stopping for lunch at Veldon's Seafarer Restaurant in Letterfrack. We both had chicken sandwiches with chips and coleslaw. Cute little place with several rooms and low ceilings. 

 We then stopped at Kylemore Abbey, a huge estate built in the 1860s.  We toured part of the inside, and walked to the private church. It was a very windy walk with some rain. Continued on our way and had to avoid lots of sheep along the road. In Galway we stayed at Geata na Cathrach Lakeside Apartments. Very hard to find, and lots of steps to second level. Had to check in on a kiosk. We went to An Pucan's Pub and listened to some trad music with a young dancer.  Then to Murty Rabbitt's for dinner where a single guy was singing. Steak sandwich and Cottage pie, both were good. Went to Darcy's Pub for one more before bed. It was a very rainy night.

2025 IRELAND Northern Coast Drive to Donegal June 1

 Larry drove the rental car north out of Belfast- some light rain and light traffic.  We got to Giant's Causeway and took the long walk down to see the strange basalt columns.  It was windy but we enjoyed climbing on the rocks.  Marilyn and I took the bus back up the hill.

Continued on our way along the north coast and stopped at a viewpoint with very high cliffs.  

We stopped in Coleraine at a Tim Horton's for lunch, then on to Derry/Londonderry which is partly in Northern Ireland and the other part the Republic of Ireland. We parked on a side street to see the old city wall and it started raining so we stopped into the nearest pub, (George's) for a pint.  We enjoyed talking to the locals while we waited out the rain.

Auto rifle from a cabinet by the door of pub

Continued on into the Republic of Ireland towards Letterkenny.  Pretty countryside- sheep, cows, and hilly.  We stopped for the night at Dromore House near Donegal. Got settled in, we then went to dinner at Jimmy's Tavern in Mountcharles. Good food- we had seafood platter with smoked and baked salmon, mackerel, shrimp with potato salad and rye bread. We stopped for some groceries and ice cream. Went back to the house and played cards, did laundry and planned our route for tomorrow. House was new, with huge rooms, a full kitchen, large sitting area and dining area. We had a quiet sleep in the country.  

2025 IRELAND Travel Day May 31

 Our flight from Keflavik to Dublin left on time at 9:40. When we arrived we took a coach bus to Belfast. It was a very relaxing ride and we got a lot of tips about Ireland talking to an older local couple riding along.  We met Larry and Marilyn V. on the street and walked to Best on the Row B&B which they had stayed at the night before. (we missed a whole day in Belfast😭). Larry took us on a long walk to find a restaurant and finally some nice folks recommended Villa Italia, which is a huge beautiful restaurant with excellent food.  After dinner we walked around and stopped at Lavery's Pub for a drink before heading back to our 2 bedroom/1 bath with living/dining upstairs place.  Very cute and simple.

2025 ICELAND Reykjavik May 29-30

Started our day in Reykjavik by driving downtown to the Laundromat Cafe' to do laundry and have breakfast.  What a concept! Very cute place with laundry and playroom downstairs and cafe' with awesome food and drinks up.  We shared a "Dirty Brunch" which had eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, fruit, bread, yogurt and granola.  Plenty for both of us.  Had a nice chat with other travelers while we ate and waited. Then we walked down to the Hallgrimskjirka (church) and took the elevator to the top for views of the city. We were just in time to watch and hear the 12:00 bells chime! 

Tiny little washers- 2 loads for $20

Back to the car and we drove to the harbor area and went to Fly Over Iceland- a fun ride that takes you on a journey across Iceland by air, including wind and mist.  A great way to see parts of the country that you wouldn't otherwise see. Next door we went to the Whales of Iceland Museum which had life-size models of various types of whales.  Not sure it was worth the money but it was interesting.  

Went to the Perlan Museum which included a Volcano show, Ice cave, various displays and an Aurora show in the planetarium. We spent quite a bit of time here- very worth it.

We drove to the Blue Viking Studios near the Keflavik Airport where we checked into a very spacious room with a kitchenette. We had dinner next to the harbor at the Kaffi Duus seafood restaurant which was outstanding.  Catch of the day was halibut and trout with rice over veggies.

 May 30- travel to Ireland day, but because we missed our flight due to a glitch (*no details!) we had to stay one more night at the Aurora Hotel on Keflavik airport grounds. Because we had returned our car we ate at the hotel and had very good food and accommodations. Staff was wonderful too.  Wish we had more time in Iceland, there is so much to see and do.  We barely scratched the surface. It's a beautiful country.