Roadtrip Ireland

Let me tell you, the first hour of driving a car on the right side of the road, and right side of the car, is enough to drive someone to drink! After a driver change, we were off to Doolin.

DOOLIN
Doolin is known for its traditional pub culture. On any given night, there is an improvised irish music session, some Irish dancing, and lots of Guinness! We stayed at Allie River Hostel, which was situated on a riverside just off the country lane, which was kept cozy with a woodburning fireplace.

COUNTY KERRY
Beautiful county, with loads of hills, stone walls, ruins, and plenty of sheep! We spent a couple days driving around these winding roads, and would say that it's the most laid back, and peaceful county we were in.

BLARNEY and CORK
After getting caught up in beautiful Kerry, losing track of time, we had left ourselves two hours to get to the Blarney stone so we could kiss the thing to make momma Feeney happy... We were a little further than two hours away, so we had to move it. We got there ten minutes late, and were rather pleased to see they open one hour longer than we thought! We were in! The stone is a little overated, but the grounds of the castle were actually quite lovely to walk around. We decided to spend the night in Cork.
Cork is just another big city. Good pub culture, but we decided to hit up the farmers market the next morning, and take a day's drive to the North coast to see the famous Giant's Causeway.

GIANTS CAUSEWAY
Well, we bit off more than we can chew. By 9:00 p.m. we had been on the road for nearly 8 hours, and just couldn't tackle the remaining hour before some rest. As anticipated, Ireland was eating our budget. Seeing as were were now in the North, currency had changed to the Pound. So we decided to save some money, and spent the night in the car. Which in true Scott and Niki form, it brings in a story...

"Scott! Wake up! The cops are pulling in!" So now is when we could find out how much it costs to sleep in a car for the night. Waiting in anticipation to see what the cops are here for... Murder? Attack? Or maybe some drugs.
After a car search, and seeing a group of some late teen kids, it was obvious that it was a drug bust. Once finished with the kids, they made their way to our window. First thing the Irish cop asks after we exchange hello's, he asks "where in Canada are you from?"... We like this guy already. In Ireland, you are never asked where in Canada, its Where in America are you from? So he goes on to tell us that we are safe to sleep here, and will check in on us throughout the night, after cracking a joke of the drug bust that just went on.

We began driving as light was just forming the morning, and we made it to The Giant's Causeway by sunrise. It's a sight too beautiful to describe. Pictures or words will never do it any justice. It's a great natural formation from volcanic rock, millions of years old, that everyone must see.

DERRY
The only city in all of Europe, whose walled city has never been breached and still stands today. We spent the afternoon walking around the wall, taking in the history of the "troubles".

THE NORTHERN TIP
We drove up to the most Northern tip in Ireland to visit a hostel on the very north shore. When we arrived, we read a sign on their window saying they are closed for a week or so for unseen circumstances. After exploring the shoreline, we headed back down the Peninsula to find accomodation for the night. On route, we stop on a deserted road to watch in amazement, that along the mountain side, the sheep were running in circles on the cliffside. After a few giggles, we both scream and dropped silent. One little lamb took a bump from his brother, and he went off the edge of the cliff. No lie, it dropped at least 15 stories, and laned in front of us in the grass! Scott jumped out of the car and waved down a local farmer, and they went and realised the lamb was fine! Tough little sucker...

CONNEMARA
We stayed two nights in a very Bohemian, rustic old house. Warmed only by fireplaces. Surrounded by trees, you were only steps away from the National Park. This has been the best Hostel we have stayed in so far. We made the trek up the Diamond Hill at the National Park... This was a four hour hike, up to spectacular views atop the mountain of Connemara. We met a group of other backpackers at the summit, where we took a rest to swap stories.

SHANNON AIRPORT
We found a humble abode in the viewing gallery of the Shannon Airport. We caught a few zzz's before heading off to Europe.