Ireland!!

As many of you know, Dave and I recently returned from an incredible trip to Ireland. We got extremely lucky and everything fell into place perfectly to allow us to venture off to the Emerald Isle!!
Our first stop was Dublin. We stayed for two days (without luggage) and got to see most of the city. Of course, we visited the Guinness Brewhouse and Jameson Distillery and several pubs! Dublin itself is much like other European cities we’ve visited. The most noticeable difference, however, are the people themselves. The Irish are known for their love of conversation, and they did not disappoint. No matter who you are, where you’re from they want to know everything about you and your life. In such a large city, it was nice to have people treating you so warmly.
Next up…the Irish countryside! Dave and I did a very brave thing, and rented a car. Although I did have a few reservations at first, driving really is the best way to see Ireland. We did very well considering the very narrow roads and ridiculously high speeds and got through the whole trip in one piece! We went through several villages, and a few big cities. The Blarney Castle was one really cool place we got to see. We even kissed the stone. Cork City, Kilkenny, Kilarney and Kenmare were just a few of the villages we stopped in. The landscape of the country is like every picture and movie you’ve ever seen of Ireland. I found myself taking pictures and being disappointed because there is no way you can convey what it’s like there through such a small thing.
Since we’ve returned, several people have asked us if we liked this trip better than the others we’ve taken. My answer: It’s a completely different kind of place from all the other ones I’ve been to. The Irish people really do make all the difference. They make you feel like you never left home in the first place.
The trip was amazing. Dave and I cannot wait to get back and see all the things we missed this time around. Here are some pics from the trip…Enjoy!!