"Ireland, First Trip 1996...then... " a Ireland Travel Page by ladyanne

From the moment I got off the plane in Shannon with my two friends in 1996, I was taken into a submersion of the magic and mystery of the intrigue of Ireland. Everything about it, the air, the scenery, the people, the music, the culture, the pride, the friendliness, the architecture, the ancient ruins......it was a whirlwind of diversity and beauty. From one place to another I was spiritually taken up into an intense aura of another world. A world I have known before, and almost recognized again, but not quite.

No one can explain in words what Ireland is all about. The photos speak some...but not all. You have to see the twinkle in the eye of an Irish person, and see the quick nod of their heads as you pass by and they are still busy at work, acknowleging you but not stopping what they are doing.

We were there for three weeks or more in April of 1996, starting towards Galway, Achill Island, Sligo, Donegal, Inishowen Pen., Northern Ireland, Dublin, Wicklow, Cashel, Kilkenny, Killarney, Dingle Peninsular, Co. Clare, Lough Corrib.

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In 2001 I returned with more friends to get another taste of my Irish addiction.
We decided to rent a cottage in Donegal, it was beautiful, but a bit too cold for the novices trying to keep the "turf" fires going...and the shorter days lessened our daily jaunts. Nestled in the mountains around Finntown and overlooking Lock Muck. Donegal is more remote and untouched than other parts of Ireland, and I really enjoyed that, yet slowly but surely the Celtic Tiger is creeping up. Slieve League, Glencolumcille, Adara, Glenties, Fintown, Letterkenny, Rathmullen, Ramelton, Dunslaugerty...and the other towns are all authentic and enjoyable to visit. The Bloody Forelands is amazing to see.

What I liked about Donegal the most, was that it seems to have the original old pub life that is not arranged for the tourist, but the real heartfelt gathering of the locals who love their music.

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Last month of November 2005....I had the priviledge of going back again to Ireland with my daughter and an old friend who prides herself with the many visits she has made to France and Italy (she loved Ireland by the way..the landscapes were unbelievable to her). We only had 7 days of travel, but with Patricia Preston Tunison's Website and her input, I was able to put together a well rounded guided tour for them, taking in diverse scenery and different types of B&B's (farms, castle, townhouse).
Of course I took them right to the WEST, my favorite part of Ireland. Started out from Shannon...to the Cliffs of Moher, then to Kilfenora which we loved the most. Up through the Burren, the magical lunar services of sheer rock...and then on to Galway. I loved having time to explore Galway city for a whole day, it was so much better than I expected. After two nights there, we went to Corrundula after touring the Connemara. Staying at Cregg Castle B&B was like going back in time and seeing the real Ireland. My photos will tell you why.

Next day a long trek to County Kerry via Limerick to see Adare which we were disappointed in. Spent a night in Milltown near Killorglin, toured Kenmare and then back through Killarney National Park and on to the Dingle Peninsula where we stayed two days. Took an Architectural Tour around Dingle Pen. to all the ancient sites and gorgeous Slea Head.
Finding ourselves on our last day of travel we went back towards Shannon by way of ferry in Tarbet, up the Shannon River and to Newmarket-on-Fergus, attended the Bunratty Castle Mideval Banquet as a final experience.

As usual Ireland showed me her many faces in her colors, her weather patterns, her people and her magic. How can one country create such a love affair. To experience it is to believe it. I am already planning my next trip to my beloved Emerald Isle.

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Co. Donegal was one of my favorite places, after Connemara and Achill Island which tied for first.

This photo is of Slieve League Mt. and the view from the Bunglass Cliffs, hiking and walking.

Carrick and Kilgar was our base, but the highlight was spending time on the Inishowen Peninsula at Malin Head and the surrounding area. So remote and beautiful.

This was a fabulous experience with the combination of the walk, the sunny weather, the blooming gorse, the ancient ruins and old church and abbey. The site of St. Kevin's Church was so speical. Glendalough, Co. Wicklow, just below Dublin.

The photo is of the Round Tower from the inside of the Old Church. Some head stones found and laid up on the side of the walls.

I recommend stopping and spending time here. You will not regret it.