Travel Tips

Achill Island was one of my first real experiences of "meeting Ireland". We were there on our first day off the plane. We drove through Co. Clare, Galway, Leenane, and Achill.

I still long to go back for a week or so. I want to drive every road and see every view and site, every cottage, and every village. I think this is a very special place.

Northern Ireland, ended up being much more pretty than I expected. However, I did not enjoy the people as much. We stayed in a horrible B&B in Ballycastle.

Dun Luce Castle was amazing, it was closed to the public for tours but we explored it all over. A beautiful day. So close to the edge of the ocean. It actually lost part of the kitchen with all it's servants many years ago. It all went over into the ocean.

This was a surprise when we came up through Co. Mayo on R314 and suddenly we were hit with this beautiful stretch of coastal route, from Belderg to Ballycastle.

It is easy to miss, most folk go to Co. Sligo from Galway and don't come to this part of Co. Mayo. We hit it, because we went to Achill Island.

I am fascinated with the traditional Irish cottages. They are so charming. I did stay for a week in one in Fintown, Co. Donegal. It was great but the wrong time of year. February. Too damp and cold.

This lovely walk in Glencarrif, Glens of Antrim in Northern Ireland, was taken from a trail behind the restaurant, The Manor.
Liam Neisson, and Natasha Richardson had their engagement party here.

This castle is at Minard Head on the Dingle Peninsula, Co. Kerry. It is near Anascaul and Inch.

Lonely church and grave yard, remote and barren, Inishowen Peninsula, Malin Head, Co. Donegal. This is the most northern point of Ireland. Far, far away.

Doesn't this castle look morose and forebearing?? I love this shot, right down to the dark bare branch in corner. This is near Killarney, at the one end of the Ring of Kerry, if you start on the southern end.

Muckross Friary and Muckross Farm is near by. Both interesting visits.