Ireland Road Trip – Part 2

(Link to Part 1)

DAY 5:  Kinsale

After the miserable weather of the previous day, we woke up to the most glorious sight!  Clear blue skies and an unimaginable view from our bedroom window.

Our B&B below – our bedroom is the top left window. Not too shabby Nige!

Today, we plan to visit an old Fort, take a leisurely tour through the town, and fit in a horse riding lesson for the girls.

First stop, Charles Fort, built in late 17th Century.

Sazza on Guard! 

 

After the fort, we strolled the old town of Kinsale and settled down for some lunch and a pint.

One Guinness, two guinness, three …

 

We were really lucky to get the girls booked on a beginners’ lesson that was happening that afternoon at the local stables.  The girls were in their element!

The riding teacher was proclaiming them as naturals! after they got the hang of the trot in about 30 seconds flat. 

DAY 6:   Killarney National Park, Glin

For our route up north to Glin, the B&B owners recommended that we take the scenic route past Bantry and up through the Killarney National Park.  This was by far, the most spectacular routes of the trip.  Colin’s shutter worked overtime and we spent hours crawling through the park absorbing the scenery.

About mid way through the park, there was a narrow bridge across the river and everyone enroute had pulled off the road to take pics – we probably spent nearly an hour in this one place, but boy, was it beautiful.

And then about 2 miles round the bend we were compelled to spend another hour or so …

but just look at these photos!!!!

  

Eventually, the rapidly fading light persuaded us to press on.  We stopped in the very picturesque town of Killarney for supper and then on to our B&B in Glin.

DAY 7: Cliffs of Moher, Glin

Our B&B in Glin was probably the girls favourite.  With beautiful big grounds, the owners kept chickens and a pony and he was very eager to show the girls around on his morning routine of feeding them.

On the way to the cliffs, we stopped at Kilkee for the girls to play on the beach, with the stern warning of NO GETTING WET!!!

The trip was definitely worth while!  The views were breathtaking and the cliffs were spectacular.

DAY 8:  Portmarnock

After saying goodbye to the pony and chicken, we settled down to the drive from Glin to Dublin. 

As co-incidence would have it, Natalie (Colin’s cousin) was also visiting Ireland and was staying with a friend just outside of Dublin in the coastal town of Portmarnock.  With plans to meet up in the evening, we found a B&B nearby.  We got there mid afternoon and then took the girls to the beach and this time we were not able to stop them from getting completely soaked, nor able to avoid the tears that come about 30 minutes later when they realise their extremities are all completely frozen.

This is the girls when they were still warm and dry…

And not long after, they were no longer dry, nor warm!  No one believed me that the girls spent about 30 minutes in the Irish Sea, wet up to their wastes!

It was great meeting up with Natalie and her kids that evening.  We enjoyed the cozy pub in the neighbouring town of Malahide.

DAY 9: Dublin, Holyhead, Bangor, Newtown

Catching the 8am ferry out of Dublin, it all felt way too early waking up at the crack of dawn.  We only just made our ferry tho, being the last ones to rock up just minutes before they sailed.

On board, Amber was the magician’s helper, who we felt was also suffering the effects of a rather hectic night as he appeared completely hung over and not at all cheerful trying to keep the hoard of screaming children amused.

After the crossing, we stopped at Bangor to explore the Penrhyn Castle and then the Bangor Pier.

The trip through the North of Wales was my second most favourite after the Killarney park.  The mountains were rugged and wild and just breathtaking.   Being a long week-end, there was also a buzzing atmosphere as there were hikers and outdoor’ers a plenty.

DAY 10:

With the last leg of our journey ahead of just with only the drive home remaining, we spent a leisurely morning at the B&B.  It was a charming country home and the owners had 2 children of similar ages to Amber and Sarah.  So, Colin & I took in a walk around the local country lanes and left the girls to enjoy their new playmates for a few hours.

In Holt Heath, on our way back home, we stopped at a charming restaurant for lunch on the river back before making the final trip home.