The best bits and pics of Ireland :)

Well, it's been a week since I got back from Ireland.  I had planned to blog last Sunday after getting back, but had a bit of a mishap with the ferry (ie, i missed it!) so didn't get to Inverness until midnight having driven the last 70 miles on an empty tank (forgot to fill up too!).  Thankfully God looks after Scatterbrains like me :)


All in all though, it was an amazing time.  Trips like this make me realise how fortunate I am to be here and have the opportunity to see another part of this amazing world.  Rather than ramble on beginning with breakfast on day one (cereal, in a cup cos I couldn't find a bowl + really strong tea also, surprisingly, in a cup) I thought I'd write a bit about what I feel were the top three locations/sights.  Firstly though, here is a map of the lovely route Nessie and I took (placed here mostly because I'm proud of myself for figuring out how to stick a map on my blog):


View Larger Map

 

#1 Malin Head - (place C on the map)
This is an easy first choice.  I think there are some places that are easy to fall in love with for no apparent reason. The hostel I stayed as was so homely, the atmosphere really friendly and relaxed, and the scenery amazing!  Malin Head is Ireland's most northerly point, and hardly qualifies as a town.  There isn't much to do except admire the panoramic views out the window, chat over a cup of tea, or walk the amazing beaches...perfect! 

The hostel was right opposite the beach with amazing views.
I also had my first glimpse of Irish sunshine here!

I loved this pebble beach...It was hard to
decide which to look at, the ocean or
the pretty stones :)

#2 The Burren/Lisdoonvarna (place E on the map)
Ok, the double bed for 14 euro per night was a major drawcard here!  It is a beautiful spot though.  The Burren is a huge area of protected rocky landscape.  There are heaps of winding lanes, all with stone walls and cute little villages with thatched roofs.  I spent two nights here so the extra time exploring was great!  The cliffs of Moher are here as well, but I found that part a bit too touristy.  It was much more fun to drive the narrow lanes and see what surprises were just around the corner!  A unique and beautiful place.

One of the advantages of so much rain! A beautiful rainbow
over The Burren

Cute shop with thatched roof...not sure
about the pink though....

#3 Belfast/Titanic Experience (place H on the map)
Generally I don't think much of big cities, but Belfast was a nice surprise.  Unlike Dublin it seemed to cater better for people who aren't there just for Guiness :)  The botanical gardens are beautiful, the Ulster museum is amazing, as are the St George Markets, City Hall and of course The Titanic Experience.  Due to my careful planning (haha, as if!) I was in Belfast for the 100 year anniversary of the Titanic sinking....and actually went to the Titanic Experience on the anniversary night.  The work that has gone into putting it together is extraordinary.  Hugely recommended!

Titanic Belfast...the building itself is fantastic.

Beautiful springtime blossoms in Belfast

So there you go, that was Ireland.  Here are some other favourite pics.  Hope you have a wonderful week.  God bless!

Murals and monument in the formally Catholic part of
Londonderry

My favourite sweets...
Irish style!

A lot of the pavement in the formally Protestant part of
Londonderry is painted in Union Jack colours....and
then I saw the cars.  Coincidence or just strange!?

Hanging out at the Cliffs of Moher

Lemenagh Castle

Glendalough...a beautiful place for hill walking about
an hour south of Dublin

City Hall Belfast - taken from a weird angle

A cute little guy I came across
in Dublin