galmc2Report

I know, you’re actually not one place, although we understand that some who live on your shores would like you to be. I hope you will indulge me in my musings as I speak to the whole of our experience on your island.

First off, thanks for having us over. No need to fret about the weather. Who would have thought there would be 30 days of wind/cloud/sun/rain all happening within 20 minute spans of each other? It was so sweet how locals would remind us in the first few days that “June was very sunny and warm.” As I said, it’s ok. We’re from BC, we appreciate you giving us a chance to over-utilize (like, use every day) the rain jackets we packed around for months and barely used.

Thanks for all the Guinness. I admit I am late to this particular party, but the many Guinness I sampled in your country were superb. Have to admit though, I found the tour of the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin to be a bit lame. Basically €30 for a pint in a crowded sky room where I couldn’t even sit. I know that I am in the minority, but our relationship needs to be based on honesty.

Thanks for all the excitement we had driving your roads. There’s nothing quite like being in a narrow lane (I can’t even call it a road), having to edge past a guy with a dog and another guy with a baby stroller (yes, walking together), and then having to back up past them when other vehicles are coming at me. Thankfully the famous Slea Head Road drive on the coast by Dingle tries to get everyone to drive one way. And speaking of that drive, it was a real highlight. And another probably unpopular tourist opinion….it’s better than the Ring of Kerry (except for the Portmagee/Skellig part).

Thanks for all the beautiful scenery. Your country really does live up to its reputation. The various “Cliffs of…” that we saw, the Burren, the North Coast (OMG the Giants Causeway was a total highlight), and so many other sights we saw as we drove around from south to north. Special thumbs up to Inis Mor, one of your Aran Islands. Just incredible.

Thanks for the incredible music scene and your pubs. I’m glad we found some of your smaller ones. That Temple one in Dublin was a bit much TBH. Big shout out to the dude in Cork who steered us to Sin é and to John the Man in Dublin who showed us some locals spots that weren’t too touristy.

Thanks for sharing your stories. I know we only scratched the surface in understanding “The Troubles” but we leave knowing more than when we came. Best of luck!

And finally, thanks to all your great people. We’d heard stories of the engaging, kind characters who live in your land. It was our pleasure to meet a few. A special shout-out to the lovely lady who stepped in and paid for our bus fare from the Dublin airport into town.

Thanks for it all Ireland. We don’t know if our paths will cross again, but know that when we speak of you, we will speak well.

Slainte!

Paul and Heather