Roadtrip Ireland: 14 Day Itinerary- Part 2

If you haven’t checked out part one of this series, be sure to do so first! We’ve explored the historical town of Dublin, conquered the fear of driving in Ireland, and seen some of the most beautiful natural wonders. Come along as we explore the southern part of the island and everything the Emerald Isle has to offer!

Day 8

A bit of a recovery day after our long drive. Slept in, washed some laundry, wandered around the beautiful sheep farm we were staying at (shout out Ger and his Lake View Studio On the Hill). In the afternoon we stopped in the coastal town of Waterville for a lite lunch and headed over to Ballenskelligs Beach. At sunset we went back to town for a fancy dinner at Dooley’s Seafood and Steak House. Lamb chops, fresh fish, and a bit of early birthday cake were enjoyed with ocean views.

Day 9

The whole reason we made the trip! It was the Birthday Boy’s big day for a world class round of golf. It was so fun to watch him soak in every minute of his time a Waterville Golf Links. I got to caddy with an awesome electric push cart. He was paired with a local Irish gentleman that spent the morning reminiscing on times spent around the course (oh Billy, Billy, Billy!) We spent way too much time and money in the golf shop. It was a truly magical morning! As we made our way back to the Airbnb for the afternoon, it started to pour rain. We spent the rest of the day snuggled in bed watching shows on our phones, thrilled just to get to rest in such a beautiful place.

Day 10

The Ring of Kerry. If you know Ireland, you most likely know this epic drive. The Ring of Kerry is a 111-mile loop around the southwest of Ireland. There are countless attractions to view as you drive along the route. Of course, I wanted to stop every 5 minutes for a hike or photo opportunity, but in order to make it around in a day, we had to keep moving. The stops we made included Kenmar, Moor’s Gap, Torc Waterfall in Killarney National Park, and the Gap of Dunloe. I had planned on hiking Carrauntoohil, but unfortunately came down with a cold in the middle of the trip and was not well enough to safely hike that far. We finished the day with a bit of a detour to Portmagee and the Kerry Cliffs. It must have been Irish luck that we were told about this place and happen to arrive at sunset. For the entire hour we were at this site, we only saw one other person. And as highly as I spoke of Slieve League, Kerry Cliffs was exponentially better. If you make time for only one coastal adventure in Ireland, make sure Kerry Cliffs during sunset is where you end up!

 Day 11

Another long driving day back up to the city of Galway. Yes, it would have saved some time to stop in Galway before heading so far south, but the tee times at Waterville were limited, so this is how it worked out for us. To make the most of our driving adventure, we stop for one more cliff view; the famous Cliffs of Moher. Just because we had been spoiled by the previous cliff experiences, Cliffs of Moher were still breathtaking. It was a windy rainy day. The ocean was rough and there was a moodiness to the views that was truly stunning. The poor weather decreased some of the usual crowds and we ended up being so glad we stopped. Once in Galway, we settled into the new Airbnb turned in for an early night.

 Day 12

The weather took a turn for the best and we had a warm sunny day to enjoy. We headed a bit further west to check out Kylemore Abbey and Connemara National Park. I was finally feeling good enough to push myself on a difficult hike and made it to the top of Diamond Hill, with views of the town of Letterfrack, rolling hills in the National Park, and Kylemore Abbey reflecting on Pollacapall Lough.

 Day 13

Galway is known for its small-town charm and local shops. We spent the day meandering through the streets, finding the best eats and gifts for everyone back home. It was the perfect way to soak in the last of Ireland’s charm. Of course, I spent the evening figuring out how to squeeze all the new luggage into our bags!

Not a single picture taken

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Not a single picture taken ..... :(

Day 14

We took our time in the morning, enjoying the complimentary breakfast at the Airbnb and having a wonderful chat with the host. One of the best parts of Airbnb is meeting the locals that so graciously open their homes. Dublin was our destination in order to return the rental car and prepare for an early flight. Halfway there, we made one last stop at Clanmacnoise monastery ruins; David enjoyed the history, I enjoyed searching for 4 leaf clovers in the luckiest place on earth!

Day 15

Nothing like 18 hours of travelling after a 14-day trip. To say by the end of day 15, we were ready to be in our own bed, would be the understatement of the century. We were thankful for smooth travels through customs and with COVID restrictions. The yelps of excitement and endless kisses from our dogs as soon as we walked in the door was the perfect medicine to ease the sting of leaving such a magical place. Also, don’t be tempted by the Icelandic fish jerky…it quickly became dog treats!

This will certainly be a trip we will never forget. There were many trips before, and have been several trips after, but nothing has yet to compare to the 2 weeks adventuring across the Emerald Isle. This style of travel may leave me exhausted for a few days, but the countless memories made are well worth it!