Ireland was a lush, green wonderland full of meaty breakfasts, long, lazy drives in the countryside, and plenty of opportunities to take gorgeous pictures.
But my favorite thing about Ireland was not the sights, the food, or even the delicious whipped ice cream (although that's a close second.) It was the way it made me feel. It was a reminder that things could still be magical and charming, a respite from all of the chaos, the non-stop news cycle, and the hustle and bustle so common here at home in the States.
One morning, my travel companion Claire and I blew a tire on our way to Giant's Causeway. We spent an hour at a gas station waiting for someone to come switch out the tire. We were in the middle of nowhere, with no cozy coffee shops to escape to, no local scenery to snap pictures of. Just she and I, in the thick of real, day-to-day modern life in Ireland.
I sat for awhile in a booth inside, chewing on an egg sandwich and watching a rerun of Friends on the tele. It was a simple moment, but one of my beloved memories about Ireland. Just she and I, on the unpredictable, yet fascinating open road.
Here are some of my favorite photos from our trip.
a view of the sea near giant's causeway
the famous temple bar in downtown dublin
a pretty shot in downtown dublin, near the river
a row of colorful buildings in doolin
a breakfast sandwich from a local grocery
the entry of a bookstore in doolin
unidentified flowers by the road
a foggy day at the Cliffs of Moher
bright boats at a harbor in galway
a vibrant thrift store in dublin
some shiny shoes i wore in ireland
i wish this was my car
my favorite things
By Melissa Elise Randall, Editor
Yummy Seafood Stew
I'm a soup person, and I love all kinds of European/Nordic fish stew. On a rainy afternoon in Doolin, we stopped at The Ivy Cottage Cafe, where I had soda bread and seafood chowder.
Ballyvara, Doolin, Co. Clare, Ireland
Puckering Up At Blarney Castle
I'm naturally gifted with gab, but I kissed the Blarney Stone anyway. The actual act of kissing the stone is terrifying, as you must hang backwards and upside down off the side of the castle for a simple peck.
Whipped Ice Cream At The Park
Claire and I spent a brisk morning at Phoenix Park in Dublin, where I had a light and airy vanilla whip for breakfast.
Phoenix Park, Dublin 8, Ireland
Treasure Hunting
I'm a drifty girl in a thrifty world, and I am always popping into vintage shops, bookstores, flea markets, etc. In Doolin, I found a small bookstore with a section of plays from Irish writers - I picked up an old copy of Philadelphia, Here I Come! as well as a copy of The Pillowman. In Dublin, I visited various thrift shops downtown, rescuing a black felt hat from obscurity, as well as a funky lavender clutch for my friend. It took everything in me not to take more.
The National Gallery of Ireland
Thanks to some Drifty Magic, Claire and I got an additional day in the capital (as well as $700 from the airline + free hotel because our flight was cancelled and rebooked or a day later.) Thus, we got to visit The National Gallery of Ireland.
I loved the art, especially pieces like A Convent Garden, Brittany by William John Leech, and The Fisherman's Mother by Helen Mabel Trevor. But my favorite was Grief, by Jack B. Yeats (pictured.) It's a blurry, chaotic mess, similar to how angst and misery feel in the deepest, most intense moments of loss.
The Dogs of Kells
The charming dogs of Kells were one of the highlights of our trip. The dogs would burst into mad sprints at the command of their shepherd, who shared interesting tidbits about the history of sheepdogs.
Kells Sheep Centre, Ring of Kerry, Gleensk, Co. Kerry, Ireland
travel tips from locals
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