From Dingle to the Cliffs of MoherIt was bittersweet to leave Dingle, but we were anxious for what was yet to come. On our drive from Dingle, we stopped at the town of Adare for a break, and while there, we checked out the thatched roof buildings. We thought it was neat that they have preserved this part of their history. Adare is another Tidy Town winner!
We were happy to have arrived at the Cliffs of Moher before the fog rolled in. Wow! What a spectacular view to see the edge of Ireland rise 600 feet almost straight up out of the ocean. We also really liked how they tastefully built the interpretive center right into the side of the hill. It blended right into the scenery. Nice! |
The Burren
After the epic Cliffs of Moher, we were off to the totally different topography of the Burren. It was almost like we had entered a different world with its rugged terrain. Mary Howard was our local guide at the Burren, and she was incredibly passionate about sharing the often overlooked life of this area. She told us about the unique topography, the mostly rock surface that wears down to become soil. Farmers allow their cattle to graze the area which keeps the rocks exposed and the area alive--rejuvenating itself. Incredibly, almost 3/4 of the flower types in the region grow in the Burren. It has a rugged beauty, cracking over time, speckled with boulders (glacial erratics) dropped by the glaciers.
On to Galway
Galway is a fun college town filled with street performers, musicians and lots of nightclubs packed again with live music. We gathered for a nice group supper before Dara led us on a short orientation walking tour of Galway, the city where he attended school. It's so neat to have a guide from the area who is not only passionate about his homeland, but also can provide personal anecdotes and insights. That's something you just can't get traveling on your own and one of the reasons we value the Rick Steves experience so much.
People and Culture
Our Awesome Coach Driver!A day of driving is the perfect time to give a shout out to our fantastic driver, Pascal! He was a valuable part of the group!
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Mary HowardMary's sincere passion for the Burren made it come alive for us. I have no doubt she could have spent all day with us if allowed!
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Group DinnersGroup dinners are a great way to get to know our tourmates and experience the local cuisine.
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Places and Sights
The Cliffs of MoherThe iconic Cliffs of Moher are definitely one of the most dramatic and impressive sights from our trip to Ireland.
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The BurrenThe rugged beauty of the Burren is different than anything we've seen on our trip so far, and it holds a plethora of hidden beauty.
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GalwayThese flags in the center of town became one of our lasting images of Galway and a handy way to find our hotel!
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Music and the Arts
Adare, a Tidy TownThe Tidy Town competition has turned entire towns into works of art. The parks and plants of Adare are part of the portrait of Ireland.
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Paint the Town with ArtWe've seen painted buildings like this throughout our tour. They add interesting, alternate views into the city and its people.
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Street MusiciansThis colorful Galway street was filled with musicians, including one who caught our attention by playing guitar on top of a pole.
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