My Latest Trip: Ireland

Ireland:

The land of jaw-dropping landscapes, ancient mysteries, hearty meals, lively pubs, questionable road widths, and the wildest weather I’ve ever seen.

I mapped out this 10-day adventure with help from Irish friends (met on past tours) and a deep dive into the internet rabbit hole. The locals insisted that driving beats taking the train—and they’re right. Behind the wheel, you’ll reach places rails can’t touch. Just remember: driving on the left side is an adventure itself, and Ireland’s “two-way” roads are often just optimistic suggestions. Speed limits? Let’s just say they range from “suicidally fast” to “grandma’s pace,” with little rhyme or reason.

We booked our rental car through Autoslash and got what seemed like a great deal—$192 for 10 days. But plot twist: our U.S. insurance didn’t cover us after all, despite what we were told. Budget refused to hand over the keys without Irish coverage, which wound up costing more than the car itself. Lesson (re)learned: shit happens, sometimes travel means shrugging, paying the extra, and remembering—this is part of the adventure.

Trip Highlights

• Ruins everywhere. Stop often. My favorites? Newgrange, Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery, Hill of Slane, and the Poulnabrone Dolmen—ancient history you can literally walk through.

• Scenic Beauty. Cliffs of Moher and the Gap of Dunloe—both jaw-dropping and soul-filling.

• Kissing the Blarney Stone. Did not expect to hang upside down out of a castle wall for it. How did I not know?! They do sanitize it after every kiss, by the way.

• Fairy Bridges. Impossible architecture that somehow stands. Magical and mildly terrifying.

• Waterford Crystal Factory. The craftsmanship is incredible—makes you wish you had a royal budget.

• Sligo. A last-minute lunch stop turned into a delightful wander. Proof that unplanned moments are where the magic happens.

• Derry (Northern Ireland). Electric, F-U energy, rich history, and unapologetically feisty spirit.

Tips

• Rent a small car—the roads are charmingly narrow when you’re not stuck in them (yes, we got stuck in the Gap of Dunloe, but were saved by strangers).

• Figure out car insurance before you go (trust me, you’ll thank yourself). Your credit card may insure you - call them before you go!

• The Rock of Cashel closes for high winds—true story. Not much else nearby, so check conditions before you detour.

• Two weeks recommended if hitting both Ireland and Northern Ireland; 10 days felt rushed.

• Book your tickets early for Newgrange, the Titanic Belfast museum, and the Book of Kells in Dublin.

• Check the weather before you go—seriously. I saw highs in the upper 50s°F and thought, “Perfect hoodie weather!” So off I went, blissfully unprepared. What the forecast didn’t mention was the wind strong enough to make even kite flying dangerous. It felt like the Arctic moved in - strangely, usually during the afternoons. A thick jacket, gloves, and a warm hat would’ve saved me from questioning all my life choices.

Food Finds

• Breakfast: The Greenhouse Café in Gorey—yes, it’s literally inside a greenhouse within a garden store. Expect both quality and quantity, for a good price too!

• All-day snacking: St. George’s Market in Belfast—an eating tour of local delights under one roof. Heaven.

• Lunch: Lyon's Cafe in Sligo - a good variety of food for all kinds of eaters - quick, easy, and tasty!

Places We Missed (and Still Dream About...Giving Us Reasons to Return)

• Wexford (Kennedy family roots)

• Ring of Kerry (Kerry Cliffs)

• Powerscourt House

• Dingle Peninsula

• Giant’s Causeway

• Hill of Tara

• Slieve League

• Rock of Cashel (see sad picture below)

Ireland keeps some of the best spots in its furthest corners, which means there’s always a reason to go back. Even when things go sideways—roads, weather, insurance—you’ll still be grinning your way through some of the most stunning landscapes on Earth.

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