We set off to explore some of the countryside (after being ripped off badly with a hire car. Don’t worry we tried several and they were all the same with hidden cost for pick up and insurance) in South Eastern Ireland, making our way to the west. The coastline was rugged but beautiful and the countryside green and lush. We had a great roast beef lunch for €9 including a delicious homemade cheese cake. It was so tasty and the people very friendly. After leaving the coast around Wicklow we made our way to Waterford passing many interesting small villages on the way. Waterford was a nice city but Waterford crystal is no longer made so I had to make do with some Kilkenny Crystal. We drove on to Limerick and found a B&B for the night. We had a problem getting cash-several outlets didn’t recognise our credit cards but we did find one in a department store-the joys of travelling! So make sure you use a Bank of Ireland outlet if you are ever in a similar situation. We went to the local pub for dinner and a Guinness and had a nice chat to the locals. Next morning we explored Limerick and the St John’s castle. We couldn’t go in to it or the museum because nothing opens until after 10am, including the shops. Limerick is a very old city and marries the old with the new well. It is on the River Shannon, a fast flowing large expanse of water. Next we headed for the Cliffs of Moher and an old town Doolin. Again the coastline was very scenic but dull and overcast weather does not make it very inviting. The owner of the B&B had romanticised Doolin a little too much. Obviously a magnet for tourists as the prices were high in the pub and there was not much to see so we decided to head back to Dublin and stay close to the airport as we were leaving for Blackpool in the morning. The drive back was quick and fairly uninteresting we found another B&B in Swords, next door to the airport. It was lovely and Robert found the owner was also a car enthusiast with 25 cars! Another great Irish Stew for dinner and a quite night.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Ireland by car
We set off to explore some of the countryside (after being ripped off badly with a hire car. Don’t worry we tried several and they were all the same with hidden cost for pick up and insurance) in South Eastern Ireland, making our way to the west. The coastline was rugged but beautiful and the countryside green and lush. We had a great roast beef lunch for €9 including a delicious homemade cheese cake. It was so tasty and the people very friendly. After leaving the coast around Wicklow we made our way to Waterford passing many interesting small villages on the way. Waterford was a nice city but Waterford crystal is no longer made so I had to make do with some Kilkenny Crystal. We drove on to Limerick and found a B&B for the night. We had a problem getting cash-several outlets didn’t recognise our credit cards but we did find one in a department store-the joys of travelling! So make sure you use a Bank of Ireland outlet if you are ever in a similar situation. We went to the local pub for dinner and a Guinness and had a nice chat to the locals. Next morning we explored Limerick and the St John’s castle. We couldn’t go in to it or the museum because nothing opens until after 10am, including the shops. Limerick is a very old city and marries the old with the new well. It is on the River Shannon, a fast flowing large expanse of water. Next we headed for the Cliffs of Moher and an old town Doolin. Again the coastline was very scenic but dull and overcast weather does not make it very inviting. The owner of the B&B had romanticised Doolin a little too much. Obviously a magnet for tourists as the prices were high in the pub and there was not much to see so we decided to head back to Dublin and stay close to the airport as we were leaving for Blackpool in the morning. The drive back was quick and fairly uninteresting we found another B&B in Swords, next door to the airport. It was lovely and Robert found the owner was also a car enthusiast with 25 cars! Another great Irish Stew for dinner and a quite night.
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