The Sunnydaze Diaries

 “Ireland is not just a place; it’s a poetic blessing. Its landscapes, its people, and its stories are woven into a tapestry of beauty and inspiration”. 
-William Butler Yeats

At the end of a vacation in the Bahamas, some newly made friends asked us if we were coming back to the Caribbean the following year. “No,” I said, “we’re going to Ireland!” I have no idea where that boldness came from, but once the words went out into the universe, I felt committed to making it happen.
My third great-grandfather, and a fifth great-grandfather and fifth great-grandmother, were all Irish. Those are distant connections I know, but still I’ve always felt drawn there, and Ireland was at the top of my bucket list. Our best friends and travel buddies have an even more direct connection to the Emerald Isle, so they were all in.
So many decisions to be made! Go with an organized tour? Stay in Dublin and go on a few excursions and bus trips to see the sights? Instead, we decided to attempt a self-driving road trip, and truthfully, I think that is the absolute best way to experience all Ireland has to offer.
Yes, it is a little scary to rent a car and drive around a foreign country, especially when they drive on the opposite side of the road, but you do get the hang of it, I promise! A road trip gives you freedom and opportunities you can’t get otherwise. We stayed in a wide-ranging variety of lodgings, visited ancient ruins and famous cathedrals, and strolled through manicured gardens and along clifftops. We lingered over cappuccinos at small sidewalk cafes, and we would randomly jump out of the car for pictures of sheep.
There were four of us on this trip, and it took about a year to plan and save for it. Ten days was a perfect amount of time – we focused mainly on the southern and middle parts of the country, and tried to throw in a little bit of everything. I hope this itinerary inspires you to plan your own Irish road trip!

If you’re planning a trip to the Emerald Isle, it can be a bit overwhelming! I am not declaring myself an expert since we’ve only been there once (so far), but here are some of the things we learned along the way, and a few stories as well. Hopefully these will help you out. Please let me know if you have any questions!
For our experiences with lodging, please check out: Ireland – Places to Stay | The Sunnydaze Diaries
And for a few restaurant suggestions see: Ireland – a note about pubs and restaurants | The Sunnydaze Diaries

“My definition of a good hotel is a place I’d stay at.” 
-Robert DeNiro

When I’m planning a trip like this, I love to book a wide variety of accommodations. One of our goals was to really embrace the land, the people, the culture – to get the full Irish experience, and so we stayed everywhere, from hotels to cottages, from castles to rooms above pubs. Here is a list, and some short reviews, of all the places we laid our heads – the good, the great, and the not so much!

“Laughter is brightest where food is best”
-Irish proverb

One of the great things about traveling is experiencing the local customs, and the cuisine! Ireland focuses on quality, locally sourced ingredients, and you can taste the difference. Seafood is in abundance, and their meat and dairy are first class. We came home with many new favorites and have incorporated a few recipes into the cooking rotation. I also buy Irish butter and cheese now whenever I can! Here is a little guide for eating out in Ireland, and a few recommendations…