The first day out we went to the Dunbrody Famine Ship. This is a replica of a ship that would have been used to migrate to America, Australia, and other parts of Europe. Families would leave Ireland because of the famine and sought out better life in America. In the time of the famine there were over a million people that left Ireland. The ship, during this time, would hold up to 300 people and almost half of them wouldn't make the six week journey. After the ship we traveled to Blarney Castle. There is a rumor that if you kiss the Blarney Stone you will receive the gift of gab. So I kissed it. It wan't anything special and a lot of us were confused why it is so famous. We stayed the night in Killarney and went out to the pubs for live music that night.
Day two: We were not able to get out to Skellig Michel, but instead we drove around the Ring of Kerry and part of Dunloe. In the Afternoon we took a fishing boat, a 1.5 hours trip, out to Dunloe Gap. We then hiked 5 miles through the gap to get to the bus. It rained on us while hiking, but the sight was worth it!
Day three: Best day ever! We drove to Inch beach and just had a fun afternoon there. We played rugby out on the beach, and got bruised up! But with almost everyone playing, it was a lot of fun! We then all lined up and took a dip in the ocean, so cold. But there was going to be a dare to whoever broke the chain first. When the first wave hit us, I fell right into the water, but Dan and Kathryn did not yet go of me, thank goodness! After that we have a great lunch cook out on the beach. The bus drove out onto the beach for the set up of lunch, but then it got stuck in the sand. We have a grand time pushing the bus off the beach. Then, we traveled along the Dingle Peninsula and saw amazing sights! I loved all the cliffs, the ocean, and the farm lands all in one place. So beautiful!
Day four: Off to Galway! Today we went to the Cliffs of Moher (Cliffs of Insanity). It was so beautiful, but very touristy. I met someone from Indianapolis, actually. We spent some time there and then drove through Burren. This is a national park where the land is filled with limestone. We made our way to Galway to the hotel and we all went out to dinner together at Da Roberta's. It was the best dinner I've have had in a while. It totally makes up for all the packed lunches we have eaten.
Day Five: The Aran Islands! We spent the whole day out in the Aran Islands. We rented bikes when we arrived and traveled the 9 mile Island. We stopped off by the Dun Angus Cliffs and I was able to lean off the cliff and look down at the wave. It was so cool to see the waves from above. I could have stayed there all day. But the boys wanted to keep biking. We found this road that looked liked it went off roading. Well, it did. Once we got to the top of the hill or they call mountain, the road to the bottom was all gravel. I thought I was going to die riding my bike down this road going at the speeds that I was going. I did almost fall off the bike but lucky I didn't. Sorry mom :) The weather was beautiful, God was so great to us! It was another perfect and long tiring day!
Day six: Well today was just a bunch of driving. We had a 5 hour bus ride back home to Greystones. We had lunch on sky road, where you could look down on the sea and farm lands.
This trip by far has been the best so far! It was a very long trip and we did a lot of outdoors activities. The joke was that our legs would be looking really good after this trip. It is crazy to think that I have two and a half weeks left in Ireland. I know I will miss it. But I still have a lot of time to soak it all in!
The Blarney Stone
Cliffs of Moher
