This travel content precedes my blog, however, since I haven’t traveled much in 2020-2021, I am eager to share content and wanted to write about my amazing road trip in Ireland summer of 2018. A work conference brought me to Dublin and I decided to stick around another week and make a road trip out of Ireland. Thanks to Game of Thrones and our love of nature, me and the hubby wanted to tour around Ireland and Northern Ireland.

When planning ahead, one of my favorite things to do is look at popular Airbnb gems and cross reference that with sightseeing locations we were looking to travel to. I did a little bit of research around road trip routes for Ireland and here was one that inspired my travels. Below is the list of locations we built our road trip around, organized from East to Northern Ireland and finally ended South:

1. Dublin
2. Dark Hedges– we were too tired of driving and skipped this trip
3. Wicklow National Park– fell in love with this park in P.S. I Love You. Didn’t get to go :,(
4. Cliffs of Moher
5. Northern Ireland
   • Belfast
   • Carrick-a-Rede Bridge
   • Giant’s Causeway
6. Kerry County – I picked this spot mainly because I found the cutest quaint Airbnb in the mountains
   • Muckross House Gardens
   • Killarney National Park: Torc Waterfall
   • Pancakes at the Strawberry Field- I am a breakfast gal all the way and couldn’t unsee this popular location

I also went ahead and saved some of my travel inspo’s and finds while in Ireland via my Tripadvisor app. I like to view popular spots people visit and like to eat on Tripadvisor to help shape some of my travel experiences. Finally as a word of caution, I didn’t do any research on renting a car in Ireland and found a sweet deal on a third party app. Once we got there, I learned about Irelands premium insurance prices and all I could say is it wasn’t a sweet deal after all. Don’t be me like me- if I had done some more research around this maybe I wouldn’t have been so in shock and underprepared but, at this point, I lowkey just want to forget this distant memory at this point in my life and do better next time!

OK time to (re)forget my rental car woes and enjoy some of the views we captured in beautiful Ireland!

Dublin

Such a lively city full with many street musicians, yummy food, pubs galore, and historical sights to see. We visited the Dublin Zoo, National Botanic Gardens, and, honestly, probably ate our way through Dublin most. We got around the city via their double decker buses. It wasn’t too difficult navigating the city and we generally always felt safe. While I was at the conference, my husband was welcomed by the locals where he played pick-up soccer near UCD. Outside of the conference times we ventured out to eat before and after work hours.

North Ireland – UK Baby, Yeahhh!

Belfast, Carrick-a-Rede Bridge, and Giant’s Causeway trip

You’ll have to forgive me the twerking but after that long drive from Dublin, we arrived to Belfast at some ungodly hour only to wake up early the next day and drive up to Carrick-a-Rede Bridge and Giant’s Causeway. We stopped by a nearby coffee shop, which always hits the spot first thing in the morning before the city wakes up. In hindsight, I would have stayed longer here and, instead of driving to Giant’s Causeway and Carrick-a-Rede, I would have explored booking a day trip with a company and explored more of Belfast and their history. Once we finished sightseeing we had to rush over once again to our next Airbnb to Londonderry to sleep.

Clare County – Cliffs of Moher

After a full rest in Londonderry we hit the road for an 8-hour drive to Galway to eat lunch. We were obsessed, and still are, with Galway oysters in Dublin so we had to stop by Galway to grub on seafood at Hooked. Till this day, my husband cannot stop talking about the churros at Hooked and I am not over Galway Oysters!

Our Airbnb host lived up to her “gem” status on Airbnb. I wouldn’t hesitate visiting the west coast of Ireland again and, this time, stay here a little longer. In the short time there, we learned so much about the area and felt right at home. The views all around were breathtaking and hike down the Wild Atlantic Way did not feel strenuous. Visiting Cliffs of Moher might win as the highlight of our trip. I just don’t know if oceanside-cliff views will ever get old, honestly. If you know of more go-to places- please do me a favor and drop suggestions in the comments!

Kerry County

We stayed in Kenmare and it quickly became the remote getaway I needed. I felt like I was surrounded by mountains, lakes, waterfalls, and beautiful greenery everywhere. I loved seeing the sheep walking along the roadways, minimal cell reception, and rescue horse and pony found on the property.

Thanks for joining me through memory lane across beautiful Ireland. If you have been or are planning a trip to Ireland, let me know in the comments what you’re looking forward to see or what enjoyed while there. I would probably go again if I could!