48. Week 48
On an island on the island of Ireland and a view from a tower.
When I wrote the list back in September 2023, a trip to Ireland was already likely. And if this post seems a bit more like a holiday journal, do forgive me. It’s been long time since I have travelled for more than a few days away, and over a decade since I have left the UK.
A combination of running your own business, juggling family committments and latterly chronic illness mean that holidays have been very disjointed for a long time.
My husband competes in powerlifting and the World Championships were going to be Limerick in August 2024. A very close friend moved to Ireland a few years ago, so I was prepared to make this trip work for me and we could combine the two.
At least, if nothing else, I thought I could tick off a visit to an island (number 15) and visit a European city (number 37).
I worry about the ecological impact of travelling, of flights and driving. But there is an also a part of me that knows that travel is good for the soul. There is a need to find a balance here.
Having not flown for a long time, I am still in shock from the busyness of the airport. Busyness as a word doesn’t even come close to encompassing it, maybe soullessness does. Of the endless shops after security, the hustle and bustle, the ‘sell sell sell’ of mindless consumption. There was at the same time, a seeming contradiction, with an emptiness to the airport. A bit like fast food, where after all the consuming you are left rather unsatisfied and still hungry.
The European city didn’t really happen. In the end we only drove through Limerick so I don’t think that counts as a visit. Later on the trip we visited Kilkenny, and despite being a beautiful city, I only had a quick walk through which I don’t think does it merit. So I’ll play one of my jokers here, and leave a European city until next year.
Ireland is wonderful, we had both only visited Dublin before and they were for stag weekends (yes, I’ve been on more stag weekends than hen nights - go figure that one!) So our experience had been more a tour of bars and clubs rather than the countryside.
We flew into Shannon, the green fields of the Emerald Isle, clearly obvious from the plane compared to the golden fields that waved us goodbye as we flew out of Stansted. Picking up a hire car we drove to Limerick and to the hotel for the competition which was on the on the outskirts of the city. We were based here for three days for the competition, so I didn't see much beyond the hotel. We did bring another gold medal home for the cabinet.
Then there was time for sightseeing. First we headed out to the West Coast, the Burren and the Cliffs of Moher and found an unexpected tower. It was raining, the wind was howling but thanks to the golf cart buggies I was able to see some of the views. And a very patient guide held up foot traffic so I could gently ease myself up and down the spiral staircase.
Another day we headed to Killarney. The scenery is breathtaking. I highly recommend. (Although do pack the insect repellent as the midges were something else!!)
A friend recommend taking a boat on the lake at Ross Castle, not the pleasure cruise but one of the smaller boats that go to Innisfallen island. This felt much more in the spirit of the visit to an island I had put on the list. We spent an incredibly peaceful afternoon crossing the lake and exploring the island.
Afterwards we took a jaunting car to the Gap of Dunlop, such an unbelievably tourist thing to do but such a wonderful experience. The views were stunning. Travelling by horse and cart transports us back in time, to something that was so common place for centuries. A connection to past times. Sometimes you just have to be the tourist.
All in all a wonderful trip. So much we didn’t see, Ireland we will be back.
Lovely memories, generously shared. We haven’t been back to Ireland together for a while. This sparked off some memories.