Danube River cruise with a pre-trip to Ireland

[calypso726]

After driving around The Ring of Kerry we had a visit at The Muckross House which is a Downton Abbey style home. Unfortunately we were not allowed to take pictures inside but I did snap a few shots on the grounds.







We are checked into the Muckross Park Hotel and Spa for this evening. The hotel is nice and the room is lovely. we will be heading for dinner later this evening at the nearby pub. I'll report back.

 

[Cousin Orville]

Beautiful photos. What did you think of the Ring of Kerry? That's the one place I wanted to go that ABD doesn't do which surprises me given how highly rated it is. My plan one day is fly into Shannon and just spend a week or so around the west coast.

 

[calypso726]

Beautiful photos. What did you think of the Ring of Kerry? That's the one place I wanted to go that ABD doesn't do which surprises me given how highly rated it is. My plan one day is fly into Shannon and just spend a week or so around the west coast.

Thank you! I thought it was lovely and I was glad we were able to do it. That said, it takes up the whole day and if the weather doesn't cooperate then you won't get the beautiful views or great pictures. The area is just beautiful. I am glad we did it today as I just found out the whole Ring of Kerry is closed tomorrow for a charity cycling event. I think Tauck must do it or part of it. I've seen their bus the last few days of my trip. They were at Blarney Castle, staying at Hayfield Manor and today I say their bus while our driver was taking us around the Ring.

 

[Bobo912]

When we were in Kerry with ABD, several people asked "you'll be seeing the Ring of Kerry tomorrow?". And when I told them our tour didn't include the Ring of Kerry, every one of them looked at me with an expression of pity. Certainly made me feel like I had made a terrible mistake.

 

[calypso726]

When we were in Kerry with ABD, several people asked "you'll be seeing the Ring of Kerry tomorrow?". And when I told them our tour didn't include the Ring of Kerry, every one of them looked at me with an expression of pity. Certainly made me feel like I had made a terrible mistake.[/QUOnTE]

This was why I added it to my itinerary. I basically copied what ABD does with some modifications. I took each thing they had on the list and then went on the TripAdvisor Ireland forum to investigate the "must do's." Ring of Kerry and Cliffs of Moher kept coming up. So, I added it to the list. The tour company I chose was really great about making my itinerary happen. I like our driver/guide. He's funny, knowledgeable and easy going. I do miss having others people to travel with and talk to like on an ABD trip. However, it is also nice that since it's just DH and me we can spend as little or as much time we want at a location.

Cramming everything I wanted to do into 6 1/2 days was challenging though. We've been in a different hotel/manor house each night. I'm looking forward to two nights at Ashford Castle though. Tomorrow night we are at Dromoland Castle, so I am excited about staying there!

 

[calypso726]

Just had dinner at Jarvey's Rest next to the Muckross Hotel and Spa. The service was really slow even by European standards. The seafood chowder was savory and wonderful. I told DH that I thought his fish and chips and my salmon were likely boiled in toilet water. He said that they would have tasted better if that were the case. #badchoices #ineedatardis

 

[sayhello]

That photo of you on the stairs is lovely!!

Sayhello

 

[mare1203]

Loving your trip report so far! The pictures are breathtaking and the tour you've put together seems first rate! Never been to Ireland, but I've read a couple trip reports and have some friends who have been (on their own, sans tour group), and all have raved about it. Your report is certainly keeping Ireland high on my 'must-do' list. Looks like you're having a great time. Looking forward to more and hearing all about the River Cruise! Seems like it's a "who's who" of "famous ABD guides" for the trip! I swear one day I'll have Jennae as a guide and she'll be frightened because I'll fangirl over actually meeting her, haha!

 

[calypso726]

Today we went to see the Cliffs of Moher. Just gorgeous!!! Then we stopped at one of Ireland's first stone churches founded in 560 AD that still has ancient Celtic crosses. From there we made a stop at a spot, Poulnabrone that had a classic portal tomb. I have a penchant for anything that even vaguely resembles a standing stone. We stopped for lunch in Lisdoonarvna which is known for their matchmaking festival every September. People come from all around the world and many wind up staying together after the matchmaker hooks them up. From there we headed to Dromoland Castle which is just BEAUTIFUL!!!! ABD left here this morning and Tauck is here now. I thoroughly enjoyed my Hawk Walk and am headed to the Medieval Banquet. will post more pics later.

 

[Aulika]

Thank you Calypso726 ! What a wonderfull trip report

 

[calypso726]

 

[calypso726]

 

[Cousin Orville]

Memories... Dromoland is a place I'd love to go again.

 

[calypso726]

Today we left Dromoland Castle and made our way to Ashford Castle n a round about way. The initial plan was to hike the path St. Patrick took but I have an recent injury to my hip/leg and didn't want to exacerbate the issue. If I have to chance the pain I'll do it for the falconry walk we have scheduled tomorrow at Ashford. Therefore, we had no real plan today and our driver suggested seeing the Kylemore Abbey. As we were making our way there the driver noticed a sign for Brigit's Garden. I like the story of Brigid, Celtic Pagan Goddess that was so revered by the Irish that she was incorporated in Christianity and is one of the patron Saints of Ireland. So, every time we spot something about Brigid, we stop to check it out. We had found a few places on this trip that were dedicated to Saint Brigid. I had asked if he knew of anything dedicated to the Celtic deity Brigid but had not heard of or seen anything like that. That is, until today. I always say ask and the universe will deliver. So we we followed this road to Brigit's Garden which is a Celtic garden sanctuary in Galway and had a lovely time exploring it.

 

[calypso726]

Kylemore Abbey and Gothic church. A Benedictine monastery founded for the nuns who fled WWI.








Ok, so DH and I were totally seeing Hidden Mickeys all over this church!

 

[calypso726]

Now I thought Dromoland Castle was pretty amazing and was thinking one day I will have to come back and spend some more time just enjoying the castle and grounds. We checked into Ashford Castle today and it makes Dromoland Castle feel like Motel 6 in comparison. It isn't that Dromoland is at all bad in any way. Like I said, after only one night I was thinking of coming back and enjoying a longer stay. It's simply that Ashford Castle is that much more WOW! I am just stunned over how beautiful this place is! I understand several million Euro were spent in renovations. There is AC too which we did not have at Dromoland and everything looks so plush and new. Their tech incorporations into the renovations are simply fabulous and the service has been outstanding! We were also upgraded upon arrival which was a nice surprise! Oh and in the room there is a lovely decanter with complimentary sherry. How awesome is that!

We had dinner at Wilde's at the Lodge this evening which is located at their sister property on the grounds. It is a short walk away or you can have the castle give you a complimentary transport in a Land Rover. The food and service was outstanding. The bartender, Sebastian is a gem! Best. Mixologist. Ever. I will normally have one drink or one glass of wine when out to dinner. I had THREE of his creations. This man convinced me to drink something with gin. I can't stand gin! The drink was amazing and I would have never known there was gin in it had he not told me. Then I tried another of his creations which was probably the best cocktail I've ever had!

 

[calypso726]

Memories... Dromoland is a place I'd love to go again.

Me too, but I may actually cry when I have to leave Ashford Castle.

 

[distravel]

So happy that you are doing another trip report! Your Scotland trip report was the inspiration for our vacation last year and also introduced me to the Outlander books. Loving your beautiful photos. Ireland looks gorgeous and is definitely on the travel wishlist. How did you find drivers in Ireland?

Also looking forward to the report on Disney's inaugural river cruise.

Enjoy the rest of your trip!

 

[calypso726]

So happy that you are doing another trip report! Your Scotland trip report was the inspiration for our vacation last year and also introduced me to the Outlander books. Loving your beautiful photos. Ireland looks gorgeous and is definitely on the travel wishlist. How did you find drivers in Ireland?

Also looking forward to the report on Disney's inaugural river cruise.

Enjoy the rest of your trip!

Thank you! Ireland is stunning and we will be coming back if only to stay and spend time at Ashford Castle. Is like to do Northern Ireland as well.
Neither DH nor I wanted to drive on the left side of the road while sitting on the right side of the car. So, I searched for tour companies in Ireland that offered private custom tours. I contacted about 10 of them and sent my dates, itinerary wish list and went from there.

I will be starting part two of this trip report in a couple of days. I'm sad that our Iteland trip is coming to a close but still excited that our vacation is not. I am looking forward to the inaugural river cruise!

 

[calypso726]

At Ashford Castle we were able to fly two hawks together. I had the alpha female, 16 year old Rua, who is also the dominant bird of the flock. DH had the alpha male who is 17 years old. Afterwards we were also allowed to fly Dingle, the giant eagle owl. It was a blast. After our falcon walk we took a drive over to see the Sky Road. The views are stunning if the sun is out. Later that evening we had dinner at George V which is the high end restaurant at the castle. I will say that food at George V and Wilde's were both great and we'd happily dine at either again.

Today we checked out of the castle and we have already made tentative plans to come back and stay for an extended time. We'd like to check out Northern Ireland first, then make our way to see the Aran Islands and then spend at least a week at Ashford Castle. As we made our way back to Dublin, we stopped to see Trim Castle which was where Braveheart was filmed. Then we visited Newgrange. There we saw the 5,000 year old Neolithic portal tomb and were able to check off another Unesco World Heritage site on our list. We also visited the Boyne Battlefield. The battle which took place in 1690 between James II and William III and shaped the future of England and Ireland.













Tomorrow, I will begin part two of this trip report. Thanks for following along.