Travel Guide: Ireland
Full disclosure, this is an abbreviated travel guide. A Travel Guide Express, if you will. My trip was only about a week, so I plan on returning soon. If a week is all you have, I highly recommend using my itinerary. I saw so much of this country, visited old friends, and ate spectacular food. November is an amazing time to go if you also enjoy cozy rainy days bundled up at the fire. The weather was unpredictable, but it didn’t take away from any of my experiences—in many cases it gave everything a magical storybook mood.
Because of such conditions, many places I visited were quiet and sparsely populated. Some businesses were even closed for the season. I particularly enjoyed the solitude.
All of these spots (and more) are available here.
Dublin
National Gallery of Ireland
The Book of Kells
National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology
St Stephen’s Green - Go walk around before sunset, exit towards the north and walk up Grafton street. Shop, people watch, and enjoy the buskers.
BIGFAN - Dark and trendy Chinese restaurant with a ton of amazing cocktails.
Las Tapas De Lola - Delicious Spanish tapas, super affordable wines, and a great location for after-dinner drinks.
Galway
Bookeen Hall - This Airbnb was spectacular. Bookeen Hall is a 200-year-old renovated chapel about 20 minutes outside of Galway. The hosts make a fabulous cozy breakfast, and their two dogs were the highlight of my whole trip.
Fairhill Coffee
Ard Bia at Nimmos - I found this restaurant through the Michelin guide, but my Airbnb host recommended it before he knew I had a reservation already. The food and wine here was phenomenal, I cannot wait to go back.
Cliffs of Moher
Cliffs of Moher - Even on a cloudy day, this spot was spectacular. My Airbnb host gave me a recommended route, where I passed ruins and quaint towns. The trick is to stay along the coast—even if it takes a bit longer.
Dunguaire Castle
Aran Islands
Killarney
Tig Leaca Ban - Another perfect Airbnb. I will definitely stay here again next time.
Ring of Kerry - I’ve heard you can do the drive in a day, but I would recommend at least two full days and nights to see the bare minimum. I didn’t get to do the whole ring, but I am so glad I rented a car and had the flexibility to stop and savor the parts I did see.
Gap of Dunloe
Skellig Michael
Dingle - I didn’t make it to Dingle but my friends in Dublin would be disappointed in me if I left it out.
The Naked Sheep - My hike, “Alpaca Trekking Through A Magical Forest,” got cancelled en route but the host messaged me to come anyway. This was one of the highlights of my trip, we got to feed the Alpacas once the rain and hail cleared and got an abbreviated tour of the shop.
