1. Irish Coast Bar None, Gorgeous!

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The Glens: GlenArm, Glenariff, Carnlough, BallyGally (my favorite town name!)  The Valley of the Antrim area and Glenariff Forest Park rolls down to the ocean to these cute cute harbor towns. GORGEOUS stunning hillsides dotted with sheep are exactly the ideas of Ireland you think you know and expect to see. The Cliffs of Maor are incredible and it becomes obvious why it was named the Emerald Isle!  Super cute tiny towns, gorgeous water and the most stunning green hillsides.  lots of cute B&Bs along the coast.   Although we didn’t get to do the Park it sounded wonderful.

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The Giant’s Causeway has so many myth’s attached to the area it is mind boggling, the Irish love to tell tall tales, ha ha.  It is actual Basalt columns.  Very cool to see.

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2.  Hamlets and Villages – Quaint and Lovely!

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Kilkenny is a quintessential Irish Town, Very CoolIMG_5878

The Oldest Pub in Ireland!IMG_5594 IMG_5578 IMG_5580

Kinsale was lovelyIMG_5862 IMG_5867

Cong, Where the Duke of Hollywood filmed The Quiet Man with Maureen Ohara, really incredibly beautiful.  Amazingly just a short walk from Ashford Castle!

3. Castles and Historic sites – Stunning, did we mention the Castles??

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Its worth all the hype and would love to stay there even at $500 starting rate! stunning.  you can hire a horse carriage to tour the grounds but walking is just fine and worth the entry fee.  we were given free access as it had been raining all day and sun came out just as we arrived! Scored 🙂   MUST go across the bridge and see the town where Quiet Man was shot: Cong. tiny tiny and cute cute

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Kilkenney Castle IMG_5617

Lindsmore Castle

IMG_5677Cahair Castle

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Doweth, TrespassingIMG_6020 IMG_6035 IMG_6081 IMG_5524

Cohb Cathedral, Titantic’s last portIMG_5756

4.  The PEOPLE – They Do seem to smile More!

IMG_5598   11181799_10155715872680408_6609005928104745694_oThe smiles come out even when they are only half!

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5.  Listening to Traditional music in Pubs When you can find it!

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Doolin

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Dublin IMG_6092

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When we found it, it was great but Very hard to find and quite disappointing actually because they start so late.  You have to be in a city after 9:30 at night if you want to catch it. No one seems to play during the day ever or even what we consider Happy Hour time frames, nothing before 8pm was the very earliest we found in one tiny town of Doolin.  All major cities is never before 9:30. Many pubs play American or UK music which was quite disappointing.  I love Rod Stewart of course, but in Ireland I want Irish ditties.

Beautiful as you can see, a definite Bucket List.  The big cities we weren’t as happy with as we were the coast and small towns.  10 days, 6 hotels and lots of miles, we saw ALOT.  Fun times had by all.