All Aboard the Paddywagon

The Paddywagon was one of my favorite spur of the moment ideas while in Ireland. We decided to take a tour throughout the southwest of Ireland: Limerick, Galway Bay, Cliffs of Moher, Bunratty Castle and the Burren.

Our beautiful chariot

We managed to hit all four season in one day. It started out crisp and clear like a fall morning in Limerick, then quickly turned to nickel size sleet pelting the paddywagon as we wound our way through the country roads to Galway Bay and the Cliffs of Moher. Once we arrived at the Cliffs it was windy beyond belief, but that didn't stop us. The sleet we encountered a mere two hours earlier had turned into a warm rain as we drove to the quiet coast for a photo break. Mr Sunshine and  joined us for the afternoon in the fairytale town of Doolin, but retreated behind more storm clouds at Bunratty Castle. Who would have guessed Ohio weather would follow me to The Emerald Isle!?

morning glow, first stop: Limerick

Limerick is apparently the most dangerous city in Ireland- great, Irish gang wars- so we didn't stay long. The girls had what they believed to be the most delicious scones while we admired Arthur's Quay and Limerick Castle. I regret not trying one, but after-all  I am my mother's daughter, which means it's allll about the view.

Our guide spent the next hour on the bus explaining the game of hurling, and the difference between the other national sports, Gaelic football  and rugby. Apparently the three 'types' of players do not like to be confused. 

Galway Bay and The Cliffs of Moher were by far my favorite part of the trip. These cliffs are absolutely STUNNING. I'm not sure why there were not voted in the new seven natural wonders of the world. The Princess Bride, Harry Potter and the Half Blooded Prince, and Leap Year all had the right idea coming here to film, I'd want to mix work and play here too. Pictures will not do it justice, but I'll try.

Looking Left

Looking Right

We went through the museum there as well and like the total nerd I am, I enjoyed the interactive parts and documentary videos. Maybe I'm just missing the classroom, but I doubt it.

Next stop was a clearing of moss covered rocks on one side, penny walls as far as the eye can see - did you know (this one's for you dad) that penny walls are named for the pennies a day people were payed to construct these walls during the Potato Famine. They served no real purpose at the time, except to give the people something to do and a means of income to survive. In some cases they are used to separate property lines, but for the most part they just add to the Irish landscape- and waves crashing against towering cliffs that separated in to what felt like a life size game of 'don't touch the lava' hopping across stepping stones with plunging clefts in between. 

climbing/crab walking my way
 to the edge

breathtaking

Doolin is a small town where we had lunch. It's renowned worldwide for it's wealth of Irish Traditional Music. Another random fact: Doolin Banjos/Deuling banjos, sound familiar? Thank you Doolin, Clare County, Ireland. 

Polunabrone Dolmen- The Burren

Bunratty Castle and The Burren were two places I had never heard of until that day. The first one is an abandoned castle that has been turned in to a tourist village and museum. The latter is the smallest national park in Ireland (15km2). There are more than 90 megalithic tombs in the area, portal dolmens (like Polunabrone Dolmen), a celtic high cross, and a number of ring forts. One of the coolest parts about Polunabrone, the mass grave site for over 20 adults and 6 children, was that it consisted of nothing more than a rope encircling it and cows roaming all around the limestone rocks right next to it.

This pretty much raps up my time in Ireland. Thanks again Mo for showing me around your new home away from home! Good Luck and enjoy the next 6 months. We'll meet up at Flanagens when we get back to UD and reminisce about the real Irish pubs :)

Next up: London..... with KATE !