We left Galway City for a drive through the Burren, where we could get some photos of the Aran Islands. The weather is amazing.

We stopped at the top of the Cliffs of Moher. It’s one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been. There’s a breeze, but it isn’t too bad. It was a wonderfully crisp, clear day, and we could see the Aran Islands. There were castle-like towers on one of the cliffs, called O’Brien’s towers.

After that we went on to County Kerry, Killarney Town. It is small and beautiful – just on the edge of a national park. I visited this great Cathedral that was 150 years old.

Tonight was really quite fun. We went out for cocktails at a bar, with cheap drinks and good music. Then we went over to a dance club. So fun!

The weather is quite nice – I’m in a 3/4 sleeve shirt and jeans today – sunny, and no rain coat necessary! Some went to the national park, but I’m already thinking about coming back to go to the Aran Islands, so I’ll just loop that in then. I wanted to stay and see a city in depth. I’m wandering around with a nice girl from Australia who’s also traveling on her own. I love it here. It’s so nice, and the people are great.  

We had a nice dinner at the hotel, then went to a great tavern called O’Conner’s. It was amazing. The place was very dark, and there were thousands of antiques – lamps and lanterns and pictures and knick-knacks all strewn about. And there was music! Celtic/Irish music, live band, with a bass and pipe and guitar and a great singer.

I feel so peaceful here.

Right now I’m sitting in the Guiness Storehouse. This morning I got a bit at breakfast, then we visited Kilmainham Gaol, a very old Dublin jail that housed many prisoners punished for fighting for independence. It was more history lesson than tour, but I enjoyed hearing about the history. Then we headed over to here, where we took a tour and got our free pint. We have about an hour before the bus leaves again for a four hour drive to Galway.

The afternoon was quite nice. I finagled a solo seat on the bus, so I got to nap, and generaly just take in the scenery.

Our hotel is great – not quite lush, but fair. And right across from the bay, so it’s very lovely. I’m sleeping with the window open so I can hear the water and smell the air.

I’ve found a couple of girls to hang out with – both Aussies. Tonight we went into Galway and got a good dinner at the Brown Basket, then took in dancing at King’s Head Pub. 

I found an internet cafe in a chinese restaurant on O’Connell street in Dublin! My flight out was great – they put me in the exit row, so I had yards of leg room. And they had little individual TVs at each seat. We stopped in Shannon, and were delayed about three hours because our connecting flight in Boston was late. But they gave us free breakfast, so I can’t complain. I got into Dublin airport around 11 AM, and grabbed the shuttle to the hotel. It’s a nice, clean place.  

The first dinner with the tour group was loads of fun. I overslept and was a bit late, but that’s no big deal. I sat with the bus driver Kitch and the guide Anna, as well as some others who just joined the tour. For the most part they seem quite nice and fun. A good mix – Canada, the states and Australia.