July 5, 2026 As our companions on the Gate 1 Tour returned home, we were on our own for a day in Dublin. We had booked a tour of The Book of Kells at Trinity College, so we purchased a Big Bus pass to make our way there and see more of Dublin. We began with a morning trip around the Big Bus Route. It was a live narration by the bus driver instead of the recorded track that we often hear on Hop On Hop Off Buses. Rosie Hackett Bridge The Kennedy's Bar, once Conway's, was a popu

July 4, 2026 We did a city tour of Dublin with Gate 1, visited the Epic Museum and then gathered for a farewell dinner for the Gate 1 group. We first stopped at the St. Patrick's Cathedral, the national cathedral of Ireland. It was founded in 1191, but mostly built in 1220. It has the tallest steeple in Ireland at 101 feet. It was built next to the well where St. Patrick is said to have baptized many Irish converts to Christianity in the 5th century. We were able to spend ti

July 3, 2026 We left Killarney in the morning, passing by the Franciscan Friary on our way out. Then we enjoyed a beautiful drive to County Cork. We stopped for a 2 to 3 hours at Blarney Castle. The highlight of Blarney Castle is to kiss the Blarney Stone which involves over 100 steps on a narrow winding staircase and then bending backwards to kiss the stone with help from supportive attendants (at least you no longer need to be hung by your feet). Brent and I already done it

July 2, 2026 From Killarney, we went around the Ring of Kerry. In Killorgin, they celebrate the Puck Fair, one of Ireland's oldest festivals. In this unique festival, they capture a wild mountain goat. The goat is then crowned king and reigns over the 3-day festival. This statue honors "King Puck". We stopped at the Red Fox Inn for some Irish Creme Coffee (I had hot chocolate.) This artisan with his donkey and little dog are a common site on this scenic spot. He makes St. Bri

July 1st, 2026 Today we left Galway and drove along the Wild Atlantic Way to Killarney. As we started out in Galway County, we saw a glimpse of Dunguaire Castle. The castle was originally built in the 1520 by the O'Hyne clan on the same strategic site as a 7th century fort. In 1924 it was restored by Senator Gogarty who used it as a meeting up for the great literary forces in the Celtic Revival. W.B. Yeats often visited, as well as other famous authors such as Lady Gregory a

June 30, 2026 We drove through the Connemara National Park on a day trip out of Galway to Kylemore Abbey. As we drove out of Galway, we crossed over the 200-year old Salmon Weir Bridge, giving us a good view of the newly-buily Salmon Weir Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge. We also passed by the Galway Cathedral with its distinctive copper dome. About half an hour outside of Galway, we visited the historic Ross Railroad Station, now a private home restored by the Joyce family who ma

June 29, 2026 We departed Northern Ireland today and made our way to Galway in Ireland. On the way, we stopped at Donegal Town, Sligo, and Knock. As we approached Donegal Town, we passed by St. Agatha's Church built from 1869 to 1871. Like many churches in Scotland and Ireland, there was a graveyard on the grounds so that people could be buried on holy ground. Donegal Town was our first stop for a weaving demonstration. Prominently displayed on the Diamond, the Four Masters m

May 2 to 3, 2023 There were two days at sea before we reached our last destination before crossing the Atlantic. On the first night, we enjoyed an Irish dinner at the Pinnacle. The first course was boxty - potato pancakes with caviar and aged cheddar cheese sauce and chive oil. Next, we enjoyed a carrot soup with a barley wafer and smoked honey foam. The fish course was fresh scallops in a whiskey and bacon bouillon. There was an Irish Coffee Granita to cleanse our palate. Th

May 1, 2023 We enjoyed the peaceful drive through the beautiful Cork countryside. We stopped at Charles Fort which was built in the 17th century and is one of Ireland's largest fortifications. It had amazing views. We also had fun poking around the colorful town of Kinsale. We had some time to enjoy an Irish scone. There was a vendor selling spoofy paintings of famous artists, including The Scream that we saw in Olso. We had time to explore Cobh when we returned and enjoy a d

April 30, 2023 "Captain William Congreve with his Son William" was Brent's favorite picture at the National Gallery in Dublin, the highpoint of his walk around the town. (It was a tour, and I was still coughing so I stayed back on the ship.) Brent had a pleasant walk around Dublin and enjoyed the unique architectural features. His favorite part of the tour was the National Gallery where he saw paintings depicting David and Goliath, Christ's miracle of the loaves and fishes, a