Friday October 12th, 2007
There is no much to say about this day. We landed at 23.30 and after renting the car, we went to the hotel. Brief walk up to Stephen’s Green and then to sleep.
Saturday October 13th, 2007
Today visit Dublin: Stephen’s Green, Grafton Street, Trinity College (the inside I was a little disappointed, I was expecting to see something more, but apart from the Book of Kells, you may only see the beautiful library).
Then we went to the castle, but unfortunately we could not see it inside because there was a government meeting. From there we went to St. Patrick’s Church (it seems we were on a wrong day, we didn’t see this church inside because it was a graduation day, but we saw the new graduates with toga and hat as you see in the movies), the library which is located on the back of the church (a little hidden, but worth seeing).
Then Christ Church Cathedral, we saw it inside (the crypt). Then we went to the river bank, walking in some pedestrian streets in order to get on O’Connell Street. Before returning to the hotel we stopped at Carroll’s for purchasing souvenirs. With the car we went to Howth, a typical village not far from Dublin. The cloudy sky gave way to the last rays of sun and this allowed us to see the harbor area with a splendid view of the sunset.
Sunday October 14th, 2007
We stand up early because today our goal are the Cliffs of Moher (270 km far from Dublin). Near Galway we decided to avoid the city and chose to make the coastal road.
The road is very nice, although a bit close. We stopped to admire the Dunguaire Castle in Kinvarra, which overlooks the bay, and then we crossed the town festival (the rugby team of Kinvarra is in a cup final – we did not understand which one). Shortly after we reached Black Head, a site that gives us a splendid anticipation of the Cliffs of Moher. Although more modest size, even in this area there are cliffs to the ocean. Far, shrouded by fog we can see Cliffs Of Moher.
There is hardly anyone around rocky bottom and so we can get closer to the edge without too many concerns. It is certainly a place outside the traditional tourist routes, but I strongly recommend it to everyone. Along the way we are surrounded by the ocean and the Burren with its arid and rocky hills. Then we come to the famous cliffs, the Cliffs of Moher, and we walk a lot, first the area protected by parapets and then without protections, but that offers spectacular views and breathtaking (unfortunately photos don’t make them as in reality).
The road to return to Dublin is a bit too long, so we decide to sleep in Galway. To return we decide to follow the internal road through the Burren. Unfortunately it is late and I am driving, so I don’t stop on the road and I cannot take any photo (landscape is very particular). Before and after dinner we walk a bit on the streets and to the port, although now it is dark.
Monday October 15th, 2007
We wake up with the rain.
Despite the time, we decide to stop to see two places before returning to Dublin: Turoe Stone and Clonmacnoise. The Turoe Stone is close to Loughrea. It is a very ancient stone (dating back to the II century BC), about 1 mt high, with some runes. The stone is located inside a structure to protect it. It is closed and there is nobody around. We see it through the door glass. Let the stone and the fields that surround it, back on the main street to reach Clonmacnoise.
The monastery of Clonmacnoise is one of the most important of Ireland. Founded in 545 by St. Ciaran, there are numerous crosses and buildings, on a handle on the Shannon. After the visit, we return to Dublin, in time to see the Guinness storehouse (I don’t like beer, so I don’t appreciate particularly the visit, costs 14 euros and there is not much to see). At the airport by car, we leave Ireland and return to Italy.
