My last day in Ireland was spent walking the trails of Druid’s Glen while my parents played one final round of golf. The trail had its moments of beautiful isolation and I found myself memorizing the feel of crunching through wild green landscapes and hidden streams. I was already missing Ireland and we hadn’t even left. We … More Top 10 Photos of Ireland and Final Days
Imagine the ruins of an ancient monastic village nestled in the mountains. Imagine walking down a trail through majestic trees to a sprawling lake in the warm sunshine. Imagine cathedrals made of stone and made of wood, existing together in a glacial valley. Can you imagine? If you can’t, then I would recommend visiting Glendalough in Wicklow, Ireland. Despite … More Glendalough
After our brief time in Kilkenny, we continued south to our next destination, Mount Juliet Estate. As soon as we pulled up to the big white house on the hill overlooking a stream and green fields, I knew our time here would be special. For two days I switched between reading in a big chair overlooking … More Mount Juliet Estate: A little slice of heaven in the Irish countryside
It was hard to leave Taylor and Stephen behind in Dublin but I was beyond excited to explore southeast Ireland at last! We headed south to County Kilkenny where we would be spending the next couple of days. It was a rainy day and we were tired (or whatever you want to call it) from spending all afternoon at … More Down to Southeast Ireland: Kilkenny
After 6 glorious days exploring in and around Galway, it was time to leave our cozy condo in Salthill and drive to Dublin. Taylor and Stephen were headed back to Philadelphia while my parents and I were south-bound to a couple golf resorts. It was hard to leave this though…. However, after a couple hours drive to … More Lazy afternoons at The Guinness Storehouse
On our 6th day in Ireland we FINALLY experienced some real Irish weather! Hahaha. Thankfully both times I have visited Ireland it has been unusually sunny and warm. I even got horribly sunburnt on the Aran Islands! However this day was a classic rainy and dreary day that we spent in ancient ruins and castles … More Adare and Limerick, featuring cold and damp Irish castles
After such an amazing day in Cong (check this place out!), I was excited to return to the Cliffs of Moher and show my family this spectacular place. First stop on our drive to the cliffs was Dunguaire Castle, a 16th-century tower house open for tours and banquets in the evenings. Oh the things we do for tourists… … More Dunguaire Castle, Aillwee Caves and wild walks at the Cliffs of Moher
As soon as I found out I was headed back to Ireland, I immediately knew the places I wanted to revisit around Galway. Obviously I would take my family to some live Irish music in Galway, visit the Cliffs of Moher and bicycle around the Aran Islands (been there done that). But as for other ideas, my … More The Enchanted Forest and Castle of Cong
Have you ever been to a place that is so beautiful you cannot even comprehend its existence? A place that leaves you speechless? A place that makes you wonder about the people who live there and how this is their reality? The Aran Islands off the west coast of Ireland is one of those places for me. Imagine … More Biking the Aran Islands… Again!
I was just reading through my 2014 Year in Review and laughing at my concluding thoughts on what 2015 would bring. Boy oh boy I was so incredibly wrong! Like in your face wrong. “As for 2015, it will be the year of the wedding and the year of focusing on our life in China. It … More 2015: My Year in Review
Kirsten Captures 