Tag: Ireland

Ireland in a Week

Sheep graze outside Ross Errilly Friary, located between Cong and Galway, Ireland. Photo credit: M. Ciavardini.

Make a Plan and Get to the Must-Sees Long a do-it-yourselfer when it comes to traveling, I am a bit overwhelmed trying to put together an itinerary for a week-long stay in Ireland. So many castles, bluffs, beer tours. Sifting…

Galway Getaway

The Trapper's Inn in Galway, Ireland serves as the perfect retreat for a Guinness on a rainy day. Photo credit: M. Ciavardini

Using Galway as a Base for Daytrips Our time in Galway is limited—we will use the place as a base, a place to sleep and keep our gear while we explore nearby Cong. Staying at Flannery’s Hotel, we take a…

Encountering the Titanic in Athlone

Passengers on the Titanic included a family headed by a single mom from Athlone.

Remembering Margaret Rice and Her Five Sons As ambivalent as I might feel about disaster tourism—is it really okay to go and look?—I am still drawn to all things Titanic. Of course, I loved the James Cameron movie, reenacted actor…

Finding the Oldest Bar in Ireland

A series of unfortunate events lead us to the oldest bar in Ireland, which dates to the year 900 A.D. and possibly earlier. Athlone Castle is younger. Photo credit: M. Ciavardini

A Visit to Sean’s Bar in Athlone A series of unfortunate events lead us to Sean’s Bar in Athlone. Driving from Galway back to Dublin but willing to take detours should we see a reason to frolic and detour, we…

Cong Beyond The Quiet Man

The Quiet Man Museum in Cong celebrates the John Wayne movie of the same name. Photo credit: M. Ciavardini

If you are not into the film, should you bother visiting Cong? As robust as one’s Netflix account might be, some of us just are not big fans of The Quiet Man, the John Ford-John Wayne-Maureen O’Hara film about a…

The Mysticism of Ross Errilly Friary

Driving from Cong to Galway, two visitors spot what looks like a castle in the distance, one that does not appear in any of their guidebooks. They decide to investigate. Photo credit: M. Ciavardini

Finding Ireland in a Frolic and Detour Returning to Galway from a day trip to Cong (where The Quiet Man, starring John Wayne, was filmed), we cannot help but notice in the distance what appears to be a very big…

Cruising Killarney

If you can, leave the rental car in the parking lot when visiting Killarney. It is a very walkable town. Photo credit: M. Ciavardini

A Walkable Way to Understand Ireland It takes a while for us to figure out that the way to enjoy Ireland is to wander it. Set out with a destination in mind, sure, but allow time to meander when you…

Sign of the Day: Inner Relief Road

Do otherworldly forces guide tourists on Inner Relief Road, which was opened in 2000 by a minister of the environment and local governance? Photo credit: M. Ciavardini

Killarney, Ireland’s Street with Promise   So many things can be hoped for on a road named Inner Relief; surely a tourist who finds this spot in Killarney, Ireland is on the right path. —Lori Tripoli ~Advertisement~ ~Advertisement~ Planning a…

Romance at the Dromhall Hotel

A grand sweeping staircase pretty much guarantees a traveler will enjoy her stay. Here, the lobby of the Dromhall Hotel in Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland. Photo credit: M. Ciavardini

A Bit of Old-Fashioned Bliss in Killarney Every now and then, a place actually looks like it might, like the vision you might have in your head: This is Ireland. This is Killarney. This most definitely is the Dromhall Hotel.…