For part of our trip to Ireland in July we stayed at a lovely little B&B in County Clare. We took many day trips in all directions from a village called Tulla. On one of our trips back to our base we passed through the town of Quin and came across the Abbey there. It was a charming quiet and peaceful scene with locals walking their dogs. We had to pull over and have a look.
We continued down the road following a sign that said Knappogue Castle and Walled Gardens. This led us to a lovely restored castle and gardens used for events. One could certainly imagine weddings, parties, or work events in this lovely venue surrounded by rolling green hills, cattle, and horses.
This is the real and rural and lovely Ireland that you will not find in your guidebooks. You must drive or walk or explore and you will be rewarded every time in this magnificent country.
For more Irish musings please click here…
I would love to do this! I am so chicken to drive in Ireland, though, sigh. I feel like I couldn’t get used to the other side of the car/road thing…
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You can do it. I thought the same thing and it is surprising just how easy one gets used to it. The worst part is getting out of the airport and its easy from there. You definitely have to think a little harder whenever you turn but your mind makes due pretty fast. I was a little confused going around round-a-bouts when I got home though. Couldn’t remember which way to go in to them.
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Really? Ok. I’ll keep this in mind and be brave the next time the opportunity presents itself…:)
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You will be so proud of yourself! Just avoid downtown London or downtown Dublin to start…
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Ha! Ok. 🙂 Thanks for the tips…;)
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Thanks 🙂
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Driving on the left is the only correct way to drive!
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Says you!
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Touché!
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Looks amazing there!
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Thank you. It was a really pretty afternoon/evening to stumble upon this area.
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Its the unexpected moments that really jump out and grab us. Nice find.
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A lovely post about a great part of Ireland.
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I missed that as we drove from Galway to Kilrush along the alternative coast road.
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It’s a bit off the beaten path. There is a lot to see in the area. I just feel fortunate that we happen to stay in the area and had to opportunity to check it out. Wouldn’t necessarily recommend it as a place to stop instead of some of the other more important sites. But, it was peaceful and pretty.
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I will remember your advice!
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Stunning – I love it when a place has a mixture of beautiful nature and history 🙂
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Good to hear from you Indah. I hope you are coping in the cold ok.
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It is getting warmer in Minneapolis 🙂 No complaints on the mild winter we had!
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When is your next trip?
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I will leave this week 🙂 Excited to see Costa Rica – oh, we are going to rent a car in the end, now with google maps 😀 !
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Perfect! Have a wonderful time. I have recently heard about a sloth sanctuary near Cahuita you should check out if you are in to sloths. It seems like they do good interesting work there on unusual animals! (Sloths.)
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Each time I see another of your posts from Ireland I am even more keen to go. Such history? Such scenery. Sigh! Wanderlust is hitting me and I am just home from a trip. I shall blame it on you. 🙂
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I can understand that for sure! I feel that way every day. 😉
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Hiking seems like a gorgeous way to explore all that green! Any favorite trails you tried while you were there?
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Haven’t hiked much other that the Wicklow Way which is magnificent! Check it out.
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Great photos! Visiting Great Britain is on my bucket list. I just love the castle. Maybe I will haunt it when my bucket list is no longer necessary 🙂
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Sounds like an excellent plan. I’ll meet you there!
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