Research & Pics from my trip to Ireland
Even though my book is set in Scotland, I would feel remiss if I didn't also showcase Ireland as it was my first foray into international territory and is absolutely gorgeous and wondrous in its own right.
Dave Hogan - Ireland doesn't have an extensive public transportation system so you either have to drive yourself(and miss out on the scenery as you attempt to navigate unfamiliar, narrow roads), take a bus tour with a bunch of strangers and no flexibility, or hire someone to drive you. Dave has a wicked sense of humor, he fit in and felt like one of the family. If you want to visit Ireland, there's no one better to show you around. (Dave's Blog)
Places You Don't Want to Miss
-- Corcomroe Abbey
-- Poulnobrone Dolmen
-- Beehive Huts
-- Slea Head
-- The Puck Festival
-- Siamsa Tire - Not a place, but a performing group who put on an AMAZING show
-- Blarney Castle
-- Dublin Castle
-- Muckross House
-- Cliffs of Mohr
-- Ashford Castle
-- Torc Waterfalls
-- Kylemore Abbey
-- St. Patrick's Cathedral
-- Christ's Church
-- Poulnobrone Dolmen
-- Beehive Huts
-- Slea Head
-- The Puck Festival
-- Siamsa Tire - Not a place, but a performing group who put on an AMAZING show
-- Blarney Castle
-- Dublin Castle
-- Muckross House
-- Cliffs of Mohr
-- Ashford Castle
-- Torc Waterfalls
-- Kylemore Abbey
-- St. Patrick's Cathedral
-- Christ's Church
They had the most beautiful combinations of color, I loved their flowers
Cliffs of Mohr
Glacial ridges in the Burren
Poulnabrone Dolmen, an ancient megalithic tomb
Corcomroe Abbey, it was undergoing renovations when we visited but I would love to see the end result, what I saw through the netting was gorgeous
Ashford Castle, it's a hoity toity hotel at this point, but you can walk around the outside and that's still impressive
Kylemore Abbey, this was one of my favorite places in Ireland, it was so gorgeous
I love this tree and the way it seems to come out the top of the picture (a friend pointed that out to me and it's been my favorite pic ever since).
This was the path to Kylemore Church, it was drizzling as we walked and it couldn't have been more perfect
Signs in English and Gaelic
Sunset in Kinvara
Stained glass in one of the churches.
Ancient beehive hut in the Ring of Kerry
Slea Head
I could sit hear and watch the water lap against the rocks all day, and listen to the sound of the waves crashing... nirvana
Cute Shetland pony in someone's front yard
Queen Victoria pronounced Ladies View the most beautiful spot in all the kingdom... off with my head... I disagree. But it is pretty.
This is more like it... woods and waterfalls (Torc)
Muckross House, a sad story, a beautiful house
Irish Wolfhounds are soooooo cool. Huge, docile and spindly.
Me kissing the Blarny Stone... yep, that's how it's done, you lay down, reach back, look down at your impending doom and trust this guy to keep you from falling. I'm s-m-r-t smart.
I know the suspense was killing you - but I survived
Fountain in the garden of the most awesome B&B we stayed at (I'll have to look up the name, it's been a few years). The owner was so nice, I highly recommend it.
Just a pretty rosebud
Oh yeah... you saw them in Eurotrip... they're real people... they're real...
Trinity College where they keep the Book of Kells
St. Patricks
Chandelier in Dublin Castle... this thing weighs a ton (literally)
Stairs leading into a buried Viking city under Dublin Castle