Here's my Ireland Top 10 and a bunch of photos that will make you want to go ASAP. I am not including very many words, in case you’ve had one too many pints.
1. Irish people
2. Watching a Hurling Match at the Bridge Bar in Portmagee: hanging out in a small town pub watching Hurling with the entire town is the best time you can have in Ireland.
3. Skellig Michael: puffins, beehive huts & lots & lots of steps
4. Kilmainham Gaol in Dublin: Where many leaders of Irish rebellions were imprisoned and executed. This is not happy place. Very moving.
5. Black Taxi Tour of Belfast: see the murals & the wall, and get great stories along the way.
6. Oysters at The Crown Bar in Belfast: not only does this beautiful pub have loads of history, I am pretty sure these were the best oysters I have ever had.
7. Full Irish: Do not skimp on breakfast! You did not come to Ireland to lose weight.
8. Driving... well for me, riding in the passenger seat and being scared s*#!less the whole time. But, if you don't do it you won't have the chance to get lost... and ask directions.
9. Sheep
10. Pubs
Read: How the Irish Saved Civilization
Now for the photos...
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| View from Portmagee |
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Skellig Michael: Beehive Huts |
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Skellig Michael |
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| Skellig Michael: Steps |
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Skellig Michael: Puffins! |
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Portmagee Port |
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Seanie our Capt. |
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Portmagee: The Bridge Bar |
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Valentia Island Homestead |
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Dingle Penn: Minard Castle |
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Lost! |
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Todd & the Skelligs |
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Valentia Island Sheep |
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| Valentia Island Sheep sheared |
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Valentia Island Sheep stack! |
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Valentia Island Sheep |
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Dingle Pub |
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Ring of Kerry: Hurling practice at the beach |
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Ring of Kerry: 3,000 year old ring fort (Staigue Fort) and goat |
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Ring of Kerry |
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Guinness Truck |
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Kilmainham Goal: cell door |
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Kilmainham Goal: cell door |
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Kilmainham Goal: the "new" part |
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Kilmainham Goal: spot where leaders of the Easter Uprising were executed |
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Dublin: Guinness Storehouse |
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Dublin: view from Guinness Storehouse |
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Dublin: The Brazen Head Pub (Dublin's oldest?) |
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Dublin: General Post Office. HQ for leaders of the Easter Uprising. |
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Gilroy's Guinness ad guy |
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Belfast: Black Taxi & Shankill Murals |
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Belfast: Shankill Mural of UDU UFF UDA |
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Belfast: Peace Wall |
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Belfast: Peace Wall and the back"yards" that are next to it |
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Belfast: Falls Road Mural of Bobby Sands |
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The Crown Bar: Entrance |
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The Crown Bar: View from our snug |
