Ireland

We all flew into Ireland (from Scotland) and headed to the southwest coast.  

We spent a gorgeous day bike riding around Killarney National Park.  The girls rode on the back of the bikes and enjoyed every second.

During our bike ride, we past the beautiful Muckross Monastery 

and lakes.

Afterwards, we stopped for the famous Murphy's ice cream.  The flavours are fantastic- sea salt, honeycomb carmel, butterscoth- but the prices are outrageous!

The next day, we drove around the ring of Kerry.  Beautiful views and quaint little towns.  The best part was veering off the beaten path and finding castle ruins and beautiful beaches.  

Waterville in the background.  Wonderful little town on the ring of Kerry that Charlie Chaplin would visit frequently.

At the very end of the day, Bryan got a little too close to the edge of the road and popped two of our rentals' tires. TWO!! Luckily, we stopped right next to a resort that had a playground and the girls were able to play while we waited for the tow truck.  We got new tires and headed back to our hotel.  Little did we know, the GPS took us through the Gap of Dunloe.  This twisted, cliffy road was not something my mother enjoyed at all, but it was so much fun driving down it.

Another day, we went to Dingle.  This is probably my favorite little town.  Colorful buildings, sailboats, awesome food, and one of the best little kid playgrounds.

This is the only dolphin we got to see in Dingle however, no Fungie!

We spent a very, very rainy day in Cork and Blarney castle.  I kissed the famous Blarney Stone.  Kate really wanted to do it as well, but there was an age limit.  The stone is quite a distance away and was actually very scary.  

Our drive to the Cliffs of Mohr was quite exciting.  Again, the GPS led us on a different path than we were expecting.  The road just kind of ended and we were at a dock.  Fortunately, it was a ferry port for vehicles and would be there to pick us up in 45 minutes.  Phew!

This might be our only family picture in Ireland.  Whoops!  The cliffs were amazing! but the weather was not.  Super windy.  I was so nervous the night before visiting the cliffs, dreaming about my children running or jumping off the edge.  The main area is very kid friendly.  There is a wall the surrounds the cliffs, making you feel more secure.

Bryan walked the entire cliffs.  This was the one place that he really wanted to visit in Ireland and he was dog sick.  Poor guy.  It was definitely worth it though.

Let me just say, looks can conceiving.  I was so excited to see this tomb- poulnabrone dolmen- and then I got there and I was couldn't believe how small it was.

The rock formations around the tomb were really interesting and fun for the girls to jump from.

Our last couple days were all about Dublin.  My mom and I tried some non-alcoholic beer at the famous Arther's pub.

My dad and I poured the perfect Guinness at the Guinness Museum and Store House.  

We saw the Book of Kells and the amazing Long Room at Trinity University.  Highly recommend.

And, of course, St. Patrick's Cathedral.