Here’s a very terse summary of our May trip. Had one day of wet weather, otherwise shirt sleeves, and wishing I'd brought shorts. Forgive the emphasis on bars, but music is our top priority – good trad music almost everyday - 17 out of 20. A far more exhaustive and personal report is available here.
Day 0/1 – US PacNW to Dublin, drive to Belfast. Visited Drominskin Tower, McHughs Bar
Day 2 – Belfast. Visited Big Fish, Titanic Experience, Mourne Seafood, CS Lewis Square, McHughs, Henry’s Bar
Day 3 – Botanic Gardens, Ulster Museum, Crumlin Gaol, McHughs
Day 4 – Belfast to Portrush. Rathlin Island landing trip, The Dark Hedges
Day 5 – Portrush to Dunfanaghy. Dunluce Castle, Giant’s Causeway, Dunseverick Castle, Derry, Inch Wildlife Reserve, An Grianan hill fort
Day 6 – Dunfanaghy. Horn Head, Lurgabrack Forest, Glenveagh NP, Ray Church, The Workhouse
Day 7 – Dunfanaghy to Donegal. Assarance Waterfall, Glencomankille, Cloghanmore Tomb, Sleive League, The Reel Inn
Day 8 – Donegal. Donegal Abbey, Donegal Castle, Walking Tour, Salthill Gardens, Famine Graveyard, The Reel Inn
Day 9 – Donegal to Westport. Fairy Bridges, Glencar Waterfall, Devil’s Chimney, Knocknarea Hill, Knocknarea Church, Porterhouse Bar
Day 10 – Westport to Clifden. Connemara NP, Clifden Castle, Sky Road, Omey Island, Lowry’s Bar
Day 11 – Clifden to Galway. Ross Errilly Friary, Kilbannon Church, Spanish Arch, The Crane Bar
Day 12 – Galway to Doolin. Galway Walking Tour, Athenry Castle, Coole Gardens, McDermotts
Day 13 – Doolin. Black Head Lighthouse, The Burren, Fanore Beach, Cliffs of Moher boat tour, Killallae Church, Court Tomb, McDermotts
Day 14 – Doolin to Dingle. Vandeleur Walled Garden, Conor Pass, Nellighan’s Bar
Day 15 – Dingle. Gallarus Oratory, Riasc Monastery, Blasket Center (Basket landing ferry canceled), Cashel Murphy, Dun Beag, St. James Church concert, John Benny Moriarity’s Bar.
Day 16 – Dingle to Belfast. Rock of Dunamuse, Ha’ Penny Bar
Day 17 – Belfast. EPIC, Kilmainham Gaol, Museum of Art Gardens, Brazen Head afternoon session
Day 18 – Belfast. Book of Kells, Little Museum, St. Steven’s Green, Iveagh Gardens, Dead Museum
Day 19 – Back to Pacific Northwest