Everyone Sounds Funny (and now we do too): Ireland

After our first two days in Dublin, we packed up the car once again and made our way to the opposite side of Ireland to Galway Bay, about a 3.5 hour drive. Galway Bay is beautiful.

We stayed in a privately managed apartment building (a bit of a gamble renting from private parties, but our experience was wonderful). And flipkey.com a TripAdvisor company, is excellent for finding reviews of privately managed vacation rentals. Our apartment had 2 bedrooms, living room, and a full kitchen with table and chairs. And the best part? A full balcony overlooking Galway Bay. When we weren't out seeing the sights, we could enjoy a cup of coffee and look at the water. Perfectly relaxing.

View from our apartment at Galway Bay

C was very excited by the faux fire place

On the first day of sight seeing, we drove to the famed Cliffs of Moher. A bit of a walk from the parking lot to the overlooks, but breathtaking when you get there.

Cliffs of Moher

O'Brien's Tower, overlooking the Cliffs of Moher

On our second sight seeing day, we took a day trip along scenic Sky Road. Along the way we experienced a different kind of "share the road."

Lookout for spray-painted sheep grazing on the roadside!

We stopped at a beautiful overlook and enjoyed our lunch. Another perk of staying in an apartment with a kitchen--you can buy your own groceries and pack meals for long road trips. There are no drive-thrus where we spent our day--and appropriately so. There is something so relaxing about spending time in old lands that haven't been developed much beyond paving the road.

Enjoying the sunshine and beautiful view

Family Pic!

On our last day in Galway Bay, we drove out to the port of Ros a' Mhil and took a ferry to Inis Mor, part of the Aran Islands. This has been on my bucket list for a long time. And it didn't disappoint. In fact, I think I will retire on the island in a little cottage, with laundry on the line and a cow out in the pasture. Very, very windy with wet winters, but so beautiful!

My retirement plan

We hired a pony and trap to take us all over the island (cars are only allowed for residents, and it is too far to walk in one day--bicycle hire is popular as well).