We decided to use Globus Tours for our trip to Ireland. Honestly, if I wouldn’t have found the deal to Ireland, we probably would have never thought to go to Ireland during Thanksgiving time. With it being our first trip to Ireland, Globus was really night one stop shop. They arranged all flights, airport transfers, accommodations, touring, driving, extra excursions and about half of our food for the trip. It was extremely reasonable in price and the deal could not be passed up. This left us relaxed and with no stress before the trip. Well OK, if you know me, you know there was some stress…before the trip. I also just got back from a trip from Oklahoma city on Friday 22 November and then headed out Saturday 23 November to go to Ireland. My biggest fear was that I was going to forget to pack something. I had my Ireland suitcase packed before I left for Oklahoma City, so as soon as I got home, I could move a pair of shoes and my makeup bag and I would be good to go. I didn’t want to be cold or wet, so I had to make sure I had plenty of layers and wet weather gear. All the while wondering what earrings to wear, I know, earrings?? Well I don’t like not feeling somewhat put together, and well earrings and mascara help me feel that way.
This was our first trip without any of the kids, so it was a very different vacation of sorts, but amazing. Don’t let them feel sorry for them though, as we have another vacation planned for December right before Christmas.
Atlanta-Toronto-Heathrow-Shannon
Our flight out of Atlanta was delayed by a little over an hour. We did get upgraded to first class though, so that was nice.
Photo while heading into London. The clouds were so thick and low.
We were supposed to arrive in Shannon at 11:30 a.m., but instead arrived at around 5 p.m. We had our bags and went through customs in about 10 minutes. We met our Globus representative and had to wait for everyone else from this flight and we were headed to the hotel….finally!!
Day 1 November 24
We arrived at Clayton Hotel, Limerick at about 5:45 p.m. and dinner was scheduled for 6:30 p.m. with our tour group. I had the house white wine, bruschetta, chicken with Demi glacé and potatoes and vegetables. We had a sampling of 4 different desserts and Irish coffee after dinner (hubby drank both of ours…cause I don’t do coffee with whiskey or without
After dinner headed for a short walk and to get some water from the circle K (yes there was a circle K in limerick)
Here are some photos from around town…it was dark and we were on our own, so I’m am not too sure of what everything was, but will check out more on our tour no tomorrow.
Hotel Clayton, Limerick…right on the Shannon River.
Day 2 November 25
Limerick and West Coast Excursion
We drove around Limerick in the morning on our way out to the West Coast excursion along the Atlantic. We stopped to photograph King Johns Castle and some bridges on the Shannon River.
King John’s Castle
Bridge over the Shannon River in Limerick
As we traveled the Atlantic Coastline, we drove through some quaint towns and beautiful countryside. Then we stopped to visit the Dunguaire Castle and the bay.
Thatched roof houses across from Dunguaire Castle
We stopped at the Cliffs of Moher – 668 ft cliffs on Clare Coast, sadly it was very cloudy and the cliffs were in the clouds. There were quite photogenic birds there though. The cliffs proved how important it was to have waterproof shoes…was very glad my feet stayed dry.
As we traveled to Galway, here are some photos of countryside that we passed though.
On the way back towards Limerick, we caught the first glimpse of sun for the day…an Irish sunset…photo taken from inside a moving tour bus…as were quite a few of the other photos from the day.
We then arrived back at Clayton Hotel, Limerick, showered and tried to recap my day and hit the hay for an early morning. Suitcases had to be outside our room by 7 and headed out at 8 a.m. for a full day tomorrow.
XOXO
-S