honeymoon… (part 2)

  

Our second stop was in Adare at the Adare Manor just outside of Limerick.  The Manor boasts  800+ acres of land with beautiful gardens & a championship golf course (Nick wants to go back and bring his clubs!)  The first night we ventured into town and walked around, scoped out all of the restaurants & bars.  I loved the thatched roofs & planters EVERYWHERE!  Not something you see in AZ!!  :)  We had our first “traditional” Irish Breakfast while here which consisted of:  bacon (that wasn’t crunchy like American bacon), sausages, fried eggs, white pudding, brown pudding, toast, potatoes & fried tomatoes along side of a pot of tea & coffee and an assortment of pastries!  Can you say Yum – O!?!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The second day in Adare we drove to Bunratty’s Castle                      (the most complete medieval park in Ireland) & Folk Park, about an hour away.  While there we discovered the story of Meade, a liquor that was crafted by Irish Monks out of white wine & honey for medicinal purposes.  Irish tradition is to give Meade to married couples right after being wed, following the the ceremony the couple is given enough Meade to last for one full moon…  this is where we get the term “honeymoon”.  We though it only fitting to buy a bottle of this to commemorate our honeymoon in Ireland!   :)   

 

Here is one of many action shots I tried to take while we were driving through the countryside!  :)  Notice how NOT wide the roads were…  There were a couple of times Nick and I were afraid for our lives, while we slowed down to a slow crawl and bushes and trees were brushing my side of the car - oncoming traffic wasn’t fazed a bit by the lack of space…

 

Our third day in Adare (which by the way was the worst weather-wise) we trekked out to the Aran Islands, 3 little islands off the west coast of Ireland.  The Islands are said to be “the place that time forgot”.  Our destination was Inishmore, a 12 square mile island where the Irish culture is still rich & they still speak Gaelic.  We underestimated how long of a drive it was to get to the ferry that would take us over to the island, so we ended up having to run like mad in the frigid rain with the wind blowing in our faces to catch the ferry…  Then once on the ferry the water was so CHOPPY that Nick and I were afraid the ferry would capsize!  Finally, 50 minutes later, we arrived safely to the shores of Inishmore.  We decided to board a local tour bus and to see around the island.  Our guide did speak English, but we decided that it was probably his 2nd language…  :)  He took us around the island, through villages, and dropped us off at the cliffs of Dún Aenghusa, where we took about a 20 minute hike up a path made of rocks & cobble stone to overlook the Atlantic Ocean 100 meters below!!!  The views & were awe-inspiring & the drop was AMAZING!!!    

 

 

Our final stop was in the sea-side town of Kinsale where we stayed at the Trident Hotel for 2 nights.  We ate some amazing food while staying here!  We had dinner one night at the “Fishy Fishy Cafe” which has been recognized by Food & Wine Magazine & Michelin for their local seafood. We had high expectations & fishy fishy didn’t disappoint, I had the lump crab bake with breadcrumbs on top and Nick had the mussels!  We were in heaven!!  The Irish LOVE to eat!!!

 

Our last day in Ireland we drove up from Kinsale back up to Dublin & stopped at the Waterford Crystal Factory (in Waterford, Ireland) to pick up gifts for our parents!  This place was INCREDIBLE!!!  Nick and I spent almost 2 hours looking around trying to pick out what to get!!! 

 

Thanks to Nick’s mom who talked him out of making the wedding cake and helping Nick plan this FABULOUS surprise honeymoon for us!  And to all of our family & friends who traveled to Sedona to share in our special day!  We love you all!!!  Can’t wait to share the next chapter of our lives with you!  :)