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Guinness, Gaelic and grand adventures

Ireland is calling again, and who are we to ignore the siren song of the Emerald Isle? Especially when there are direct (and dirt-cheap) flights from our town to Dublin. Now, I may have an ongoing feud with RyanAir—something about legroom designed for leprechauns and customer service that would make a grumpy old sheep look friendly—but when adventure beckons, one must sometimes make sacrifices.

We had a short taste of Ireland a few years ago—just a sip, really, like the first foamy gulp of a well-poured pint. But let’s be honest, we barely scratched the surface of this green and glorious land. So, after the summer, we’re setting off again, this time in a merry band of four… possibly six, if a couple of undecided souls find their travel mojo.

As tradition demands, our itinerary includes a pilgrimage to a few world-famous breweries (because hydration is important) and a whisky distillery (for cultural enrichment, of course). But this time, we’re pushing further, venturing from Dublin up into Northern Ireland.

Belfast is on the list—a city I haven’t set foot in for decades. Last time, it was all business, and the only sightseeing I did was through taxi windows. This time, I plan to do it properly. From there, we’ll head north, then meander down the rugged west coast to Galway before crossing back to Kilkenny, soaking in the landscapes, the history, and—let’s face it—the pubs along the way. Then, it’s back to Dublin and onto our trusty tin-can-with-wings for the journey home.

At this stage, we’re still piecing together the finer details—the must-sees, the hidden gems, the unmissable experiences. And let’s be real, in Ireland, the list is endless. But one thing I do know: I need to brush up on my Irish. Last time, I found myself in a pub beside a local chap whose enthusiasm for conversation was only matched by my complete and utter failure to understand a single word he said. Smiles and nods only get you so far.

So, here’s to another grand adventure—new sights, new sips, and hopefully, at least a vague idea of what people are saying to me this time.

Sláinte! 🍀

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