Aran Islands, Moher, and Blarney!

(7/6/15) The beautiful Aran Islands: we catch a shuttle and then a ferry out to Inis Mor, the biggest of the Aran Islands. We jumped on a couple of bikes and spent the day cycling around looking at the beautiful sights. It was a bit like stepping back in time - gorgeous little stone walls everywhere you look, lining the lush, rolling green hillsides. Quaint little cottages that look like something out of an old fairy tale... I was half expecting a little leprechaun to pass me by, the place was so magical and so classically Irish. 

There were ruins every so often, and a couple of little cemeteries on the tops of the hills, and then at the other end of the island, high up on a cliff, was the remnants of one of Western Europes finest prehistoric fortresses: Dun Aonghus. The cliff where this fortress sits is a sheer drop. I walked right up to the edge and dangled my feet over (Much to Michael's horror). I could have stayed there forever. 

I cannot describe well enough the scenery. The houses dotted along the lusciously green hillside, the stone walls which look ready to topple at any moment, the horses casually grazing, and the particularly (and strangely) warm and sunny day... It was absolutely glorious. Very well worth the tired legs we will both have tomorrow from all the hill cycling and hiking up to fortresses. 

After making our way back down to our bikes and cycling back to the other side of the island (on our way we saw a seal colony) we had a delicious lunch (bulmers and the best fish and chips Michael had ever had) before jumping back on the ferry. 

Michael and I stole away to a pub for dinner - delicious Orchard Thieves cider (my new absolute favourite drink) and bangers and mash (vegetarian). 

(8/6/15) On our way to Killarney we stopped at the Moher cliffs & castle. Stunning views, and more scaring of Michael as I pretended to dangle from the edge of the cliff, teehee. 

After lunch  we drove into Killarney and went for a bit of a walk through the National park. I swear we found the place where faeries are born - so pretty and we were lucky enough to have more warm, delightful weather. 

From there we checked out the cathedral - beautiful and creepy - and then on for dinner and a couple of ciders in the evening.  

(9/6/15) Something I've really been looking forward to on this tour: THE BLARNEY CASTLE! 

Gorgeous surrounding grounds, and after a very claustrophobic trip up the tight stone stairwell we made it up to the top to kiss the Blarney Stone. 

Kinda gross to think about how many other people have kissed it, but still a great experience, and I'm glad we can say we have done it. Another highlight was the Poison Garden - a whole variety of poisonous plants which were used a lot back in the 15th century. They had poppies, marijuana, absinthium wormwood, wolfsbane... and lots of others I had never heard of.