travel diaries: IRELAND 🇮🇪 Dublin, Kilkenny, Irish countryside, Wild Atlantic Way, Galway, pubs

IRELAND | fall 2024 Took a regional flight from Edinburgh to Dublin. Checked into our hotel and settled in. DUBLIN (Part 1) River Liffey. First meal in Ireland: boxty at Gallaghers Boxty House. Ha'penny Bridge, Dublin Castle, Dubh Linn Garden, Arts of the Book & Sacred Traditions exhibition at the Chester Beatty (free entry!) Christ Church Cathedral, St. Patrick's Cathedral, nice stroll through St. Stephen's Green Park. GALWAY Got out of Dublin for a day and headed to County Clare. Tried to see the Cliffs of Moher and FAILED. We ventured out on a dreary, rainy day and the fog would NOT let up! It was a total bummer for sure. Drove through the Irish countryside and a small portion of the Wild Atlantic Way. Arrived in Galway, walked around the city center while eating freshly fried Irish chips with chicken sea salt from Prátaí, The Long Walk - The Claddagh, hung out by the bay. Got back in Dublin and ended the day with hand-pulled noodles from Biang Biang 遇见长安. KILKENNY Took the Irish Rail from Dublin Heuston Station to Kilkenny MacDonagh. Stopped by Arán Artisan Bakery & Bistro for mini pizzas and pastries. Checked out Kilkenny Castle and did the Smithwick's brewery tour. Explored the medieval streets of Kilkenny. St Mary's Cathedral, St Canice's Cathedral, Black Abbey. Dinner of seafood chowder, fish & chips, and beef & Guinness stew while listening to live music at Matt The Millers Bar & Restaurant. DUBLIN (Part 2) Found a cute little spot for Japanese food in Dublin at DARUMA. Had a field day at the Guinness Storehouse! Enjoyed great views of the Dublin skyline while we sipped on the BEST Guinness we've ever had at the Gravity Bar. Ate amazing NY-style pizza at BAMBINO. Highly recommend if you're in Dublin! They can literally go toe-to-toe with some of the best NYC slices - I think they're that good. Had a night out at the Temple Bar area. Put away too many Guinness' at the Temple Bar Pub. Trinity College, Molly Malone Statue, George's Street Arcade, Grafton Street, Anne's Street. Finally got to try Irish spice bags at Xian Street Food Dublin! St. Anne's Church of Ireland. Ate at Biang Biang 遇见长 before heading to the airport. We couldn't help it! They were literally right across our aparthotel so it was too easy to pop in and eat hand-pulled noodles! Departure.