Today started pretty early. It’s the halfway point of the trip, AND it’s moving day again. We got up and finished packing, and then met downstairs for breakfast when it opened at, I think, 7:30.
Breakfast here was…more comprehensive than the hotel breakfast in Donegal, but still a bit lacking, and they were kinda unorganized for those who decided once they were already at the hotel that they wanted to eat breakfast there. But, we paid up and found some food. This was also a buffet, with some cold items, some sausage and bacon, some potatoes, and some poached eggs. I’m sure there were baked beans and tomatoes on the buffet line too (as two separate items), because that seemed to be standard.
Once we had eaten, we headed back upstairs to get luggage, and then met back in the lobby. While we waited for Laura, dad and I checked out and Nick headed to the parking garage to get the car so that we wouldn’t have to listen to dad whine about how far away the car was parked. We did get a parking coupon from the front desk that cut our parking cost for that particular garage by more than half. Pay attention to your hotel website folks!
Laura emerged eventually, having been on the phone with her boyfriend back home. She checked out and then we headed out in front of the hotel to wait a few more minutes for Nick. Of course a delivery truck pulled up in front of the hotel just before Nick did, but Nick was able to figure out a spot to stop the car. We loaded it up, programmed the GPS, and we were off!
It took a little over 90 minutes to get to our next destination, and the drive was reasonably uneventful. We got to the Cliffs of Moher around 10 am, which was definitely the goal. Everywhere I had read said that peak visitation is between 11 and 4. When we got there, the line to get into the parking lot, which is where you pay, was pretty short, and in really just a few minutes we were being directed into a parking space. We got situated, and then crossed the street and started taking pictures.
The Cliffs of Moher are definitely impressive. I know I’ve never seen another landscape like that. However, after seeing the cliffs along the Northern Ireland coastline…well…Northern Ireland won! But, the Cliffs of Moher was definitely a worthwhile stop. After exploring the cliffs, we explored the very chaotic visitors center (which, just like at Giant’s Causeway, was built into the hill), and even my dad bought himself a Christmas ornament. Woah!
By the time we were done exploring Cliffs of Moher, peak visitation time had started. Dozens of tour buses had descended, and the line to enter the car park stretched for probably a mile down the road in either direction. GET THERE BEFORE 10:30!!!!
Minds blown by the lines of cars and where they were directing people to park, we got ourselves situated in our car and had zero issues leaving the car park. We then settled in for the approximately 3 hour drive to our next hotel.
It was a pretty uneventful drive, and we were actually able to pull up in front of the Killarney Towers Hotel. WOAH. After unloading the car, Nick hopped in the driver’s seat and took the car over to the car park across the street while the rest of us hauled the luggage in and got checked in. Our rooms were all ready and check in was fast, so dad and Laura headed upstairs while I waited for Nick, who appeared a couple minutes later. We then wrestled the luggage over to the lift, and while waiting for that, Nick told me “you are doing a phenomenal job driving that thing. That car is WAY too big for this country and it feels 80 feet wide from the right side”. Apparently finding a parking spot had been an adventure, but he had, in fact, docked the boat…I mean…parked the car.
We found room 240 and…this room was nice! Definitely the most modern and upscale room (and, honestly, hotel) we stayed in this trip.
By the time we were done exploring Cliffs of Moher, peak visitation time had started. Dozens of tour buses had descended, and the line to enter the car park stretched for probably a mile down the road in either direction. GET THERE BEFORE 10:30!!!!
Minds blown by the lines of cars and where they were directing people to park, we got ourselves situated in our car and had zero issues leaving the car park. We then settled in for the approximately 3 hour drive to our next hotel.
It was a pretty uneventful drive, and we were actually able to pull up in front of the Killarney Towers Hotel. WOAH. After unloading the car, Nick hopped in the driver’s seat and took the car over to the car park across the street while the rest of us hauled the luggage in and got checked in. Our rooms were all ready and check in was fast, so dad and Laura headed upstairs while I waited for Nick, who appeared a couple minutes later. We then wrestled the luggage over to the lift, and while waiting for that, Nick told me “you are doing a phenomenal job driving that thing. That car is WAY too big for this country and it feels 80 feet wide from the right side”. Apparently finding a parking spot had been an adventure, but he had, in fact, docked the boat…I mean…parked the car.
We found room 240 and…this room was nice! Definitely the most modern and upscale room (and, honestly, hotel) we stayed in this trip.
Once settled, the dinner debate began, and pretty soon everyone had settled on Murphy’s. We met up in the lobby and made our way to Murphy’s, admiring the adorable town we were staying in along the way.
Murphy’s was great. I had an excellent Irish stew and tried a Cronin’s cider (better than Bulmar’s, but not as good as Rockshore and Orchard Thieves). I think Nick had some fish and chips. No clue what anyone else had. But we all enjoyed Murphy’s.
From here, we continued our pub crawl of Ireland at Jimmy Briens. Dad picked it. This place had more of a sports bar feel to it, but was still really unique. I mean, how many bars in the States have tartan carpet on the floor?
From here, it was off to the “underground speakeasy” style bar that was basically connected to our hotel. It was called Pigs Lane. And we all loved it from the moment we walked in. Fun vibe, and all the staff were great. Unique drinks too. We were here for awhile and thoroughly enjoyed it.
When we left Pigs Lane, we wandered a bit more. Dad led us into a bar that had music live playing but…it was the music we heard at middle school dances and the bar was pretty grungy so while Dad and Laura (I think) stuck around, Nick and I headed out to explore town a bit. We did some shopping and both just enjoyed this cute town.
Eventually we headed back to the hotel, where we went to the other bar associated with our hotel: O’Donoghue’s. We had been told there would be live Irish music here. We grabbed a table and drinks (a rum and coke for me, a…something with alcohol for Nick). There WAS music. And while it wasn’t quite what either of us were looking for, it wasn’t terrible. And the drinks weren’t either. We stuck around for a few songs before calling it a night.
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