Traveling Through My First Month in Ireland

Looking back at my time so far in Ireland, it’s hard to believe how much I have been lucky enough to experience already. Throughout the chaos of starting my teaching position and settling into Dublin, I was able to find pockets of time to go out and explore. From medieval towns to coastal landscapes, each little getaway has shown me the diverse beauty of this island. Let's take a look back at my travels during my first month here! 

Tipperary and Cahir: Small Towns and Family History  

For my first solo day trip in Ireland, I decided to follow my family roots to the town of Tipperary. I booked my first ticket on the Irish Rail and set off on my journey. 

Highlights:

• When I first arrived in Tipperary, I didn't have much of a plan. I wandered through the streets and found a park overlooking the town— there, I wrote in my journal and made plans for the day. It was an odd feeling being by myself in a small town in rural Ireland, definitely out of my comfort zone!
• I decided to take a short bus ride to Cahir, another small town in County Tipperary. I was greeted by the stunning Cahir Castle and a strip of colorful buildings. Cahir Castle, standing next to the River Suir, was a defensive powerhouse of the 13th century. I walked through it and read about the history of the Butler family, who once owned the castle. Afterwards, I walked through the town and along the river before catching a bus back to Tipperary.
• Back in Tipperary, I searched for a cemetery my parents had visited years ago with family graves. With the help of a kind librarian and a bit of luck, I found the exact spot—it was a powerful moment to feel that connection to my heritage.

Returning to Dublin after my day in Tipperary, I felt accomplished—I'd made it through my first little solo trip! There were a few rough patches but I managed to navigate and ask for help when needed. It was fun to explore a more rural part of Ireland, especially one with a family connection.

Kilkenny: Medieval Streets and Tower Views 

Once a contender for my teaching location, Kilkenny was high on my travel list. Just an hour and a half train ride from Dublin, it was perfect for a day trip. 

Highlights: 

• I visited St. Canice's Cathedral, which is the oldest medieval building in the city. Next to the cathedral stands a 100 foot tower from the 9th century. Visitors are challenged to climb the round tower for a rewarding 360 view of Kilkenny, which I couldn't pass up!
  • Fun Fact: Kilkenny in Gaelic is Cill Chainnigh. "Cill" means "Church" and "Chainnigh" means "Canice"—all the places in Ireland beginning with "Cill" (Kil) are named after the churches in that place! (Killarney, Kildare, Killeagh, etc.)
• I enjoyed exploring the streets of the city—I especially loved the "slips" which are small, charming alleyways connecting the streets in the heart of the city. The most famous is called the "Butterslip" which dates back to the 17th century.
• Kilkenny castle was unfortunately closed the day I went. However, I walked around the beautiful gardens and enjoyed the view from the outside. It was a bummer that it was closed, but I still got to sit and look at a gorgeous medieval castle—not a bad deal!
• The Black Abbey is a church established in 1225. It had the most beautiful stained glass I have ever seen—and it was a sunny day so the glass was glowing vibrantly. 

Kilkenny, being my second trip out of Dublin, gave me a look into a more medieval area of Ireland with very rich history. Sometime I'd like to go back and explore the castle... and maybe take on the tower challenge again! 

Galway: Vibrant Colors and Seaside Charm

I couldn't go too long without visiting Galway, of course. Hearing about its lively streets and authentic Irish feel, I was excited to explore. It's also just a two and a half hour train ride from Dublin, so it was an easy day trip as well. 

Highlights: 

• While wandering the city, I came across a craft market near the Spanish Arch called the Tiny Traders Village, where around twenty artists were showcasing their work. I chatted with a few of them, including a woman who burns detailed sketches into wooden boxes and lines them with fabric from Chinese skirts—hearing about her process was fascinating. I also met a local painter whose in-laws happen to live in my hometown. Moments like these remind me how valuable it is to strike up conversations with locals—something I have been trying to do more often.
• I spent some time learning about the city's history at the Galway City Museum. A highlight for me was learning about Claddagh, which is a small fishing village in Galway. It was home to the creator of the Claddagh ring, and they even had the original ring on display which was so cool to see.
• One thing I have to get used to when it comes to solo traveling is eating alone—in a busy pub it can definitely feel intimidating! I managed to fight through the discomfort and had dinner at a pub called Sonny Molloy before my train back to Dublin. I had a Guinness and a wood-fired pizza, and watched a Gaelic football game on the TV. I even ended up chatting with the people next to me who were from Boston!

Galway did not disappoint—the city felt alive and authentic with an amazing blend of rich history and natural beauty. 

Back to Galway and Exploring Connemara

The next weekend I went back to Galway to visit Connemara, which ended up being my favorite place I have visited so far. It is located just north of Galway, more towards the coast. After hearing about it from my coworker and a few of the artists at the craft market, I booked a night at a hostel in Galway and joined a bus tour the next morning. 

Highlights: 

• The night before the bus tour I had some more time to spend in Galway. I got to experience some of the night life there—lots of singing, dancing and busy pubs. I also happened to be there during the Galway Arts Festival, so I even saw part of the parade that happens each year.
• The next morning, I checked out of my hostel and set off on the bus tour to Connemara. The tour guide, Seamus, made the experience even better—sharing stories, facts about each part we drove through, and teaching us bits of the Irish language (He taught us the fun fact I shared above!). The drive alone, with views of mountains, lakes and sheep everywhere, was unforgettable.
• We stopped in a tiny village called Leenane, which included a pub, a restaurant, and a few small shops. It was very charming, tucked away in the mountains.
• The main stop of the tour was the stunning Kylemore Abbey. I had seen pictures of it before, but seeing it in real life— a huge white castle standing on a lake surrounded by green hills—was jaw-dropping. We had two hours there, which I spent exploring the Victorian Walled Gardens, the first-floor exhibit in the Abbey, and the Gothic Church with the four types of Irish marble inside. I was sad to leave; I love all things gardens and castles, so this place was like heaven to me!
• Afterwards, we stopped at a farm next to another lake and fed some very silly and adorable sheep which was a fun hands-on experience.
• The last stop of the tour was another small town called Spiddal. It was a little bigger then Leenane and just as charming. My favorite part was the Craft Village, a row of little shops selling jewelry, paintings and trinkets. 

I especially loved this trip because of the landscapes and Kylemore Abbey—exploring the castle and the grounds made me feel like a little kid again. I'm also so happy that I decided to do the bus tour because it offered insight into parts of Connemara that I wouldn't have seen otherwise. 

I am so grateful for the opportunities I've had to travel around Ireland and see the amazing things it has to offer! Each experience so far has been unique and has come with their own lessons and challenges. I am slowly becoming more comfortable with traveling, and I'm learning so much about this beautiful country along the way. Since then, I have done a couple of bigger trips—including Scotland and the Wicklow Mountains. Stay tuned to hear more!

Pictures above: 

Slide 1: Cahir Castle on River Suir

Slide 2: View of Kilkenny from the round tower

Slide 3: The Butterslip in Kilkenny

Slide 4: View from Nimmo's Pier in Galway

Slide 5: Kylemore Abbey 

Slide 6: Ponies in the gardens of Kylemore Abbey

Slide 7: Me & Kylemore Abbey :)