It’s been a long time since I’ve worked on this site, and almost as long that we didn’t get to travel due to a certain virus that I don’t think I need to name. But despite it feeling like I’d never get to leave my state (or house) again, we did eventually get to break free. Kevin and I took a trip to Ireland and Northern Ireland in September 2023, and this time, we took some friends along!

Here are my top four memories of the trip…

1. Introducing friends to the joy of international travel

During a game night, we were chatting with our close friends Amber and Ross, and they talked about how they’d love to go on a trip overseas, but were not quite confident that they could figure it all out on their own. And I thought, “I want to show them the joy of traveling abroad – we should take a trip together!”

Several months later (and after a nail-biting wait for one of the passports), the four of us were driving around Ireland, having a wonderful time! I had researched and put together an itinerary that was good for all of us and our individual wants, and it actually worked! Afterward, Ross said it was so nice to be able to go on a trip and see this much without having to worry about the details.

It was so enjoyable to plan and then execute this trip, that I am currently planning another friends expedition; this time to Italy, next year with Amber and Ross and a third couple we are friends with. I can’t wait to see their faces when landing in Rome!

2. Ross Errilly Friary

As carefully as I plan out my itineraries, I like to stay open to the possibilities that present themselves during a trip. One such unexpected occurrence turned out to be an absolute highlight of this trip (so much so that it inspired a tattoo)!

We were driving along from Galway en route to Ashford Castle, when someone noticed an interesting building in the distance. The three passengers felt an immediate pull towards it, and we all yelled to Kevin driving, “Turn around! We have to find out what that is!!”

We drove up just as a family was leaving, and we walked up to the empty building in silence. The sign read “Ross Errilly Friary… Founded in 1351.” There was a definite aura of history and spirituality (this coming from an atheist) that demanded respect.

The building felt bigger inside than what we could see from the front.

We explored as long as we were able (we had a falconry appointment to get to), and I was sad to leave, but so grateful it had called to us and we’d gotten to experience it.

3. Cliffs

No particular cliffs, just ALL THE CLIFFS!

Ireland is so stunning. How else can you put it?

Ocean-side cliffs are magic!

4. Waking up at the Dark Hedges

One of Amber’s must-sees was the Dark Hedges in Northern Ireland. The way I’d arranged our itinerary, it was going to be difficult to see the Dark Hedges without crowds. So partway through planning, we decided to pivot.

Rather than stay the night in Derry, we decided to alter our reservations so we could push through and stay the night at The Hedges Hotel instead. That way we could actually see the Hedges at sunset AND sunrise, the two most photogenic and least busy times.

Needless to say, it was a good idea to change the plan…

Waking up in the hotel across the street so we could get our pictures while our husbands got to sleep in turned out to be a really good idea. Amber and I got there first, and only a handful of others showed up while we were there. And all us early birds were cool with giving each other space to photograph and stay out of each others’ way.

After going back for a sit-down breakfast and grabbing the guys, there were a lot more people, and the hope of getting a photo with no one else in it was gone.

I could keep listing memorable moments and sights from Ireland and Northern Ireland, but the name of this series is “Four Faves,” so that’s all for now. Our trip here turned out to be one of my favorites, and someday I will hopefully be back to see more.