Matt and Mum Do Ireland, Part 8

PART EIGHT: Crossing The North

2016-03-22 to 2016-03-24

The Giant's Causeway.

Our final stop on our circumnavigation of Ireland (except for the return to Dublin at the very end) was the capital of the North: Belfast. A city with a proud history in manufacturing – specifically ships – it has also seen its share of problems over past few decades. While Derry had Bloody Sunday, Belfast saw many associated issues to do with the Troubles. But since the mid-1990s, it has slowly rebuilt itself through investment and opportunity to become the bustling hub it is today.

Matt and Mum Do Ireland, Part 7

PART SEVEN: Donegal, Derry & the Downtrodden

2016-03-19 to 2016-03-21

Stunning mural in the Bog Side of Derry.

Bidding Galway a sad farewell, we piled back into our little Škoda to continue on with the journey. It had been a great couple of days full of scenery, good food and fantastic traditional music; something of which we had certainly had our fill as we circumnavigated the Republic. This had also been our last stopping point within the Republic, as we left from Galway to drive all the way up to Londonderry, crossing the border into the UK.

Matt and Mum Do Ireland, Part 6

PART SIX: Who's Your Paddy?

2016-03-15 to 2016-03-18

Overlooking Pollacapall Lough at Kylemore Abbey.

I hope you're ready, liver. This is what we've been training for: St. Patrick's Day in Galway! No, let's be serious - I'm too old to be drinking like we all did in our early 20s. A couple of snifters and generally enjoying the festivities is much more up my alley these days!

Matt and Mum Do Ireland, Part 5

PART FIVE: Into The Heart Of The Isle

2016-03-12 to 2016-03-14

Slow shutter effects are one of my secret loves.

After a very chilled few days in the mid-west, it was time to move along into the heart of Ireland. We had realised that our trip would include being here for St. Patrick's Day, and so we had to make sure we were somewhere lively during that time. We decided our best bet, being in the west of the country, would be to spend it in Galway. As we were still a bit early, we arranged a detour inland to the city of Athlone to see what the middle of Ireland has to offer.

Matt and Mum Do Ireland, Part 4

PART FOUR: Rocking Out In The West

2016-03-08 to 2016-03-11

A little star gazing in Killarney before moving along to the next location.

And as expected, the changeable weather for our time in County Kerry changed once more on the day we were due to leave. Tuesday 8th of March saw the clouds and mist roll in; not so much rain, but enough to give the day a bit of a gloomy feel. A perfect day to spend in the car, moving along to our next stop: Ennis in County Clare.

Matt and Mum Do Ireland, Part 3

PART THREE: Running Rings Around Kerry
2016-03-05 to 2016-03-07

On Saturday morning, March 5th, it was once again time to make tracks and head off onto the next base camp of our trip, namely, Killarney in county Kerry. From there, we planned to get back in touch with nature. Infamous for its coastal scenery, especially around the Ring of Kerry, this corner of the country promised us some fantastic photographic opportunities.

Matt and Mum Do Ireland, Part 2

PART TWO: Heading South-East
2016-03-01 to 2016-03-05

And so, our time in our first county came to an end. On the morning of March 1st, we loaded everything into our little Škoda and set sail, so to speak, for the south-east of the country. Our next stop was Cashel, in county Tipperary, with planned day trips to Kilkenny, Waterford and the Wicklow mountains. A bit of driving awaits us over these few days, but that's just a great way to see the countryside!

Matt and Mum Do Ireland, Part 1

PART ONE: County Meath

2016-02-25 to 2016-02-29

It really is about time I went on a trip that didn’t involve me packing a tool kit. Well, that time has come! After more than 1.5 years of planning, this week, I set off with my mum to explore Ireland and Scotland. I have visited Dublin before, but only for a few days, and never any other locations in the Emerald Isle; as for Scotland, I have never been. This post will be the first of a series, detailing our adventures over a period of 6 weeks touring ourselves around these two beautiful countries.