IRELAND

DAY 1

Mom and dad were excited to celebrate their 25th Anniversary by going to Ireland. Grandma Pikus dropped them off at the airport and away they went. They had a 3 hour layover in Boston before heading straight to Dublin on an overnight flight. They knew they would be exhausted but were ready of the adventure.

DAY 2

After a long flight, they rented a car (driving a stick shift on the left hand side of the road) and headed to Belfast. The Titanic museum was on their bucket list and learned that the Titanic was actually built in Ireland, not in England. They were actually able to stand right where the ship had been built. It was an incredible museum! It was then a good walk to the market where they shopped and found some great food, except for Dad's hamburger. We took note not to order any more hamburgers in Ireland. Mom loved her crepes though. We walked the streets of Belfast and headed to St. Peters Cathedral and the Belfast castle. We found small churches on each corner that we would enter and loved each unique style. After a long night and day, we headed to our Hotel which was actually a Castle, Cabra Castle in Kings Court.

DAY 3

The next day was Sunday so we awoke early and had a continental breakfast in the dining room, then headed to church on our way to Glenveagh National Park. It was a small branch that we attended with only about a dozen people there which 4 were missionaries.  It was testimony meeting so Dad gave his testimony and his love for the Savior. They stayed for Sunday School as well which was an incredible experience. It was then onto Glenveagh where they toured the castle that overlooked a lake. They headed to Donegal where they toured the castle there and walked the streets. They also learned that Enya, the music artist was from this very city. They headed to Lough Eske Castle where they dined and had an incredible dinner and dessert.

DAY 4

The next day they traveled to Galway, but had many stops along the way. They drove to the coast and stopped by a few ruins and cemeteries dating back to the 700 AD and even some BC. They stopped by Classiebawn Castle and Creepy Keel which was a burial ground dateng back to BC. Galway was one of their favorite towns. They stopped by the Galway cathedral, visited Spanish arch and Eyre Square where they enjoyed a bubble waffle cone and shopping. They headed to Roscommon where they stayed at the Abbey Hotel.

DAY 5

The next day they drove to the Cliffs of Moher and walked along the cliffs edges. They headed to Limerick and stopped by a few random ruins along the roadside called Kilmacduagh from 700AD. They also visited Clare Abbey, another set of ruins from the same time period. In Limerick, they visited and toured King John's castle and headed back to Roscommon after the long day.

DAY 6

The next day they checked out of their hotel and visited the Roscommon Castle and headed South to Kilkenny where they visited the famous castle there. They also visited St. Mary's Cathedral, Black Abby. St. Canice's Parish and Cathedral as well as Jerpoint Abby. It was a full day and a lot was seen and enjoyed. After a long day, they headed towards Dublin.

DAY 7

It was the last full day to spend in Ireland so they made the most of their time. They headed to Dublin Castle which is still used for government meetings and officiating, Chester Beatty Museum, St. Patrick's Cathedral (The largest church in Ireland), John's Lane church and Christ church cathedral. It was a packed day once again but there was so much to enjoy and see!

DAY 7

Since Mom and Dad didn't need to be at the airport until the afternoon, they headed back to the city to shop and look for souvenirs. That wasn't all they found... they found an incredible bakery as well which would be their last Ireland meal before heading to the airport. They had a long layover in Boston where they rented a hotel room to get some much needed sleep before returning back to life and reality. Now they were ready for a Vacation to unwind;)