The Cliffs of Moher

I had never set foot in Ireland prior to meeting Hubby and being taken through my first gauntlet with his very large, very loud, very loving family. I’ve been several times since and Jane’s already made two trips in her mere 2.75 years.

If you’ve never been, here are some - definitely not all - of the things I love about Ireland and that you might like to check out if you visit:

Grafton Street Shopping & Street Performers (Dublin)

If you’re Irish, you might think it’s cheesy and that all the “good” shops are gone, but Hubby and I never fail to have a great outing when we “go into town.”

Brown Thomas (Dublin)

This luxury department store is a shopper’s wonderland. The shoes. Oh, the shoes. Their selection just might be better than Saks’ Shoe Floor with its own zip code. I got my favorite pair of Lanvin platform booties here and always enjoy a delicious coffee in the cafe when I need a mid-shopping break.

Laduree (inside Brown Thomas)

You already know how much I love these. I’ve finally narrowed it down to pistache as my favorite.

The Book of Kells

A piece of history you must see at Trinity College, along with the Long Room, which is filled with 200,000 of The Old Library’s oldest books.

Country Estates like Marlfield House

View all my detailed photos of this lovely Relais & Chateau estate, lush grounds and amazingly grand room here.

B&Bs like Castlewood House (Dingle)

I don’t like B&Bs, but this one surpassed all my expectations in a modern,clean take on the traditional bed and breakfast inn. The owners were courteous, but not too friendly, which some might find cold, but I find refreshing. View my photos of our room and this five star inn here.

Avoca

You can eat and shop all in the same place. My kind of place.

Thatched Roofs, Window Boxes and Painted Doors

Really Good Food like Chez Max (Dublin)

The food and wine at this Baggot Street Bistro are out of this world, but the best part is being able to sit outside on a little terrace and feel like you are enjoying a secret summer night’s fare somewhere exotic.

Authentic Pubs like Buggles (Kilrush)

Guinness

See why it really is good for you here.

Wellington Bars

One summer in England, I ate a bar every day for lunch - and nothing else. It was one of the best summers I’ve ever had.

Pub Food

Not the slop they serve here in the States, but the best clam chowder you’ve ever tasted with real chunks of seafood and hot, crisp chips (french fries) with fresh, battered fish.

Deep-Fried Snickers

I didn’t actually love this and it made me sick to my stomach, but I just love the concept that anything can be put into a deep fryer. It’s something so foreign to me.

A Full Irish Breakfast

Not good for the waistline, but good for the belly.

Hope you enjoyed this photo journey!

Have you been to Ireland? What are your favorite parts and things to do?

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Chrissy – who has written 426 posts on The Outlaw Mom® Blog - Creative Living in a Conventional World.

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