After an incredible day exploring Connemara, we had the opportunity to do something I wasn't sure I would ever do-- we visited the Aran Islands! The islands are in Galway Bay and one of the few places people still speak Gaelic as a first language. There are three distinct islands that can be reached via …
Category: Europe
In the Hills of Connemara
Everywhere we went in Ireland Brian seemed to have a fun Irish ditty to sing along the way. Driving through the hills of Connemara was certainly no exception! I could have easily spent a week in this area of the country. The rolling hills and coastline were beautiful and reminded me so much of home. We left Westport in …
Driving Through Donegal
Since we had limited time to make our upper loop around Ireland we missed most of Co. Donegal-- it just wasn't possible for us to see and do everything. We did, however, enjoy our drive from Derry to Donegal city, where we spent the night and next morning exploring the town and visiting Donegal Castle. …
A Day in Derry, Northern Ireland
Our last stop in Northern Ireland was Derry. I had been there a couple of times before when I lived in Coleraine, but this was Brian's first time. I thought he would enjoy learning more about the city's history, especially given all of the political unrest, so our first order of business was signing up for …
Reliving Coleraine, Northern Ireland
After driving the Antrim Coast from Belfast to Bushmills and seeing everything in between, my husband and I spent late afternoon driving to our hotel in Coleraine so we could check in and drop off our things. It was an emotional day for me, seeing so many places that brought back memories of my time …
Driving the Antrim Coast of Ireland
One of my favorite days of our recent trip to Ireland was our day in Northern Ireland, driving the Antrim Coast and revisiting a number of spots I hold in my heart from my time living and studying abroad. We left Belfast bright and early to start our drive north along the A2/Coast Road. Traffic …
A Day in Belfast, Ireland
We made the most of our arrival day in Ireland, traveling through the Boyne Valley, and after a full night's sleep we were excited to spend our first full day exploring Belfast. Both my husband and I had been to Belfast before--me on several occasions when I studied abroad in Coleraine, Northern Ireland, and he …
Heather's Compass 