Abi and I were off on our own for a 10 day trip to Ireland. We had to delay our ferry to Ireland by a day as we had a problem with a sticky hand brake on Rockstar on the way to Fishguard ferry port. Thankfully Stena Line were able to offer us a spot on the ferry the next day.
We sailed into Rosslare and headed to my cousins near Gorey where we spent the next two nights visiting family.
Dunbrody Famine Ship
After leaving my cousins, we visited the Dunbrody Famine Ship in New Ross and did the tour, learning all about famine ships.
Dungarven
We headed on to Dungarven where we spent the night parked up by the sea in designated motorhome parking. We enjoyed wandering around the colourful streets before choosing a cafe by the sea where we shared our fish and chips with some half tame rooks.
We watched as the tide returned, bringing with it lots of fish.
We found some bright pink dead crabs and watched as some people launched their dinghy.
Kinsale
Next we drove to Kinsale, stopping on the way to have a wonder around Middleton.
Kinsale was quite the surprise, I’ve never seen such a colourful town.
St Colemans Cathedral, Cobh
After Kinsale we continued to Cobh. Having no joy at the Aire we found a quite residential street overlooking St Colemans Cathedral where we spent the night. There was time for a quick visit to the Cathedral before bed.
Titanic Experience
The next morning we did the Titanic Experience and had a wander around the shops in Cobh and up the famous Deck of Cards Street in front of the Cathedral.
The Titanic Experience was small but good. You can still see the remains of the actual pier where the last passengers boarded the fateful ship. Back then, Cobh was called Queenstown. As part of your ticket you are given the name of one of the actual passengers and at the end of the tour you can look your name up on the wall to see if you survived. Thankfully, both Abi and I did.
Cork
After lunch we drove in Cork and visited
- the Butter Museum
- Cork Gaol & Radio Museum
- Daly’s Bridge
- Fitzgerald Park
We booked onto the Blarney Campsite for one night and then returned to Cork the following morning to visit:
- St Annes Church and the Shandon Bells.
Cahir Castle
Our next stop was Cahir Castle and the neighboring park. Whilst we were then a friendly gentleman arrived carrying three baskets of racing pigeons. He kindly invited all the children to get involved in releasing the pigeons.
Rock of Cashell
We continued north and spent the evening parked at Mother Hubbards and enjoyed breakfast there the next morning and then continued to the Rock of Cashell.
County Westmeath
The main reason for the trip was a big family reunion being held in Curragha, County Westmeath. Over the next two days were we taken to visit various family members including my 100 year old Uncle and the remains on the house were my father grew up. There’s not much left of it now.
For the first time in around 30 years we managed to get a record number of cousins together.
All that was left, was the drive south back to Rosslare ready to catch the ferry back to Fishguard the next morning.
