(Privately shared on January 22, 2023 with a select group of friends). The above is a photo of Healy Pass. More photos can be found here.
As a reminder, words written in italics represent the original journal. Underlined words are edits for clarification within the original journal. I’m also adding new notes in my journal as I share it, mostly historical information of the things I’ve seen and researched upon my return and random thoughts. This will be represented in regular type.
23 Sept ~ Dublin
I didn’t sleep well – nerves? – and woke up very early, before 4am! I repacked everything, taped up my duffel bag and headed to the airport shuttle. I previously bought a duffel bag on my way to Bunratty and made sure it would be easy to carry, along with my rolling carryon. The duffel bag had wheels on one end, but was larger than I needed, even when packed with laundry. I packed my souvenirs in my carry on but had to pack some fragile items in the duffel. To make it more compact and to keep items from being broken, I wrapped duct tape around the duffel. This also made it an ugly bag and one that would hopefully be ignored by would-be mischief makers. It was raining. I wanted to get to the airport early enough to get through security and customs, and still have time for my flight. Earlier in the year (summer?) Dublin airport was a mess, with long long lines. Anyway, I got to the Delta desk super early and they weren’t even open! I had to wait about 45 minutes for them to open at 7am. I checked my duffel bag and headed to security.
The security line was long but the workers were efficient in barking orders to everyone. I eventually got through even though I forgot I had my lip balm tin in my pocket and had to go through three times! My camera gear was flagged so they had to take an extra look at it which meant I had to repack my Bento bag. By the end, I was hot and flustered and still had to go through customs, all without a cup of coffee!
Customs again was a long line but efficient. We had to go through screening again (how dumb), but at least I didn’t have to take off my belt or walk through another Xray machine. I eventually got a coffee and a croissant and found my gate. (I ordered a regular coffee but they call it an Americano and it was an Americano – much better than drip coffee!)
Boarding was delayed but not by too much. For my trip home I upgraded to Comfort Plus seats and in the future will do the same. We had a designated place for our carryon luggage so I was able to put both my carryon and Bento bag in the overhead bin so I would have more legroom (there was plenty of overhead bin access so I didn’t feel bad for putting both bags up there). My row was again in the middle seat. The flight was blissfully uneventful and we arrived to a rainy NYC.
I had a short layover then boarded a much much smaller plane to Nashville. I wanted to get a NYC magnet for my collection but the prices were outrageous! The flight was booked and I could only put my carryon in the overhead bin and had to put my Bento bag under the seat in front of me. But because of the outlets and curve of the plane (I was sitting by a window), it wouldn’t fit! So I had to turn it and shove it in but it was still sticking out! I tried to cover it with my jacket but the stewardess called me out on that and waited until I shoved it into place. It was still sticking out but luckily she didn’t make me check it because it had my camera gear in it. In the end, the guy sitting next to me moved so I had an empty seat next to me. It put it under the seat next to me flush, but it still stuck out. Still, I’m very pleased with the bag although I suspect most people who buy it aren’t flying economy!
We landed early into Nashville so once I gathered my duffel bag, looking worse for wear, I made my way to the Lyfts and Uber section of the airport.
I haven’t used Lyft in awhile and the app wasn’t working as it should. Luckily, there were some millennials near me and I asked them to take a look at it for me, old lady that I am! After some manipulation they fixed it for me so I could order a ride. I opted to share a ride for less money and my initial ride left without me! It’s so hard to distinguish car makes and confirm license plate numbers when there isn’t a license plate in the front of the car. I got the next ride and though I was the only passenger, I still got the shared ride price.
My driver let me out, laughed at the condition of my duffel bag (at least it didn’t get stolen!) and I was finally home.
It was so nice to be reunited with E2! (Elliot and Eleanor). They were so happy to see me! Elliot gave me lots of kisses and a couple of nips, as if to say ‘I’m so glad you’re home but I’m mad that you left us!’ It was nice to be with them again.
I noticed that Justin did not top off the bird seed or feed the ferals so no socks for him! I fed everyone and then Cynthia came over as she wasn’t sure when I would be home (Cynthia was cat sitting). It was nice to see her and I got my key back and thanked her for looking after E2. She said they were so affectionate and they really are.
~ Epilogue ~
I did a lot of research on items needed for my trip and for travel in general. Here are my thoughts and purchases, most of which I got on sale.
Clothes
For my trip, I knew I was going to do a lot of walking so I wanted to be comfortable. I took four pairs of pants (traditional jeans that I wore on the planes, a pair of black jeans for dressy occasions), and two pairs of quick drying travel pants, several tops and two pairs of waterproof shoes. My everyday shoes were Merrel Moab hiking shoes, and my ‘dressier shoes’ were these cute Sorrel lace ups. I also took my Barbour waxed jacket, that I wore most of the time, and my Scottish red cap. I washed clothes at Mizen View and used two laundry sheets that took up zero space in my luggage. And because my pants were quick drying, they took no time to wear again.
Things I bought and brought for my trip but didn’t need:
A portable charger. My brother, who travels frequently, recommended this one, which I bought, but I never needed. Still, it’s good to have for my next adventure
My Orvis pack and go jacket. This jacket is one of my favorite jackets I have and is a great travel jacket. However, I didn’t need it, even though Dublin was rainy. On the cooler evenings in Mizen View, I probably would have worn it had I not bought myself the Jameson hoodie
All the outlet chargers! I bought a travel adapter, and brought all the different outlets. I just needed the one for Ireland!
Things I bought and brought for my trip and were happy to have:
A bright travel wallet. This one was perfect and easily held my passport, my boarding passes and even my phone. The bright yellow made it easy to find in my bag.
A Turkish towel. This came in handy on multiple occasions. I used it as a blanket in the airplane and in a few places I stayed, a wrap on a sunny but windy day, and a blanket to sit on on the ground and journal. I love it.
Noise cancelling earbuds. I bought these exclusively for the flights, but I use them all the time now, especially on my walks to work.
This sleep mask set. I used it on the plane, when I arrived at my Air B&B in Dublin and when I got home. It’s not hot or uncomfortable at all and stays in place.
The Bento Bag. This was my personal item on the flights and I used it primarily to safely carry my camera equipment. It is a little pricey and I’m not convinced it fits under economy class airplane seats, but it is a lovely, well made bag. In addition to my camera, I was also able to fit my laptop, umbrella, documents and the normal travel sundries. I hope to use it often for many adventures.
A hard case rolling carry on. When I was doing research for luggage (because who wants to travel overseas with old, broken luggage), Monos and Away brands were the most reviewed and praised. I ended up going with this Monos carry on as it seemed more organized and of better quality. Plus, Monos is very environmentally mindful which is important to me. I liked the carry on so much that when I got home, I ordered a checked version of it. Now I can spend more time with my brother when I visit him!
Things I wish I had brought with me
A packable backpack, like this one. Instead, I used my cross body purse. I love my cross body purse, and use it often at home, but with my camera I think I would have been more comfortable if the load was better distributed, especially on my long walks.
Things I wish I had done differently
The only thing I wish I had done differently was to have bought an Irish Cell Phone as soon as I landed, instead of wasting a day in Dublin trying to mess with switching out SIM cards. Here at home, I use Boost Mobile for my cell phone service which does what I need it to do, but it isn’t a travel friendly (at least to Europe) carrier. In the end, I bought a pay as you go phone from Vodafone on my last full day in Dublin. I can use it next time I’m in Ireland and I think it’s EU compatible so I can use it elsewhere.
Accommodations and Car Hire
With the exception of the Dublin Air B&B, I used booking.com for my accommodations. Every place I stayed at had a free cancellation policy which made it easy to reserve a place, even if I wasn’t sure I would stay there. I also made sure each place took a credit card for payment instead of cash (several places I looked at were reserve with a credit card, but pay in cash. I didn’t want to worry about having cash with me and used my credit card for most of my transactions).
Here’s where I stayed:
Dublin Air B&B
Inishross House, New Ross
West Beach House, Cobh
Mizen View, Goleen
Courtyard Guesthouse B&B, Bunratty
Aran View Country House, Doolin
Lough Rynn Castle, Mohill
I used Discover Cars to hire Pierre. Discover Cars checks the best prices of multiple car hire companies.
I flew Delta airlines, Nashville to Atlanta, then Atlanta to Dublin, and Dublin to NYC, then NYC to Nashville.
The trip was definitely a memorable one and I hope to return to Ireland soon. I want to explore Northern Ireland, and North West Ireland, as well as revisiting Doolin, Cork, the Mizen Peninsulas and my castle. Five weeks should just about do it. 
Thank you for indulging me by reading my entries and seeing my photos. I was happy to share everything with you. I hope you have enjoyed my Irish Adventure.
Much love,
~Kelly