Spittin' Gs Around Ireland: Johnson Summer Trip Part 4

So far we have scurried around all of Scotland, navigated through Northern Ireland, and now it's time to cross over into Ireland for the remaining five days of this vacation!

Wednesday, August 6: Driving from Derry to Galway

We started our final morning in Northern Ireland with a lovely breakfast at our Bed and Breakfast. Our host, Jim, did a fantastic job teaching us a little about Derry's history while serving us eggs, sausage, bacon, pancakes, croissants, and fresh juice! Staying at Bed and Breakfasts has its perks, and the breakfast here was definitely a perk!

It was then time to get back in the car and start our long journey for the day! Before leaving Derry, we drove past the Peace Bridge, which was designed to "unite the two sides of the city." This pedestrian and cyclist bridge had a unique design and was a final memory as we left Derry behind and made our way toward the Northern Ireland and Ireland border.

Leaving Northern Ireland, Entering Ireland

A short 20-minute drive, and we crossed out of Northern Ireland and were welcomed into Donegal, Ireland, with green and yellow flags waving from the streets! Immediately, we could tell a difference in infrastructure, and the vibes seemed to pick up!

Donegal Castle: Caisleán Dhún na nGall

We passed Donegal Castle as we drove through the northwest corner of Ireland. Kevin did a great job snapping photos out the back window as we passed the castle!

Benbulbin: Binn Ghulbain

As we continued our drive south, we passed Binn Ghulbain, a distinctive flat-topped mountain that dominates the Sligo landscape. Apparently, you can hike this flat-top mountain, but lacking time in our itinerary (or the desire to do that), we instead enjoyed seeing it from the road!

Fairy Bridges

Needing to stretch our legs, we stopped outside of Sligo at the Fairy Bridges. Located right along a massive beach access point, this natural, stone "bridge" stands over crashing waves beneath!

While risking the metered parking (that we couldn't pay for after trying for several minutes), Bryan and I snapped a few photos before he ran back to the car. Jennifer, Kevin, and I enjoyed the setting a little longer, and I even climbed down a bit for a closer look! (Kevin held his breath the entire time I did this!)

Castle Classiebawn Viewpoint

Then it was back on the road! Eventually, green rolling hills unfolded to reveal a massive castle in the distance! Our adventurous minds got the best of us, and I changed our course for Castle Classiebawn! Thanks to Google Maps, we found a gorgeous viewpoint of the castle! Lucky find!

Changing plans like this is all thanks to renting a car and seeing where the roads lead us!

Galway AirBnB

Eventually, our four-hour car ride ended in Galway! After dropping us off at the Airbnb, Bryan went to find parking for our car so we could enjoy the city together!

The Skeff Bar

It's been over two years since Bryan and I visited Galway during our day trip to Ireland's west coast from Dublin. During that trip, we only got a few hours to enjoy Galway, and we promised ourselves that we would return to Ireland and actually stay in Galway- we loved it that much!

Thanks to Jennifer and Kevin's openness to go wherever we wanted, Bryan and I were sure to make Galway an overnight stop for us! With our Airbnb only a 5-minute walk from the center of downtown, we headed to The Skeff Bar, one of our favorites from our first Galway visit in 2023.

Seeing how all of Ireland stops serving food at 5 pm in their pubs, we were quick to order an early dinner (and a Guinness, duh) before playing more cards! The Skeff Bar was just as good as we remembered it to be!

Garavan's Bar

Our second stop of the day was at Bryan's favorite Galway bar from 2023: Garavan's Bar. Bryan has had dreams of owning a Garavan leather chair, but this time around, the pub was packed! We did luck out by snagging the snug, though, so no complaints!

The 'snug' is a small, secluded booth near the pub's main bar that is sectioned off with a private door and window used for receiving your drinks directly from the bartender. Snugs were originally designed as a place for women to drink, because heaven forbid they mingle in "men's areas." But for those Peaky Blinders fans, you know the snug is also a safe place to handle "business deals" that you don't want bar visitors to overhear or see!

Taaffes Bar: Tigh Taaffe

You may notice a theme going on here, but our next stop was at Taaffes Bar, where, you guessed it, it was time for another "Guinny!" With each Guinness ordered, we had another chance to "split the G," meaning you chug from the first sip until you think you have drunk enough for the line of beer to cut right through the Guinness logo on the glass.

Bryan has to admit- I am the G-splitting champion. It's a natural talent and continues to impress my lovely husband, who splits the G about half the time! (Subtle brag!)

Tigh Neachtain

By 8 pm, all the bars are full and the live music has started up! Jennifer and Kevin joined us for one final drink at Tigh Neachtain before heading back to our Airbnb for the night.

The Quays Bar and Restaurant

With the parents headed home, Bryan and I continued our pub crawl through Galway's main stretch. We ended up at The Quays Bar for the majority of the evening, where we sang along to American classics and new Irish tunes.

It must be illegal to play live music and NOT play "Sweet Caroline" at some point in your lineup...I mean, it's always a go-to and gets the crowd hyped! Of course, Bryan and I loved hearing the guitarist sing in Gaelic, while the fiddler killed it!

We had such a good night, I had to film some of it:

O'Connell's Bar

Eventually, we did make our way towards home, but as we passed the final bar Bryan had pinned, we decided to split a final Guinness! When in Galway!

By 11 pm, we were ready for a Spanish dinner (I mean, we did eat at 4:30 pm!), so we decided to grab a kabab at The Charcoal Grill- the only place open that was serving food. It was a good late-night snack before we quietly snuck back into the Airbnb to sleeping parents.

Thursday, August 7: Galway to Limerick to Dingle

We slept in until about 9 am before packing the bags, grabbing a coffee, and getting ready for another day of driving further south!

St. Nicholas' Market

As we got in the car to begin our drive, Jennifer mentioned an open market that had art for sale. She said the magic words, and without any other directions needed, Bryan headed that way so we could take a look! With no parking nearby, Jennifer and I jumped out to look at the art while Kevin and Bryan circled the block.

Long story short, we had a 20-minute detour that resulted in another painting for our collection!

Aura Indian & Thai Cuisine

About two hours into our drive, we reached the city of Limerick, where we decided to stop for lunch. Bryan talked the Johnson parents into Indian for lunch, so we enjoyed a delicious meal of curry and naan!

Atlantic Ocean Viewpoint

On our way from Limerick down to Dingle, of course, we had to stop for views and photos! I'm telling you, Ireland has some of the most beautiful views!

Kevin enjoyed naps along the way, while I found inspirational quotes at our pull-offs to inspire all! You're welcome!

Adams Bar Guesthouse

And then we made it to Dingle!

Most of the time, when you hear that we are staying in the guesthouse of a bar, you think of a trashy hotel room, but sometimes my bookings shock all of us! Adams Bar Guesthouse was a beautiful, spacious hotel on top of the classic Irish Pub down below!

With the car parked and it still being before 5 pm, it was time to find food!

The Dingle Pub

With that name, of course, we had to start at THE Dingle Pub! After ordering drinks, we found a table to play cards and people-watch. The staff ate their early dinner while their families brought in young kids to play in and around the bar while visiting "dad at work!" I'm telling you, these people are living the small-town Irish LIFE!

Adam's Bar

We actually decided to eat dinner at our guesthouse bar, and were impressed by the giant chicken sandwich, fish and chips, and burrito options available!

Foxy John's

Next up on Bryan's list of must-visit bars was Foxy John's. Known for being one of the best pubs in Dingle, Foxy John's is half hardware store-half pub! Need a new hammer? Pick it up while also ordering your Guinness for the evening! I guess when you are a small, rural town on the edge of Ireland's island, your store has to be multi-functional!

Kennedy's Bar

To appease Jennifer's taste buds, the next bar Bryan took us to specializes in cocktails! Jen's espresso martini, Bryan's raspberry mixed drink, and my spicy margarita were a nice change-up in the constant beer scene found in Ireland!

St Mary's Church

What goes well with a good drink? Church.

The doors were unlocked, so we stepped inside Dingle's main church, Saint Mary's, to see the inside of the stone cathedral. It was just as pretty as we imagined on the inside!

Dick Mack's Pub

After visiting the church, I bet you can guess what we did next!

If you guessed another bar, you would be halfway correct- it's also a leather goods store! During the day, you can get your belt or leather wallet here, but in the evenings, it turns into a music-filled bar for locals! Tricked you!

Dick Mack's pub is, according to TikTok, one of the best “nightcaps” in all of Ireland and is known for its great live music.

Don't Believe Us? Check out this TikTok as proof!

We even lucked out AGAIN by snagging the snug! Nothing like a quiet getaway within one of the country's best pubs! I mean, we are living the luckiest life out there.

When you stay at a bar, you aren't allowed to go up to your room without a fresh pint. I mean, there has to be a perk for staying over Adam's Bar, and THIS was it! Bryan and I went in for one final drink, but the place was packed. We ordered. We paid. We took our night's final bev up to our room.

From here, we opened the window and enjoyed the live music from below! My lovely husband even went down to take my picture out the window- I have to say, this place was a killer find and a great place to stay in the heart of Dingle! THAT is the way you end a great night in Ireland!

I couldn't help myself- I had to film this clip and send it to my mom! Cindy Kimble loves Elvis (and a good pint- I get it honest!)

Friday, August 8: Dingle to Kilkenny

We have the morning routine down pat: wake up, get ready, pack the suitcases, and then find coffee!

The Dingle Diner

The four of us enjoyed a delicious breakfast at the Dingle Diner. Since we had a little bit of time before we had to start our day's road trip, we visited a few of the local shops. Jennifer found herself a pair of stylish work boots, while Bryan and I found a few souvineers in Griffin's Gift Shop!

Slea Head Drive:

Dingle is known for being the westernmost "major" town of Ireland, and we knew we had to complete the Slea Head Drive around the peninsula to see the stunning views.

Now we were supposed to do this drive yesterday afternoon, but when I got the email cancelling our Sea Safari boat tour from Dingle, we pushed this drive to this morning. While the boat tour was canceled due to the weather, we feel like the sunny skies and crystal clear waters seemed quite great for a day of sightseeing!

Hold A Baby Lamb

When you see a sign inviting you to hold a Baby Lamb, you don't question it. Especially when it only costs €4 to hold them and €5 to bottle feed them! Jennifer and I were quick to sign up!

During our visit, another family paid for a sheepdog herding demonstration, and we lucked out with seeing this working dog do his thing! Here's Kevin's video of the encounter:

While the sheep we bottle-fed were a little past the "bottle-feeding" age, the babies were only a few months old and ripe for handling. You know I get worried when touristy things involve animals, but these babies are well-fed, loved, and our visit helps support the small farmers in the area who loan out their working dogs and sheep for the interactive experiences.

Jennifer showed off her animal science confidence by hoisting up a "big baby sheep," while I steered towards the soft, small, less-likely-to-kick-me babies! We both had a great time AND neither of us got peed on! Win!

Viewpoint along the Slea Head Drive

I swear every corner we turned (and there were many, many corners) was another viewpoint with stunning cliffs, clear waters, and sunny weather!

Krugers Bar

While I planned a majority of the trip, Bryan did contribute by finding all the bars he wanted to visit: and one was on Slea Head Drive! Krugers Bar is famous for being the "westernmost bar in Europe," and this was the perfect place for lunch!

Visit the westernmost point in mainland Europe ✅ (Portugal with Sabrina and Caleb in 2021)

Visit the westernmost bar in all of Europe ✅ (With the Johnson parents!)

Dunquin Pier: Cé Dhún Chaoin

Another curve in the road, another viewpoint to stop and get photos!

Dingle to Kilkenny

After experiencing the Slea Head Drive, it was time to make our way back inland to Kilkenny! Along the way, we spotted statues and even a horse swimming outside of Dingle!

Sandbury Townhouse

With an overnight in another unique small town, we were quick to figure out parking and make our way to our hotel for the night: this time around, we were greeted by our host and shown to our rooms. He gave us great recommendations for food, places to visit, and things to see, so we were quick to scout out our rooms for the evening and then head out to explore Kilkenny!

Marble City Bar & Tea Rooms

Like the rest of Ireland, dinner is served until 6 pm, at the latest, so we started with a meal at Marble City Bar. The portions were massive, and the dessert was the perfect finishing touch for those of us with a sweet tooth!

Kyteler's Inn

We explored the city and ended up at Bryan's researched pub, Kyteler's Inn. This pub seemed to be decorated for Halloween, but in reality, it was built in the home of the first woman executed for witchcraft in Ireland in 1324, so the staff really leaned into the building's history!

For us, this was a perfect spot to order another Guinny and play cards for the evening!

Saturday, August 9: Rocky Road to Dublin

Cafe La Coco

Our final full day in Ireland began with a killer breakfast at Cafe La Coco. The blueberry pancakes were amazing, and my breakfast toastie was crunchy and perfect! Kevin started his morning like all good vacation days should: with a giant brownie!

Kilkenny Castle

As we wandered the city, we made sure to stop by and explore Kilkenny Castle. While you can pay to enter the castle grounds and gardens, we opted for the handcrafted stores across the street, where Jennifer and I enjoyed checking out all the little creations of the city!

Kilkenny to Dublin

By mid-morning, it was time to make our final drive from Kilkenny to Dublin! A short two-hour drive, and it was time to drop off the car.

Budget Car Rental Dublin City Centre - South

Returning our rental car sounds easy...but it led to quite a big challenge. After forgetting to fill up the tank with gas, Bryan and Kevin rushed off to a nearby gas station, while Jennifer and I stood on the sidewalk with all of our luggage. When they returned, I tried ordering us a Bolt...and then an Uber...and no drivers would pick up our ride...

Since the car return was outside of Dublin's city center, drivers weren't willing to come out to get us, and this left us with one option: public transit WITH all of our luggage. We made it work, but whew- dragging three giant suitcases, four backpacks, and shopping bags onto a public bus for a 30-minute ride around town to our hotel is not for the weak!

Point A Dublin, Parnell Street

Eventually, we made it to our hotel and were able to check in quickly and get into the heart of the city!

Slattery's

Of course, the first thing we needed after our long journey was food! We stumbled into Slattery's and figured this would do for pub food. As we entered, Bryan immediately recognized this place as one of the restaurants that he and I ate at during our first visit to Dublin! What are the chances we would eat in the same restaurant by accident!?!

With food and our first Dublin Guinnesses finished, it was time for some sightseeing! Just walking through the city is fun; Dublin just feels different than any other place in Europe!

St Patrick's Cathedral: Ard-Eaglais Naomh Pádraig

Bryan and I visited this famous church last time we were in Ireland, but things are always more fun with family! With sunny skies and pretty warm temperatures for Ireland, we were happy to see people lounging in the sun along St. Patrick's Cathedral!

The Voyager Bar & Restaurant Dublin

After making a giant loop around Dublin's city center, it was time for dinner and drinks. The Voyager Bar was the perfect spot to enjoy a cocktail (for the parents) and another Guinny for Bryan and I! Each couple split a classic Irish stew as our final meal together in Ireland while battling it out over a game of Hearts.

The Blind Pig Speakeasy

Jennifer's one request on this trip was to visit a Speakeasy, so we made a reservation the day prior and were ready for our time at the Blind Pig! Located in a normal restaurant, this speakeasy was in the basement behind a bookcase! After going down the stairs, you had to push the pig's head for the bookcase to magically move and show us the entrance!

The Blind Pig was the perfect stone hideaway and is the oldest speakeasy in the city. Each of us ordered a unique cocktail and then passed them around so we could each get a taste. Kevin and Jennifer's drinks won out as the favorites, and Bryan snapped photos of the ingredient list so he could try and recreate them back home!

Temple Bar

You can't visit Dublin without visiting THE Temple Bar in the Temple Bar District! With the sun beginning to set, we made our way to the famous red bar to find the place exploding with people and live music!

Jennifer and Kevin didn't want to fight the crowds for a drink, so we snapped a few photos and then continued on.

Slattery's Round Two

Closer to our hotel, we reached Slattery's and our group decided we were still a little hungry, so we went inside for a round two of nachos and French fries to share! (Vacation calories don't count, right?!)

Sunday, August 10: Dublin Day & Home

Sunday morning, Jennifer and Kevin left for the airport at 6 am. Bryan and I met them in the lobby to say our goodbyes before helping them load up their luggage in their Uber. They have a long day of flying ahead of them, but since our flight didn't leave until Sunday evening, Bryan and I headed back to bed for some extra sleep.

Griolladh Arnotts

While Jennifer and Kevin were over the Atlantic Ocean, Bryan and I enjoyed a brunch of toasties at Griolladh Arnotts. We then headed to Temple Bar for their morning opening at 10:30 am.

The Temple Bar

By the time we arrived, The Temple Bar was already packed with customers, and live music was blaring! We were lucky to find a table and decided this was the perfect place for a drink.

Bryan ordered our drinks while I held our table. When he returned, he quickly said we would only be having one drink here- it was over $22 for two Guinnesses- that's American prices! I guess you are paying for the touristy spot, and we fell into the trap!

The Old Storehouse Bar and Restaurant

While Temple Bar is worth the hype for a one-time experience, we were ready to find a place a little quieter to sit and chat. Together, Bryan and I drank our final Guinness in Ireland at the Old Storehouse Bar! This marked Bryan at over three gallons of Guinness on this trip, while I partook in a gallon myself! (Remember, no judgment- it was a vacation!)

With our time in Dublin coming to a close, we headed back to our hotel for our luggage before heading to the airport. We flew back to Sevilla and made it home to these sweet babies around 1 am. Whew!

This was a major trip that Bryan and I have been looking forward to since our first visit to Ireland in 2023. Getting to drive around Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Ireland with his parents was a dream and has brought many memories to all of us!

And boy, did we cram in a lot over these ten days! Just look at our driving distances alone:

Until next time,

--Katie