DAY #3 (WEDNESDAY) - Kinsale and golf at OLD HEAD

Flash is picking us up at 8:30am to drive us to Kinsale, Ireland.  We're staying in Kinsale at The Trident Hotel, but we're playing golf at one of the finest golf courses in Ireland - Old Head.

More after our day on the links.

UPDATE:

Wow- what a day!  We drove down with Flash and arrived just in time to change, hit a few on the driving range and meet our caddies, Ray and Roger.  We teed off around 12:30pm.  There are no accurate words to describe the beauty and grandeur of Old Head.

Walking with Roger and Karen to the next hole:

 Ray trying to coax me on how to hit this shot without falling off the cliff:

 Roger figuring out the lie for Brian:

Just unbelievable views from every hole!

Brian getting ready to sink his putt!

 Sadly our round is close to an end on this hole:

Post golf rewards:

 After a long day of golf we relaxed at Old Head and had dinner (including some Guinness stew - the best in the world!) and drinks and lots of laughs for hours and hours!  Right before we were leaving to finally check into our hotel around 10PM, we ran into neighbors from home who are here playing golf around Ireland before the GT game:

We then went to the hotel, unloaded our baggage and headed to a pub for a nightcap and recap of our day.  What an amazing experience for me - never thought I'd have the confidence to play a course of this stature much less with a caddie assisting me along the way.  It was a fabulous day and one that I won't forget.

Tomorrow it's another 18 holes for the guys while I go for a run in Kinsale and then Karen and I head off to explore.  The weather's been fabulous (not a drop of rain and warm - at least for Ireland).  Saturday's game however is not looking "ideal" - but I'll think about that tomorrow.....

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DAY #2 (TUESDAY) - Road trip across the coast to the Cliffs of Moher

We are up after a much needed 8+ hours of sleep and are about to head out for our trip to the other side of Ireland.  Jet-lag is in full gear as it's about 2AM Atlanta time.  But we're forging ahead because we have so little time here!

More upon our return....

The Cliffs of Moher

The Cliffs of Moher are located at the southwestern edge of the Burren region in County Clare, Ireland.

UPDATE!

Back from an unbelievable day to the other coast of Ireland - what an amazing day!We drove over from Dublin all the way across the country to Galway and the Cliffs.  Returning, we went through Ennis and Limerick, which was more scenic along the way.

Our driver, James, was prompt, picking us up at the hotel right at 9:00am.  He was adorable - had a great personality and was so much fun!  He is planning on proposing to his girlfriend this coming weekend - we discussed the plan and his options.  So much fun since I'm in the middle of planning my daughter and her fiance's upcoming wedding.

A few pics of the day:

Here's the super comfy "coach" that picked us up.  We made the arrangements through Paddywagon (http://www.paddywagontours.com).  You can book a private driver like we did or can go with a group.  They were highly recommended and did not disappoint.

We stopped along the way for a cappuccino and "break" in this quite Irish town.

The tide was out so this sailboat was on dry land.

The smallest castle in Ireland or known as the leprechaun castle:

A friend walks right in front of our van and then slowly trots to our right:

Considered the baby or the mini cliffs before you get to THE Cliffs of Moher:

 We stopped with James, our driver, at Fitzpatrick's - fabulous little stop for seafood caught that morning.  We had salmon, fish chowder and a local red ale - all amazing! In Burren:

 Salmon with brown bread and that Irish butter = yum!

 That FISH CHOWDER!

So we decided to see the cliffs FIRST by boat - Doug and I are both happier if we can be on the water at some point of a vacation or trip.

Awaiting our boat's arrival:

We board the boat in wind but sun:

Nearing the cliffs as dark clouds loom overhead:

The part of the cliffs that supposedly look like a witch's head:

O'Brien's tower way way way up there:

It wasn't raining, but that wind!  Felt like I was back in Chicago with Ross!

Glamour shot:

 A pic of our vessel:

Then we drove another 15 minutes or so up to the top off the cliffs to see the view from above. It's a hike to get to the spot where you see everything for miles, but it's oh, so worth it.  Just incredible views!

Another group below us is on the boat looking up at us on the cliffs:

 A selfie as we're heading up:

 Watch your step!  They lose sometimes 2 people a month that step too close to the ledges!

O'Brien's Tower in the distance:

 Cliffs on the right, and Kerry on the left:

 Last stop on the way back to Dublin - Bunratty's Castle and a bite at Durty Nellie's Pub!

Bunratty Castle is a large 15th-century tower house in County Clare. It is located in the middle of Bunratty village, between Limerick and Ennis. Most of the village is from the 19th century.

 Durty Nelly's -a 400 year old pub that is out of this world!

Great oysters that James recommended - served with loads of lemon, tabasco and worcestershire. And that BROWN BREAD - omg!

I HAD to have some fish and chips while here - served with malt vinegar naturally. #mydietstartstomorrow

They were prepared perfectly!

We're back at our hotel now and gearing up for tomorrow before heading out and walking around a bit more tonight.  We leave for Kinsale early tomorrow morning, and we have a 12:30pm tee time at Old Head.  We'll stay in Kinsale the next 2 nights before returning to Dublin and getting ready for some FOOTBALL!

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