Ireland, Europe (2019)

An unusual part of the city tour through the city of Dublin in Ireland was a visit to Croke Park stadium. Croke Park is headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) and home of Ireland's premier concert and events venue. The trophy stand looked quite impressive.

Visiting Croke Park stadium in the city of Dublin in Ireland was overwhelming. The stadium is huge, especially when you get to see it when it's empty. On a busy day it can host up to 82.300 spectators.

It's not often that we get the chance to have a leasurely walk on top of a stadium. Since Croke Park stadium in the city of Dublin in Ireland offered that as a possibility we took that opportunity. Walking the skyline of the stadium provided us with some nice views over the city of Dublin.

Visiting the Teeling distillery in the city of Dublin, Ireland, the only whisky distillery in the city. We had an interesting tour explaining the complex process of making whisky. Alison, Natalie & Rebecca, are the three beautiful Pot Stills named after Jack Teeling's daughters. Definitely worth a visit and see them up close, they're a sight to behold!

Visiting the Irish National Stud near the town of Tully in County Kildare, Ireland was quite impressive. We learned that breeding quality race horses is a multi million dollar business. Their best stallions are worth many millions of dollars. Each stallion has his own paddock and are treated very well.

We were approached by a friendly and cute horse while walking on the grounds of the Irish National Stud near the town of Tully in County Kildare, Ireland. Such a cutie!

The Irish National Stud near the town of Tully in County Kildare, Ireland takes care of many horses. This obviously means that lots and lots of hay bales are required. Luckily they seem to have plenty in stock in this barn.

At the end of our walks on the grounds of the Irish National Stud near the town of Tully in Ireland, we saw St. Fiachra's Garden. The garden commemorates St. Fiachra, the patron saint of gardeners. It provides a perfect partner to the Irish National Stud’s Japanese Gardens while, at the same time, opening up a wholly different yet equally satisfying experience.

On our way towards Killarney in County Kerry we stopped at King John's castle in the town of Limerick, Ireland. Although the site dates back to 922 when the Vikings lived here, the castle itself was built on the orders of King John of England in 1200. One of the best preserved Norman castles in Europe, the walls, towers and fortifications remain today and are truly worth visiting. We went in through the gatehouse and walked on the walls.

Looking down from the battlements on King John's castle in the town of Limerick in Ireland. Next to the castle was a shopping street and we liked this 'Castle antiques' shop.

We were very pleasantly surprised when we had arrived at the Lake hotel near the town of Killarney in Ireland. The view we had was truly magnificent, looking over the lake and Castlelough castle near the hotel.

Walking towards the Castlelough castle near the Lake hotel in the town of Killarney, Ireland. The castle is also known as Castle Lough or McCarthy Mor Castle and lies on a low promontory (once an island) in Lough Leane.

It was low tide when we arrived at Inch Beach in County Kerry, Ireland. Inch Beach is a long sand spit backed by a dune system reaching into Dingle Bay. Great place to stare into the ocean and muse about life.

We had some time to spend on Inch Beach in County Kerry, Ireland. I went on the beach and loved the cloud reflections in the wet sand. Exceptionally beautiful day we were told by our guides.

We love colours and shopping in the town of Dingle in County Kerry, Ireland gave us what we loved. Colourful shopping in Dingle was truly delightful.

Griffin's is just one of the many colourful shops we encountered while shopping in the lovely town of Dingle in County Kerry, Ireland.

We arrived at the Slea Head viewing point in County Kerry, Ireland on a beautiful sunny day. We could really see ourselves living here with views like this.

Looking at the rippling ocean from the scenic viewpoint at Slea Head in County Kerry, Ireland. According to our guides we were so lucky with the weather, even they had not seen such clear conditions here. It sure looked pretty.

The bay at Clogher Strand near Clogher Head in County Kerry, Ireland. Fantastic place where we had some time for a short walk along the cliffs, admiring the views of the bay.

While strolling through the streets of the town of Dingle on the Dingle peninsula we stumbled upon the County Fair. Apparently an annual event in County Kerry, Ireland. Apart from the unavoidable stalls with knick knacks they hosted a small bird show. Not really our thing to be honest, but the birds were undeniably magnificent, like this lovely barn owl.

This beautiful hawk was one of the bigger birds on the County Fair in the town of Dingle in County Kerry, Ireland. Normally we are not a fan of going to events like this as we do not like animals in captivity, kept for the amusement of others. In this case we made an exception as we were already at the County Fair and these birds could not be avoided.

We loved admiring this owl on the County Fair in the town of Dingle on the Dingle peninsula in County Kerry, Ireland. Looking straight into the eyes was a weird experience. It's a very intense look. Awesome bird though.

The highlight of the bird show on the County Fair in the town of Dingle was this golden eagle. Stunning bird. The County Fair in Dingle is held every year in County Kerry in Ireland.

This peaceful corner of Lough Leane is near the Lake hotel in the town of Killarney in Ireland. Most beautiful hotel we stayed at during this trip.

Visiting Muckross House near the town of Killarney in Ireland. Muckross House is considered a focal point in the stunning Killarney National Park, the oldest national park in Ireland. It is definitely recommended to take the tour inside the house.

So many rhododendrons at the side of the perfectly mowed lawns in the gardens around Muckross House, Killarney, Ireland). We didn't have that much time but one could spend hours in these gardens.

While walking around in the gardens surrounding Muckross House near the town of Killarney in Ireland, we came across this lovely hidden path. We had to make sure to walk carefully as the stepping stones were pretty uneven.

Enjoying a pleasant jaunting car ride in Killarney National Park near the town of Killarney in Ireland. This fallen tree certainly got out attention. We have no idea how it had fallen but we suspect a recent storm.

Crossing the Deenagh river in Killarney National Park in County Killarney, Ireland while comfortably sitting in the horse-drawn jaunting car. Lovely day for a ride in this beautiful park.

Arriving at the Ballyseede Castle hotel near the town of Tralee in County Kerry, Ireland. The entrance to the castle looked very inviting. After enjoying a drink or two we were treated to the second concert of the Celtic Tenors in this lovely castle.

After we had some drinks at the Ballyseede Castle hotel we went outside into the garden, walking towards the gazebo. The castle and grounds are located near the town of Tralee in County Kerry, Ireland. It was a delight to be here.

We were happy that the Cliffs of Moher in County Clare, Ireland were included in this trip. Even though the weather was a little bit foggy the high cliffs looked truly amazing. I did not walk all the way to the end but made it to the second high cliff.

They were very hard to spot, but there were thousands of birds on the ridges of the Cliffs of Moher in County Clare, Ireland. Lovely to see them flying away and coming back with food for their young.

It's always amazing to life finding its way. These little yellow flowers trying very hard to reach some sunlight at the glaciokarst landscape at The Burren near the village of Oughtdarra in County Clare, Ireland.

Glaciokarst is a karst landscape that was glaciated during the cold periods of the Pleistocene and displays major landforms of glacial influence. It was great to visit the glaciokarst landscape at The Burren near the village of Oughtdarra in County Clare, Ireland.

I just love, love walking around in rocky places like this. Rocks are fascinating and I can never resist climbing a few. So, these photogenic rocks at The Burren near the village of Oughtdarra in County Clare, Ireland were heaven on Earth for me.

An Púcán is just one of the many pubs / restaurants in the city of Galway in Ireland. We did not go in but loved the colour.

Shopping a bit in the city of Galway in Ireland. Lots of quaint little shops and restaurants. Couldn't resist laughing at this shop that decorated its window with lots of teacups.

The Killary Fjord near the small community of Leenaun in County Galway, Ireland. Beautiful part of the Connemara National Park and a gorgeous fjord leading towards the Atlantic Ocean.

We really looked forward to this nice trip on the Killary Fjord, part of the Connemara National Park in Ireland. The huge catamaran we were going with was anchored at Nancys Point in the small community of Leenaun. Never had to enter a boat this way.

On our way to visit Kylemore abbey on the Renvyle peninsula in County Galway, Ireland. Stunning piece of architecture in an equally stunning location. We spent quite some time both inside and outside of this beautiful historic place.

After visiting Kylemore abbey on the Renvyle peninsula in County Galway, Ireland we strolled around the nearby lake. Lovely to see this lightpost, lighting up the lake.