Saturday, April 25, 2026
Tomorrow, we set out for the Land of Saints and Scholars—Ireland. We’ll be taking advantage of Aer Lingus’s new nonstop service from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Dublin Airport, departing around 8:15 p.m. and touching down at approximately 8:45 the following morning—ready to begin our adventure. In Dublin, we’ll meet up with Jane’s sister, Nancy, and her husband, John, who will be flying in from Philadelphia and arriving a few hours ahead of us.
Our journey together will begin with three nights in Dublin, where we’ll explore some of the city’s most iconic landmarks, including St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Book of Kells, Dublin Castle, the Guinness Storehouse, and Kilmainham Gaol. We’re also planning a full-day excursion to Brú na Bóinne, home to Newgrange—a remarkable Neolithic passage tomb dating to around 3200 B.C., older than both Stonehenge and the pyramids of Giza.
After immersing ourselves in Dublin’s history and culture, we’ll pick up a rental car and set off on a clockwise journey through the Republic of Ireland—saving Northern Ireland for another trip. Our route winds through a series of charming towns and pleasant landscapes, with two to three nights in each stop: Kilkenny, Monkstown (near Cork), Kenmare, Dingle, Doolin, Galway, Westport, and Athlone, before looping back to Dublin for our return flight home.
This itinerary, carefully planned by Jane and Nancy, promises a rich cross-section of Ireland’s landscapes, history, and culture, from medieval cities and colorful coastal villages to ancient monuments and the wild beauty of the Atlantic edge. Along the way, we hope to explore several iconic castles, including Blarney Castle, home to the legendary kissable stone said to bestow the gift of eloquence. We’ll follow some of Ireland’s most scenic drives, such as the Ring of Kerry and the spectacular Slea Head Drive, where each turn reveals sweeping ocean views and rugged cliffs. Natural wonders await at every turn—from the dramatic heights of the Cliffs of Moher to the stark, otherworldly beauty of The Burren, a vast limestone landscape unlike anywhere else in Ireland.
We’re hopeful that these experiences will provide us with an unforgettable journey through the heart and soul of the Emerald Isle.
Waypoints and Tentative Route