Our AAA South Jersey member, Lisa, recently embarked on a dream trip to Ireland, working closely with our AAA Travel Advisors. From exploring the breathtaking landscape of the Rings of Kerry to drinking Guinness at the Guiness Storehouse, her experience was seamless and unforgettable.
If you want to visit the places Lisa visited, do not miss out on our Irish Adventure AAA SJ Exclusive Vacation group trip this October! On our Irish Adventuretrip, our expert AAA South Jersey Travel Department designed an eight-day Ireland itinerary that includes all the must-see attractions. You can relax and focus on the vacation, while all the details are already taken care of. Limited spots remain, so book today and get ready for an incredible Irish Adventure!
Read about Lisa’s perspective on her recent journey.
Galway
Galway was truly a charming city with its cobblestone streets buzzing with energy, colorful storefronts, and the sound of traditional Irish music spilling from cozy pubs. I first visited the beautiful Galway Cathedral, Cathedral of Our Lady, which was built on the site of the former county jail and is situated along the River Corrib. It has a gorgeous Renaissance-style architecture, blending traditional stone craftmanship with stunning stained-glass windows and a towering dome.
I then wandered through the Latin Quarter. Galway is home to the Thomas Dillons Claddagh Ring - Gold Jewellers, who were the original makers of the famous Claddagh ring. The ring symbolizes love, loyalty, and friendship with its distinctive design featuring a heart, hands, and a crown. There were also a few wool markets in the Latin Quarter, so if you are interested in getting wool clothing there are many options! Some of the stores even offered to ship your items back to the U.S. for free if you spent a certain amount.
For dessert, I went to Murphy’s Ice Cream, which has homemade ice cream with rotating flavors! They had flavors like Dingle Gin (made from a local distillery's Gin) and Kieran’s Cookies (which tasted like cookies and cream). They let us try as many samples as we liked, too!
Cliffs of Moher and Doolin
My favorite part of my trip was the Cliffs of Moher! This landmark was truly breathtaking, with dramatic drops into the Atlantic Ocean and endless ocean views, creating such a sense of peace. If you want the best panoramic scenery, I highly recommend heading to O’Brien’s Tower. This is a historic lighthouse-like structure that offers stunning views of the cliffs and the Aran Islands. There were even golfcarts that picked up people who had trouble walking at high altitudes, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable experience for everyone! There were also several stores to shop for souvenirs built on the bottom of the cliffs, which was quite impressive. For lunch, I headed to Doolin, which is a small seaside village. I ate at Fitz’s Pub in Hotel Doolin, and they had a 30-mile menu where everything on the menu was “reared, caught, grown, or produced within a 30-mile radius of [their] restaurant.” They even had their very own Dooliner Beer. I got the seafood chowder here and it was delicious!
Killarney
The town of Killarney was absolutely adorable with its colored storefronts, lively atmosphere, and many Irish pubs! I got to listen to several Irish musicians playing outside and inside the pubs. I actually stood outside a pub and watched a band for almost two hours because they were that good! There was another large wool market here, as well. They too had the option to ship your items back to the U.S. for free if you spent a certain amount. Killarney also has horse-drawn carriages, known as jaunting cars, that offer a traditional way to explore the town and its scenic surroundings!
Ring of Kerry and Dingle Peninsula
The Ring of Kerry is one of those drives that feels like stepping into a postcard, as you wind through Ireland’s highest peaks on one side of the road and a coastline scattered with golden beaches and rocky headland on the other. Along the way, you will see ancient ruins and many sheep!
The Dingle Peninsula is a stunning stretch of rugged coastline, where winding roads lead to awe-inspiring cliffs, sandy beaches, and colorful little villages. I could not believe the color of the Atlantic Ocean here, the water shimmered in shades of deep blue and turquoise, which did not look like our Atlantic Ocean at the Jersey Shore!
Blarney Castle
Blarney Castle is home to the legendary Blarney Stone, said to grant the gift of eloquence to anyone brave enough to kiss it! If you want to kiss the stone, you have to lean over backwards to kiss the castle’s edge. They do have someone sitting down to help you kiss it and to clean the stone after each person kisses it. They will even take a professional photo of you kissing the stone! However, to get up to the top of the tower to kiss the stone, you have to go up and down very narrow and steep stairs. If you do not want to, you do not have to go up to the top of the castle! You can still visit the bottom part of the castle and see the inside rooms. The castle also had a Poison Garden, which was very interesting but definitely eerie! It is a collection of toxic flowers and plant species all carefully curated to remind visitors of nature’s hidden dangers. If you are looking to go on a peaceful walk, the grounds had walking trails with scenic woodlands and gardens. They had a few cute souvenir shops, as well. Overall, this was a beautiful castle!
Dublin
Dublin was such a fun and lively city bursting with history, music, and pubs! I visited St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin’s largest church. It is a stunning Gothic masterpiece that has stood for centuries. Next to the church, St. Patrick’s Park offers a peaceful green escape, perfect for a stroll or quiet reflection in the heart of the city. Another highlight was The Temple Bar Pub! I had a pint of cider there while listening to live Irish music. The musicians had the entire pub singing with them, and it was truly such a great time! The outside of The Temple Bar Pub is unmistakable, with its vibrant red exterior, flower baskets, and twinkling lights lining the brick walls.
You cannot think of Ireland without the world-famous Guinness stout! I went to the Guiness Storehouse and that was an amazing experience. It offers an immersive journey through the history and craft behind Guinness. I got to explore the interactive exhibits, see the brewing process up close, and learn how to properly drink Guinness. You get to go on seven different floors and at the top is the Gravity Bar. This is where you get to drink another sample of your choice of Guinness stout and bask in the beautiful panoramic views of Dublin.
I ate at a really great restaurant in Dublin called The Church Café Bar & Restaurant. This restaurant is in a beautifully restored 17th century church, complete with stain-glass windows and an impressive organ balcony. There is live traditional Irish music and dancing during your dinner which made the experience so much fun! I ate a delicious Irish beef burger there.
Iceland is a land where fire and ice shape the earth in real time, drawing travelers to its waterfalls, geothermal springs, volcanic landscapes, and the possibility of glowing skies. Find out more about our group AAA South Jersey Exclusive Vacation to Iceland.
