Last August, I took my first solo trip. I went to Cork, Ireland. In short, it was amazing. There were emerald green fields as far as the eyes could see, historical gems throughout the cities and cows everywhere.
Traveling by yourself for the first time is definitely a daunting experience. I was so nervous that I would go to the wrong gate or leave Dublin airport through the wrong terminal. However, I made it through the airport without a hitch.
When I landed, I was so taken with Ireland. The trip from Dublin to Cork alone had me in awe. Just being somewhere new had heightened my senses as I drank it all in. I saw how so much of our history was entangled with Irish history. Ireland is truly a country that should be visited more.
My two favorite sights were Kinsale and Blarney Castle, which were located in Cork. The views from Blarney were breathtaking. The hour climb through the castle was definitely worth getting all the way up to the top. I did kiss the Blarney Stone which was definitely an interesting experience. To reach the Blarney Stone you have to lay on your back and pull yourself to the stone using metal bars. I was ready to chicken out as I saw how my head would dangling over the edge, but the experience trumped the fear of heights. Next to Blarney is the Blarney Woolen Mills, the biggest Irish store in the world. I wanted to buy half the shop when I walked in. Intricate sweaters, scarves and Claddagh rings were surrounding me. I couldn’t decide what to buy when I was picking out souvenirs. I went back twice because I couldn’t get enough.
Kinsale is a small fishing town in Cork. In the old Kinsale Bay, the Lusitania that sunk before World War II is at the bottom. There were so many beautifully colored sailboats sitting in the bay. I took a boat tour and I got to see old castles and Charles Fort off the coast of Kinsale. Along with the rich history and amazing seafood, there’s a little shop with fresh popcorn and ninety-nine cent ice creams. To say it was a good deal is an understatement.
A couple of the other places I went to were Cobh and Spike Island. As I took a boat from Cobh to Spike Island, I couldn’t stop taking pictures of the view. The multicolored houses looked so beautiful next to the towers spires of the cathedral.
I was so sad to leave Ireland. I loved the food, people and culture. I was ready to stay forever. I can’t wait to go on my next trip to Ireland to discover more of the Emerald Isle.