Ireland

Driving the Ring of Kerry in Ireland is an amazing experience! In June 2017 my family took a two-week driving trip throughout Ireland, and it included this road from Portmagee to Dingle. (For more about our trip, please visit my Ireland Travel Guide.)   For those who don't know, Portmagee is where you can catch a boat out to see Skellig...

One of the best things to do near Dublin is to visit the archeology sites of Bru na Boinne (aka the Brú na Bóinne World Heritage site). When my family recently flew to Ireland for a two-week vacation, we decided to drive the 25 miles (40 kilometers) there from the Dublin airport on Day 1 since we couldn’t check...

Newgrange and Knowth are two of the main archeology sites in Bru na Boinne, or the Boyne Valley, in Ireland. This valley is located 25 miles (or 40 km) from the airport in Dublin, and is full of Stone Age artifacts and architecture. In particular, there are incredible passage tombs, which I’ve described below. For a full guide to visiting these...

When my family headed to Kilkenny Ireland, in June 2017, I was so excited because I'd heard it's a great town. We were coming from our visit to the Bru na Boinne archeology sites and our stay at the Powerscourt Hotel. I discovered that Kilkenny is so nice, I couldn’t resist putting together this ultimate guide to the town so I...

One of my family’s favorite excursions in Ireland is driving to Glendalough (pronounced “Glendalock”). It’s located in the Wicklow Mountains National Park, 90 minutes south of Dublin in County Wicklow. The name means “valley of the two lakes,” and it’s one of the most beautiful drives I’ve ever taken! Considering I lived in Chianti, Italy, for five years, that...

If you’re looking to spoil yourself with a luxurious dose of Irish country manor house, the five-star Powerscourt Hotel Resort & Spa is the place to be. Located in Wicklow County, it’s an easy 15 miles (25 km) south of Dublin; 91 miles (146 km) from Kilkenny; and 112 miles (180 km) from the Rock of Cashel. It's a...

Ireland towns and villages include sandy beaches, archeological sites, hilly streets, and Irish castles dating back centuries. One thing they all have in common is a slew of friendly pubs where weary travelers can rest their feet and enjoy a meal! You really can't go wrong, but there are some that stand out on travelers' lists. >ALSO: Check out my...

The Rock of Cashel — or Carraig Phádraig — is one of Ireland’s top attractions. Located beside Cashel town, in County Tipperary on a walled plateau, it also goes by the names of Cashel of the Kings and St. Patrick’s Rock. Just looking at the photo makes me want to start climbing! The Rock of Cashel is about 20 kilometers (almost 13 miles)...

There are tons of Kilkenny hotels and B&Bs you can stay in during your trip to Ireland. The ones I've listed here generally get 4 or 5 stars consistently from travelers. How you choose where to stay obviously comes down to price. But it also comes down to style. In Kilkenny you'll find everything from very traditional rooms to extremely...