2025 Europe Travel Series: Part 7 of 8
This chapter of my Ireland journey was pure adventure and it welcomed me with green landscapes, winding roads, and a sense of history that felt alive everywhere I went.
From the moment I arrived, I knew this journey would be exploring castles, coastlines, wild green beauty, and simply letting the road guide me.
Castles Along the Way
July 10
I arrived in Ireland early in the morning, hours before I could check into my Airbnb. Since my stay was about three hours outside of Dublin, the drive was part of the adventure and I decided to stop at as many castles as I could along the way.
But then, Ireland taught me that castles don’t always come with parking lots. Many of the ones I spotted on the map could only be admired from the road but a few stops stood out.
Kilteel Castle was my first castle stop and an awe moment. It sat quietly off the road, I think on a private property. I didn’t go inside. I simply walked around the outside, taking it in from every angle before continuing on. It felt like a quiet introduction to Ireland’s history.
In contrast, Leap Castle was a completely different experience. I was able to walk inside and explore on my own, learning about its dark past… stories of betrayal, violence, and why it’s considered one of Ireland’s most haunted castles. The energy felt heavy and intense, and after walking through it, I was ready to move on.
Surprisingly, Birr Castle became a highlight in a completely unexpected way. The Castle was expansive and stunning. While I couldn’t enter the castle itself without an appointment, I spent time walking the grounds… its gardens, towering trees, a peaceful river, and wide open space. It’s considered one of Ireland’s top attractions, and it was easy to see why.
Walking through the gardens was beautiful on its own, but what truly amazed me was learning about the Leviathan of Parsonstown… a massive 72-inch reflecting telescope built in 1845 by the 3rd Earl of Rosse. At one point, it was the largest telescope in the world, holding that title for decades.
While standing there, surrounded by nature and innovation, I felt the quiet magic of curiosity, discovery, and human imagination woven into the land.
After food shopping and dropping my things at the Airbnb, I had the best pub meal at The Half Barrel… salmon with sweet potatoes. Simple, nourishing, and incredibly flavorful.
Cliffs of Moher & the Wild West Coast
July 11
Driving along the west coast of Ireland, with the North Atlantic Ocean stretching endlessly beside me, felt cinematic. Seeing them in person was far more powerful than any photo or video could capture.
Without a doubt, the Cliffs of Moher were breathtaking. Powerful, immense, and humbling in the best way. Standing there, the breeze in my face, and the ocean below, I felt the raw beauty Ireland is known for. I walked along the cliffs as much as I could, back and forth, taking my time and fully embracing the moment.
After that, I continued driving along the west coast of the North Atlantic Ocean. The drive itself was stunning… endless green landscapes on one side, the ocean stretching out on the other, castle ruins everywhere. Every turn revealed another view that made me pause, breathe, and feel incredibly blessed to be there.
Along the way to dinner, I stopped briefly in Poulsallagh, where I walked among the rocks and watched the waves crash against the cliffs below. The contrast of the green land and deep blue ocean was stunning, especially under the bright, sunny sky.
Before the day ended, I made one final stop at Dunguaire Castle. Though it was closed, I walked the path around it as the sun began to set, the castle standing quietly beside the water. It was peaceful, grounding, and incredibly beautiful.
That day felt magical… cliffs, coastlines, castles, and open roads… a reminder of how powerful it is to experience a place fully, step by step.
Rest & Writing Day
July 12
This day was for rest, as well as for writing, reflecting, and enjoying the simple beauty of the garden. After so much movement, it felt right to rest and let everything settle.
Blarney Castle & the Upside-Down Kiss
July 13
Of course, I visited Blarney Castle and, yes… I kissed the Blarney Stone upside-down to be blessed with the gift for eloquence.
Equal parts tradition, adventure, and humor, it was one of those “you have to do it at least once” experiences. A memory I’ll always smile about.
Beyond the castle itself, the grounds were vast… gardens, woodlands, hidden paths, a lake, and even a poison garden. I wandered through the forest trails, sometimes unsure of where I was headed, but always trusting I’d find my way back. The castle grounds felt alive with history, folklore, and quiet magic.
It was one of those places where time disappears… and curiosity leads the way.
Connemara National Park & Diamond Hill
July 14
Hiking Diamond Hill in Connemara National Park, 1,450 feet of pure magic. The trail got steep, but the views were so worth it. You could see the Twelve Bens, the Atlantic Ocean, and the wild beauty of Connemara National Park. It was one of the most physically rewarding days of the trip and the one Madrid had prepared me for. The views from the top were expansive and peaceful, offering a panoramic glimpse of Ireland’s rugged beauty.
After the hike, I followed the road toward the coast and arrived at Renvyle Beach. The water caught me completely by surprise… clear, luminous, and blue in a way that reminded me of the Florida Keys, except framed by mountains, rocks, and quiet farmland. It felt wild and untouched.
Along the way, I stopped at Kylemore Abbey. I saw the Abbey from Diamond Hill and I wanted to get a closer look. I arrived too late to go inside, but standing before it was enough. A stunning, silent close to an unforgettable day.
Final Castle Stop in Trim
July 15
For my final day in Ireland, I chose to stay in Trim, bringing myself closer to the airport and easing into the journey home. I stayed at the Trim Hotel, directly across from Trim Castle, which made it the perfect place to slow down and explore without rushing.
Trim Castle, which famously served as a filming location for the movie Braveheart, felt like the perfect place to close this chapter… history, strength, and story all meeting in one place.
I spent the day wandering the castle grounds, walking through the town, and visiting St. Mary’s Abbey. Everything felt calm, historic, and quietly grounding… a gentle contrast to the movement of the days before.
It was the kind of ending that didn’t need more adventure… just presence. A soft landing before closing this chapter and heading home.
Closing — The Adventure Chapter
Ireland was a journey through ancient stone, wild coastlines, and open roads. Every castle, every cliff, every mile revealed the depth of the land and its stories.
This was the adventure chapter… filled with beauty, movement, and discovery.
Coming Next — The Final Chapter in the Series
Part 8 — Ireland: The Road That Liberated Me
→ The inner journey behind the drive, the courage, and the freedom I found along the way.
Journal Prompt for You
Where in your life are you being called to explore without needing all the answers first — and what might happen if you trusted the journey anyway?
If you’re ready to live more intentionally, explore your inner world, and get into true alignment with what you desire… my Reiki-infused guided journals are here to support your journey.
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If you missed previous parts of my Europe Travel Series, you can read it here:
Part 1: Iceland: The Beginning of an Adventure →
Part 2: Iceland: The Beginning of Becoming →
Part 3: London: My First True Solo Adventure →
Part 4: London: Where Becoming Met Courage →
Part 5: Madrid: Walking Through Its Doors of Discovery →
Part 6: Madrid: Where Alignment Began to Root →
