I n August of 2014, nineteen Adventure Travelers took a

tour of Ireland. We joined others from various places

around the world on a tour run by C-I-E Tours

International. When I returned home to Michigan I was asked,

“How was your trip? Did you have a good time? What did you

like the most? My immediate answer was “Great! Yes, It was

a nice tour”, which is a rather feeble answer to a probing

question. It made me think, what did I like the most about it?

After some thought and a little difficulty remembering the

entire trip, I have come up with my impressions of Ireland.

What I liked and what I didn’t like so much. Others of course

may have a much different view but that’s not unusual.

1. I was very pleased with the pre-trip day tour on the train

which nine of us took before the C-I-E tour began. The

train ride was super smooth and the view of the eastern

coastline was beautiful. After the train, we boarded a small

bus and travelled inland and saw a woolen mill, an ancient

monastery, and probably my favorite scenic spot, a lake in

Glendalough, nestled in the Wicklow Mountains. The

wind blowing through the valley and across the lake

invigorated my spirit - the highlight of our first day.

2. Dublin was a nice city, if you like cities. In general, when

I travel I’m most appreciative of the time I am not in a big

city. I thought the river cruise we took was mediocre but

the visit to the Trinity College library was great. The food

in Dublin was good but a little expensive. The tour

through the jail was interesting. The hop-on, hop-off bus

only got us back to the hotel because we never hopped-off.

3. A pleasant discovery in Dublin were

Guinness Beer and Jameson whiskey. I’ll be

a lifelong fan of both. The evening dinner,

music and dance program at

Jameson was an evening to

remember.

Impressions of Ireland

Adventure 2000

View From The Deck

The Wicklow Mountaineer

Glendalough (valley of the two lakes)

Trinity College Library

4. I really liked our driver guide Bob. I thought he was

awesome. He must surely have kissed the Blarney Stone

because he has a eloquent “gift of gab”. I really enjoyed his

narration along the route. His jokes and stories made the

time pass more quickly as we rolled though the Irish

countryside. I only wish there had been a place to plug in

headphones so that I could have heard it all. We seniors do

not pick everything up as well as those with younger ears.

5. The stops at Waterford, Cork (and Belleek) were ok but I

was unimpressed. I thought the farm stop, where we

enjoyed tea and sweets, was enjoyable and informative.

Having been raised on a farm it was nice to see what an

Irish farm was like. The owner gave a nice talk about his

farm.

6. Blarney Castle was a good stop. The gardens were beautiful

and pleasant, but I’m told I missed the good part. My

daughter and others told of an area behind the castle filled

with interesting sights. If I had been more mobile I may

have found it too. The Blarney Woolen Mill store was

impressive, if you like shopping. Normally I don’t shop

while on vacation but I did walk far enough into the store to

purchase an Irish music CD.

7. The dingle peninsula was very scenic and I especially

enjoyed the ride in a horse drawn Jaunting car through

Killarney National Park to Ross Castle.

8. The Quiet Man tour brought

back memories of one of my

favorite movies, and although the

guide did a very good job keeping

everyone entertained, I only give it

an OK rating - because I don’t

like audience participation events.

I just like to look and listen, which

is what I did from a distance. I was

worried that since I had a cane, I

was going to be chosen for the

dying man part.

Impressions of Ireland

Adventure 2000

View From The Deck

Horse drawn Jaunting Car in Killarney National Park

Driver / Guide

Bob

Tea & scones on the farm

9. The Cliffs of Moher were impressive, how could anyone

object to having a chance to see them. However, if I had

my choice between the Cliffs of Moher and the white

sandy beaches on the Connemara loop, I would have

chosen to walk the beaches. This is not a complaint mind

you, just an observation and after all, we did see a beach at

Galway. Galway by the way, was one of my favorite

hotels. Probable because of the view from our window

which provided me a nice picture of a double rainbow.

10. The city tour in Derry was well done and I enjoyed the

narration the guide gave of the conflict the city has gone

through. The trip that followed to the Giants Causeway

was worth the drive but I was not pleased with the crowds.

What should have been a true nature event became a

crowded tourist attraction. Why can’t those other people

just stay home?

11. My rating of the Titanic Belfast experience suffered a

similar fate by being overcrowded. Our tour of this great

exhibit began on a good note but soon the crowds arrived

and the fun was over - viewing space was reduced to

elbow room only. I can’t say I really enjoyed the exhibit

because of its size, and the large number of people trying

to see what was there. I think I missed a lot of it.

12. The visit to the Boyne Valley Visitor Centre & Knowth Tomb

was interesting, but from my perspective the design of the area

was flawed. The long walk to get to the visitor center was one

thing but why another long walk to get to the shuttle? If people

would just learn to consult me before they design these things

they would have much happier tourists.

13. The final nights stay at the Cabra Castle Hotel was simply great.

Our room was fit for a king & queen, even though it once was a

blacksmiths quarters. The meal and the after dinner performance

by Irish dancers was also great. I enjoyed it immensely.

14. Even though everything was not perfect, I have to

give this tour a very high rating. The hotels were

outstanding, the guide was superb, the food was

wonderful, and the route was well thought out.

I also loved the Sheep Dog Demonstration.

Impressions of Ireland

Adventure 2000

View From The Deck

Cliffs of Moher

View from our Galway Hotel room

Cabra Castle Hotel