For the last post of 2018 I thought I’d share some of my favorite travel moments from the journey I took earlier this year to Ireland and Wales.
There were so many wonderful travel moments that I wasn’t quite sure where to begin.
Some of my favorite moments were visiting the monastic settlement at Clonmacnoise and exploring West Cork — communing with the ancients at Drombeg Stone Circle, walking on the gorgeous Barleycove Beach, taking in Mizen Head and becoming a local in Schull.
I loved kayaking on Glengariff Bay with the seals and exploring more of Kenmare and Killarney National Park.
Spending time out on the Ring of Kerry was amazing, especially taking in Ballinskelligs Ring and seeing Skellig Michael off in the sea.
Exploring the Burren was something I had longed to do, and it was as unique and special as I knew it to be.
One of my absolute favorite travel moments was walking along Silver Strand, otherwise known as AedÃn’s Beach, in County Mayo.
Walking up Diamond Hill in Connemara National Park, discovering Renvyle Peninsula and its stunning beaches and driving through the 12 Bens and the Mamturk mountains always makes me happy.
Connemara is one of my favorite places in Ireland.
Time in Clifden — meeting some of its wonderful people and hearing some incredible music — ranks high on the list too.
Loughcrew Cairns was my favorite travel moment in County Meath as it’s truly an incredible and under visited ancient site.
And spending time with my friend, AedÃn, is always the best part of any trip to Ireland.
As for my time in Wales?
Well the best part was being with my friend, Lynn, often just chatting in her living room with a glass of wine.
Exploring Snowdonia National Park was definitely a highlight.
However, I was really surprised by Anglesey.
The highlight of my time there was definitely watching the sunset at Rhosneigr with Lynn.
But collecting sea glass at Moelfre and birdwatching at Red Wharf Bay are special travel moments too.
There were also many memorable times of chatting with Irish B&B owners, local towns people and other travelers.
Slowing down and taking that time to connect makes for the best travel moments.
So here are loads of images from my favorite travel moments of 2018.
The monastic site of Clonmacnoise in County Offaly. Cool site in a beautiful location along the River Shannon.
Barleycove Beach is a highlight of driving out on Mizen Head Peninsula.
The stunning Mizen Head Peninsula!
Wandering around Schull and finding these ruins was a favorite travel moment for sure.
Taking a gorgeous walk on Cape Clear was one of my favorite travel moments. The views from here are gorgeous!
I love stone circles, so visiting Drombeg Stone Circle in West Cork was one of my favorite travel moments.
Exploring West Cork was a definite highlight. It’s so beautiful!
Exploring one of my favorite places in Ireland — Killarney National Park — is always a highlight.
Walking along a short nature trail in Kiilarney National Park was one of my favorite travel moments.
Driving from Kenmare to Glengariff in the morning was one of the best moments. The sun was still low enough to cast some gorgeous warm light on the mountains and the valley below. Stunning!
Seeing these seals as I kayaked Glengariff Bay was definitely one of the best moments. I just love these guys!!
One of the best travel moments was kayaking Glengariff Bay with Outdoors Ireland.
One of the highlights of driving out the Ring of Kerry was when I met an older gentleman who invited me to drive up to his house for these great views. I hesitated, but drove up. And was greeted by his lovely wife. I told her I had been invited by her husband who returned a few minutes later. I had such a wonderful conversation with them and regret not getting a picture of them. But this was the view from their property.
St Finian’s Beach with Skellig Michael off in the distance. I loved this part of the Ring of Kerry where the tour buses can’t get to!
Watching a sunset from Waterville out on the Ring of Kerry. Just lovely!
Exploring the Burren was a highlight of my time in Ireland. It’s such a cool landscape full of surprises!
Hiking around Mullaghmore in the Burren was so awesome!
Walking on Silver Strand in County Mayo is one of the best travel moments of 2018. I’ve wanted to return here since my first visit in 2007.
Walking from my Airbnb to Silver Strand through the sheep fields was such a treat. I just love how quiet and how beautiful this part of County Mayo is.
So much love for Silver Strand!
Hiking Diamond Hill and meeting some fun Irish folks from a hiking group was one of my favorite moments of this trip.
Driving through Connemara — one of my absolute favorite places in all of Ireland — is always a favorite travel moment. Especially in good weather!
Driving the Renvyle Peninsula was a highlight for sure. It’s so beautiful and not very touristed. Look at these views!
I thoroughly enjoyed walking along the beautiful Renvyle Beach, but when this group of young people went running into the sea and quickly got back out, I was laughing so hard. What a fun travel moment!
Glassillaun Beach is the third beach I came to on my tour of the Renvyle Peninsula and it is absolutely stunning!
I love driving through Connemara. Beauty everywhere!
More Connemara beauty!
Walking from Hillside Lodge into Clifden with these views was one of the best parts of my time in Connemara.
One of my favorite travel moments was running out on Sky Road in Clifden. The sun was still low and some parts of the landscape were still in the shadows. Sky Road is stunning!
While I love so many of the ancient sites in County Meath, Loughcrew Cairns was my favorite. It’s very cool and not as touristed as some other places. And when I got up to this, there was a man playing some sort of wind wood instrument that was just so fitting. A travel moment for sure!
Seeing puffins out in the sea off the coast of Wales. Fabulous travel moment!
Spending time in Snowdonia National Park with Lynn. Stunning park.
Snowdon Peak in Wales. Definitely a highlight!
Beddgelert is one of the charming villages that lie within Snowdonia National Park. What a beautiful village!
I never grew tired of looking at Menai Bridge as it spans the Menai Straight. But seeing it in the evening with its lights on and the mountains in the dusky light was definitely one of the best travel moments.
Birdwatching at Red Wharf Bay in Anglesey, Wales. Very cool!
As Lynn and I wandered the little rocky beach, searching for sea glass, this sailboat moored just offshore, looked so cool in the foggy weather. Definitely a wonderful travel moment.
Sunset at Rhosneigr has to be my favorite travel moment from Wales. I was with my friend and it was such a surprise to see this cute town, with its rocky beach and to take in a sunset.
On my final night in Wales, Lynn took me to Penmon Lighthouse. I remember we met a very interesting man from Liverpool, England. Another fabulous travel moment!
Awesome pics Lynne! Ireland looks wonderful. For how many days you had been there? Hopefully I will visit it soon.
Thanks Deepa. I was there for about 6 weeks on this last trip. Then about 2 weeks in Wales. But 2 weeks is a nice amount of time to begin with Ireland. It’s a beautiful country for sure!