avatarLinda Ng

Summary

The web content is a travelogue detailing the author's visit to eight additional attractions in Ireland, following up on a previous story.

Abstract

The article titled "Here Are 8 More Awesome Places I Visited in Ireland — Part 2" is a continuation of the author's travel experiences in Ireland, showcasing the beauty and culture of the country through personal anecdotes and photographs. The attractions visited include the Dingle Peninsula, Kerry Bog Village, Torc Waterfall, The English Market, Guinness Factory, Garnish Island, and Glendalough. The author shares the disappointment of not seeing Fungie the dolphin, the joy of encountering bog ponies, and the educational experience at the Guinness Factory. The narrative is punctuated with practical tips, such as visiting Torc Waterfall early to avoid crowds, and the author's personal reflections on the history and significance of each location.

Opinions

  • The author expresses sadness over the disappearance of Fungie, the Dingle Dolphin, considering it a missed opportunity.
  • The colorful houses and delicious food in Dingle are highlighted as memorable aspects of the trip.
  • Kerry Bog Village's historical significance and the presence of bog ponies are particularly noted as enjoyable experiences.
  • Torc Waterfall is described as a popular and picturesque tourist spot worth visiting despite the potential crowds.
  • The English Market in Cork is praised for its variety of food options and its status as one of the oldest markets in Europe.
  • The Guinness Factory tour is recommended even for non-drinkers, with the tasting test and the opportunity to pour one's own pint mentioned as unique experiences.
  • Garnish Island is portrayed as a serene location with the chance to see seals, making it a worthwhile visit.
  • Glendalough is recognized for its historical importance as a monastic site and for the survivability of its ancient buildings.
  • The author concludes with a personal endorsement of Ireland as a travel destination, reflecting on the lasting impact of the trip and inviting readers to share their own experiences or aspirations to visit Ireland.

TRAVEL

Here Are 8 More Awesome Places I Visited in Ireland — Part 2

You read my Part 1 story on Ireland, right? I knew you didn’t get enough of this beautiful place. Here is Part 2!

It’s no joke. Ireland is really THIS beautiful! Photo by Evan White

You’ve read Part 1 of this story, right? One story isn’t enough to share all my wonderful adventures in Ireland. That’s right. Here is Part 2 to satisfy your craving for more beautiful photos!

1 — Dingle Peninsula

Were you looking for stunning scenery? You really don’t have to look far in Ireland! Dingle Peninsula is in the northernmost peninsulas of County Kerry.¹ You won’t be disappointed with nature.

Dingle is also home to Fungie, the Dingle Dolphin. We went out on a boat to spot Fungie, but we were out of luck. I don’t think I’ll get a chance to see Fungie. According to Wikipedia, Fungie disappeared in 2020. It is assumed he has died.² 😭

All photos provided by Linda Ng

Although I didn’t get to see Fungie, I still immensely enjoyed exploring Dingle. There are plenty of great photo spots. And check out the colourful houses. That’s also my delicious lunch!

The houses really caught my eye. And the fries hehehe..my favourite! (photos provided by Linda Ng)

2 — Kerry Bog Village

If you like museums, make a stop by Kerry Bog Village. It’s an open-air museum situated in west County Kerry.³ You’ll find cool thatched houses and see how people lived in the 19th century.

The highlight for me were the bog ponies! Too cute! 🐴

Check out the ponies! They are adorable! (photos provided by Linda Ng)

3 — Torc Waterfall

Looking for more scenery? A beautiful waterfall certainly fits the bill!

Torc Waterfall is in along the Ring of Kerry, just outside Killarney National Park.⁴ It’s not a huge waterfall, but it’s a very popular tourist spot. Get there as early as possible to beat the crowd and snap some photos!

That’s me along the way to Torc Waterfall. I think I was a bit cold, haha! (photos provided by Linda Ng)

4 — The English Market

There’s not only stunning scenery in Ireland. You can check out unique markets too.

The English Market in Cork is one of the oldest markets in Europe! In this unique 18th century market, you’ll find an impressive selection of food. Cheese, cured meats, exotic seafood, or sandwiches, you’ll definitely find something that’s right for you.⁵

I’m ready! (photo provided by Linda Ng)

5 — Guinness Factory

You were waiting for this, right? I won’t disappoint you like that! I don’t drink, but I still found the Guinness Factory a great experience. You can go through a tasting test and also pour your own pint. I never did that before!

I had the fabulous opportunity to visit the Guinness Factory in Dublin. As expected, this is a popular attraction among tourists. There was a bit of a line-up to get inside, but it was worth the wait. It will take just under two hours to explore the entire factory. I learned that there are four key ingredients to make beer, which are water, barley, hops and yeast.

Fun Fact — Did you know that there is a 9000 year lease on the site for the brewery? WOW!⁶

There’s me trying a taste test. I also tried out those Guinness chips. They were just ok for me lol (photos provided by Linda Ng)

6 — Garnish Island

In West Cork, you can find the quaint Garnish Island. Someone said you can see seals there, so I didn’t need to be convinced to go really. And I did see so many seals! There’s also a Did someone say seals? I’m there!

You can explore the island in about two hours. Admire the seals and check out the gardens while you’re there.

We were so lucky because we were the only ones that were on the boat to the island! I could sit anywhere I wanted haha! And of course, the cute seals! (photos provided by Linda Ng)

7 — Glendalough

Glendalough is one of the most important monastic sites in Ireland. It was founded by St. Kevin in the 6th century.⁷ Today, there are many buildings there that have survived attacks by Vikings. If you take a tour, you can allot about an hour. If you decide to do more exploring on your own, you can easily spend up to 3 hours here.

There were quite a lot of people when we visited. (photo provided by Linda Ng)

I hope you enjoyed this two part story about my trip to Ireland. Even though I visited about 6 years ago, I still think about all the wonderful experiences I had there.

Have you visited Ireland before? After reading my stories, do you want to visit it now?

If you missed Part 1 of this story, check it out here!

Sources

  1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dingle_Peninsula
  2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fungie
  3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kerry_Bog_Village
  4. https://www.theirishroadtrip.com/torc-waterfall-ireland/
  5. https://xyuandbeyond.com/english-market-cork-ireland/
  6. https://www.irelandwithlocals.com/the-guinness-storehouse-facts/
  7. https://visitwicklow.ie/listing/glendalough-monastic-city/
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