Week 7: Wandering Ireland

This past weekend was incredibly eventful and full of exciting experiences. On Saturday, we went on a day trip to the Celtic Boyne Valley, which was both educational and adventurous. We visited several historical sites throughout the valley, each with a unique story and cultural significance. Learning about the ancient history behind these locations enriched the entire experience. The landscape was stunning, although the hills were somewhat challenging to climb. The ground was slippery in places, and the hike up was long and tiring, but the view from the top made it worth the effort. We paused at the summit to take the scenery, rest, and snap photos.

After exploring the Boyne Valley, we stopped for dinner at an excellent noodle restaurant in Dublin. I ordered the beef noodles, which was hands down one of the best meals I’ve had since arriving. The place was extremely busy when we got there—we had to wait a while before getting a table—but it was absolutely worth it. The food was rich, flavorful, and comforting after walking and hiking.

Then on Monday, we went on another day trip, to Howth. We did a cliff walk that I hadn’t expected was so physically demanding, but it was one of the trip’s highlights. The hike involved a lot of uphill walking and navigating narrow, overgrown paths filled with dense vegetation. Although parts were tough to get through, the overall experience was incredible. At the top of the cliffs, the view of the ocean and coastline was breathtaking. We took many photos and enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere.

After the hike, we wandered around the town looking for a café and explored several souvenir shops. Eventually, we found a path with many restaurants on it and settled on a seafood restaurant for lunch. I had fish and chips—a classic dish I had been craving for a while—and it was the best I’ve had in Dublin.

The return trip on the Dart was a bit chaotic, as we accidentally got off at an earlier stop and had to switch to another bus, which made the journey home much longer than expected. Despite that, it was a weekend with great memories and experiences.