St. Patricks Day and Day Trip

So, if you've noticed, I havent written in a bit - sorry!
I was in Dublin last week to experience SPD in all its insane glory, despite everyone telling me to stay in quieter Galway. I didnt listen :)
Dublin was indeed cray. The city was absolutely packed and every single person was wearing green, and every single person was in some form, inebriated. The streets are just packed with people, the ground lined with empty beer bottles and cans, and police are every four steps you take. It was great :)

And it only became more packed, as night arrived.

Hey look, there's me in my obligatory "kiss me, I'm Irish" t-shirt. 

The next day, I went back to the Guinness Factory with some visiting friends where all the other post-SPD celebrators were hanging out. 

After 2 days in Dublin, I went back to calmer Galway, where I was greeted by rainy weather, which hasnt really subsided, since. Such is Ireland :)

But yesterday was a beautiful day, a perfect opportunity to take a day trip out to County Clare and the Cliffs of Moher. 

And the beautiful Cliffs.....

Hey look, there's me at the Cliffs!

We ended the day in Fanore, a city on the coast, which gets as many as 200 beach-goers in the summer!

I had a WONDERFUL day, stopping in so many beautiful small towns, exactly what I love about this country. Its hard to choose between my favorite - Doolin, Fanore, Ballyvaughn, Kinvarra - all were exactly what I had in mind when I envisioned a small Irish town. I hope to take another day trip this week, and post more gorgeous pictures :) 

As I consumed many beers on SPD and saw many castles on my day trip, you have the pleasure of both today. This is Carrig, and Irish craft beer which was quite good! 

And this is the remnants of O'Brien Castle.

See you back here soon and happy birthday, P!

Galway

Well I've been in Galway almost a week now, and I can definitely feel the difference between here and Dublin. Galway is a much smaller, quieter town with virtually no foreigners, except the ones studying in the large college here.
Its a welcome change from the big city, and exactly what I was looking for, in an authentic Irish town. I think I've managed to walk down all the city streets, experiencing the quiet this country has to offer.
One beautiful thing about my suburban flat is that it is right on the water, and I have to walk down the Prom to get to town, a walk I very much look forward to every morning. I've taken some gorgeous pictures on my walks, so enjoy :)

And this unique photo shoot I got to have with some of the local wildlife.

And here are some sights from around the city.

The whole country is abuzz with St Patrick's Day events, everyday for the last few days has brought carnivals and parades, and every night has brought music and drinking. Early tomorrow I head out to Dublin to experience the day at it's craziest. Until then, good Purim!!!

I was taught about this North American beer by my North American bestie Aliza, and like all things she has taught me, it does not disappoint. Had at The King's Head. 

חג שמח!!

Familiar Faces, Part III + Galway Bay

I've been very lucky (in many ways), to have many familiar faces pass through Ireland. Its a great feeling, seeing friends from back home.

After Aliza left, I got to see 3 Tel Aviv friends who were passing through Ireland on their way to London. 

Meira and I

And along with Yosef and Shai, having their first Irish craft beer

While I hope to catch up with them in the next day or two, I headed out the next morning to Galway, to start my new adventure. It seems they were waiting for me :)

Upon arriving to my next home for the month, I was happy to see my accommodations were beautiful, though I have no idea just how prime my location was. This is where I had my coffee + muffin the next morning, which is LITERALLY across the street from my apartment.

Told ya I was lucky. Today I only managed to walk down the Salthill Prom in Galway, as I spent so much time just sitting and watching and snapping pictures, the day just flew by. Tomorrow I will dive deep into Galway City. For now, here are some more gorgeous shots from my long walk by the Bay.

A memorial to the children who died in the Great Famine

The lighthouse in the distance, being the last Irish light many saw, in trying to escape the famine.

Hey look, there's me!

And for today, while it isn't beer, it IS alcoholic, which also counts. An authentic Irish coffee, made to perfection. 

Cant wait to explore the city, I'm already in love with what I've seen so far!

Familiar Faces, Part II

When we last left off, I had the pleasure of taking my visiting friends to Howth. That evening, sadly, Josh went back to Oxbridge, as academics tend to do. But I was left to have a great few days with Aliza.

On Monday after an effortless 5.5K run through Phoenix Park, we chased the gorgeous day to Malahide, another gorgeous seaside town outside Dublin. Quaint and tranquil, its one of those places you never want to leave.

The Harbor

Photo Op!

We strolled through the small town, stopping at the beautiful Malahide Castle and grounds, where we ate our packed lunch in sunny peace. But I really cant describe the tranquility there, you'll have to come here and experience it for yourselves :) That night saw us discovering the hidden gem that is The Cobblestone, practically outside my door! We discovered that a finger of Jameson is locally known as a jaemie, and that Aliza's new favorite drink is a Jameson-Ginger ale-Lime cocktail! Yes, we learned many new cocktails at the Jameson Distillery.

When we woke up, it was to the glorious smell of buttermilk, as it happened to have been Pancake Tuesday. Yes, that's a real (and glorious) thing. 

After a few Museums, passing this amazing sight, 

we went home to rest, as that night we had tickets to see The Head and The Heart.  Apparently there IS a band that I never heard of! But I am grateful that Aliza introduced me to them, as now I am hooked! The venue was a club, famous for hosting up-and-coming bands, and we had a fantastic time, a great way to close out her visit. So thank you for coming to visit, Leez, was so great having you here!!!! You are a true friend :)

And as a special treat, today I have a castle AND a beer!

The beautifully stunning Malahide castle:

And to celebrate Aliza's last night, her pear cider on the left, and Harp, another Irish-brewed beer for me, on the right.

As I leave Dublin tomorrow for a new city and a new adventure, I will be back in a few days with hopefully more stories and more pictures! 

Familiar Faces, Part I

Like I mentioned in my last post, my very good friend from Israel, Aliza, came to visit me last week. Her brother Josh also hopped the river from England and came too. Together with Josh's local Irish friend, we had a fantastic vacation together where I got to play tour guide for my friends.

After being good Yidden and going to shul Friday night, followed by a wonderful dinner by the Rabbi, we hit the town Saturday night so Aliza and Josh could experience an authentically drunk Irish night which consists of a big meal (which includes alcohol, of course), followed by a night of bar-hopping around Temple Bar (which includes alcohol, of course).

The night started at pre-dinner drinks at a hotel

The night continued after dinner at the Porterhouse. Josh, with his friend Shane (R) and Shane's brother Misha

And the girls.....

The night took us to two additional bars after that, but for obvious reasons, no pictures :) 

After a brief coffee stop the next morning, 

Shane and I took them to the beautiful coastal town of Howth I had visited a week earlier. Was too pretty not to go back a second time. 

And then we started our ascent to the gorgeous look-out point. 

And at the top, where apparently Shane sprouts rainbows. 

We had an amazing day with some great sunny weather in the end. Hey, if you wait long enough in Ireland, the suns bound to come out at some point....

So, its a beer this time. At one of  our pub crawl stops, I took a break from the Irish to indulge in my favorite beer of all time - and a Belgian one at that!

I'll be back soon with more familiar faces :)