Our Honeymoon in Ireland Video Clips

Video Clips from our Honeymoon in Ireland

This is a quick compilation of the videos we took on our trips, the pictures and a really cool song from John Smith my new favorite Irish-American Musician! Johns music can be found at www.johnsmithmusic.com!

Cliffs of Moher - Talking Telescope

The Talking Telescope

From the Cliffs of Moher

County Clare, Ireland

 

What a view we have here. The cliffs stretch for miles and the view just extends off into the atlantic ocean. The scene represents so much of Irish lifestyle and heritage. The jagged weather, the roughness, the smashing of waves against the ever standing Irish coastline. This is a must stop tourist attraction of wonderful natural beauty. Like nothing I have ever seen before, except perhaps Cape Hope in South Africa. Yet this place holds more meaning and a deeper connection due to my Irish Heritage.

Road Signs of Ireland & Pub Signs of Ireland

The road signs of Ireland are usually there when you need them at some point during your trip but they are certainly not consistent. I heard on the radio many of Ireland's road signs have actually been stolen and they end up in Pubs around the world. It's becoming a big problem and since the road signs are so cluttered to begin with it must be difficult to report when and where, which sign was stolen.

If your going to make your way to historical sites like the Drombeg Stone Circle or Healey Pass your going to need a little faith and hopefully a Smart Phone.

Here is an interesting sign you will find at the beginning of the ring of kerry (coming from Kenmare).

Wander into the forest down a little path and you come to your next sign. Faith is key here...

The Drombeg circle is a great example... this is the first group of signs that you will see off of N71 where you should turn for the Drombeg Stone Circle no matter which direction your coming from. 

But if you didn't know that Glandore was on the way there is no sign for Drombeg much less the ever famous Drombeg circle.

This is the next sign you will pass but its a couple of miles where you wonder "am I going the right way?" before this reassuring sign here.

Ireland also has some very funny unique signs I wanted to record such as this one from the Cliffs of Moher.

I would assume this sign means don't walk on fire? Or maybe no cooking seagulls while warming your wet feet?

This sign in Ireland is pretty great. If you didn't know your at the cliffs of Moher, they are next to the ocean. There is a castle on top and they are that way. I suppose it could help in a heavy, heavy, fog...

This is your average crossing sign . Everything is that way, just go on and find your way.

I guess towns like Goleen decided to stop replacing all their signs and just carve the sign directly into the stone.

There are so many Guinness signs in Ireland it's extremely easy to start believing Guinness is the cure for everything from a crying baby to a broken toe.

One you actually get to your irish landmark destination there will be signs in  English, French, German and Gaelic. 

So of the signs are enhance with metal engraved features.

Ireland's best signs can be found outside Pubs. These signs are updated regularly and you can the most time and energy has been spent organizing and creating these colorful signs. 

Gas Prices in Ireland

Just for traveling in Ireland the Liter price is around $1.50. But keep in mind there are 3.78 liters in a gallon meaning this is about $5.70 a gallon. Not cheap right!

Also I was trying to discover how many miles I drove because everything is in Kilometers. 1 mile is .62 kilometers. So 1200 kilometers is 750 miles.

The Smallest road in Ireland

The Roads of Ireland

This was our tiny car the Nissan Micra. Hardly enough leg room for a large leprechaun.

But these small cars do come in handy with on-coming coach buses!

Ireland is known for its tiny roadways. So we decided to take some pictures of Ireland's smallest roads if you can call them roads.

Can you believe this is at the end of a 4km road of this?

Our tiny rental car the Nissan Micra took up the whole road! There are maybe one or two pull off areas but let me tell you this is not a 2 car road.

This road to the Drombeg circle was definitely one of the smallest roads in Ireland. We almost got stuck off the side as we tried to make space for an oncoming car.

This is a beautiful little road in the Arran Islands used mainly for horses and tractors but you will see a few cars meandering around.

The horse and carraiges usually rule the road on the Aran Islands.

Here is another tiny road that Ireland will try to force two cars down.

Yes this is actually a road not a footpath we drove down it find the Gallarus Oratory.

Not exactly sure why they have yellow lines on either side because there's no getting around another car.

This is one of the more typical scenic coastal roads with a solid white line down the middle. I hope you're not afraid of heights because these cliffs are right next to the road.

This is another typical Irish road which has good space but no shoulder. When a  coach bus rolls by you best believe your going to have to squeeze.

These small roads are always lined with stone walls, cliffs and mountains. Such is the Irish road way.

As an American traveling in Ireland you can bet it took a bit of time to adjust to driving on the right side. The only accident we had was hitting the curb and damaging our hubcap on our Avis car rental. We were wondering how much as dented hub cap would cost for a Avis rental car in Ireland but they didn't seem to car when we returned it.

Our Avis rental car return ticket shows over 1,200 kilometers traveled in 8 days.

That's 150km a day!

This is a perfect example of where you can park and where you will get a parking ticket in Ireland. We got a 40€ parking ticket on the ring of Kerry so I would take notice. The double yellow line is no parking and the single yellow line where the Irish dog is walking is okay for parking.

Here is a little dublin alley way that leads to the Guinness factory. No parking on either side helps.

Here is a small Irish road in Clonakilty Ireland. Great little sea side views but tiny roads in this area of Ireland.

This was the bend we hit the curb and put a dent in our Avis rental car hub cap. But again it wasn't a big deal.

Small towns like Sneem and Cahersiveen will pop up on any highway that's not a "Motorway" like M7 or M8.

Here is a regular road on the Irish motor way with some nice space for turning off. Which is actually quite rare.

Top 10 pubs in Ireland

Here is the list of our top ten favorite pubs in Ireland.

1. The Courthouse : Dingle, Ireland

2. The Mighty Session : Dingle, Ireland 

3. Temple Bar Pub : Dublin, Ireland

4. The Brazen Head : Dublin, Ireland

5. The Gravity Bar : Dublin, Ireland

6. Ceann Sibeal Pub : Ballyferriter, Ireland

7. McDermotts Pub : Doolin, Ireland

8. The Armada Hotel : Spanish Point Ireland

9. Padrais O Conshaile : Aran Islands Inis Oirr Ireland

10. Doolin Hotel Pub : Doolin Hotel

11. Gregan's Castle Pub : Balltvaughan, Ireland

Top Ten Irish Pubs in Detail:

1. The Courthouse Pub : Dingle, Ireland

The oldest "new" pub in Dingle no TV no jukebox no pool table but they do have great music seven nights a week and a beer garden. This pub is a close tie with the mighty session and I honestly consider them both the best pubs in Ireland and I'll explain why a moment

2. The Mighty Session : Dingle, Ireland 

The mighty session is a fairly new bar in dingle but the owner has been keeping top-notch Irish pubs the way they should be for over 30 years. I may be biased because Lauren I was treated like a king Queens on our honeymoon here but I must say this is one of the most traditional hopping pub full of music and laughter that I've ever been to.

3. Temple Bar Pub : Dublin, Ireland

Temple bar is a number one must stop bar on everyone's list for Dublin pubs. I believe the bar isn't so successful the area is actually named around it. It features indoor and outdoor scenery blended together in a giant Irish fun atmosphere. 

4. The Brazen Head : Dublin, Ireland

Brazen head is the oldest of all pubs in Ireland. It also features a supreme blend of indoor and outdoor Irish atmospheric pub experience. The entrance alone feels like you're walking into another time under Trellis columns lines and hanging baskets you arrive at the oldest pub in Ireland

5. The Gravity Bar : Dublin, Ireland

The gravity bar features the only 360° view of Dublin. Sitting at the top of gases storeroom factory you won't get better pint of Guinness and that is a fact. I think you could argue that it also has the best view of Dublin Ireland and I love the hip music atmosphere, the laughter and the happiness of everyone finally getting their free pint of the best beer in the world

6. Ceann Sibeal Pub : Ballyferriter, Ireland

The Ceann Sibeal Pub in Ballyferrier, Ireland is a must stop at pub just outside of dingle. For Lauren and I this hotel was where all the magic began. The Ceann Sibeal Pub Will make you feel like the old Ireland is back while you overhear conversations in Gaelic and laughter till the wee hours in the morning. Local musicians come here to play and sing the most authentic Irish music I've ever heard.

7. McDermotts Pub : Doolin, Ireland

McDermott's pub is hidden away in the small town of Doolin Ireland. You wouldn't guess it but McDermott's pub is a great place to eat in the Irish stew is to die for. They can certainly pour a good pint of Guinness in the pub is located right on Riverside that will take your breath away

8. The Armada Hotel : Spanish Point Ireland

The Armada hotel and the doolin hotel pub are the only two pubs in Ireland that serve the amazing Dooliner Irish red beer.

The Armada Hotel is slightly up in the list from the Doolin hotel pub just because of it's incredible view an amazing store call point of view. Located in Spanish point the history of this area represents a turning point in the fight between Catholics and Protestants. The amazing view only minutes from the Cliffs of moher is breathtaking again.

9. Padrais O Conshaile : Aran Islands Inis Oirr Ireland

Padrais O conshaile is the best pub of Inis Oirr. It's right next to the ferry pier and they know how to pour a good Guinness. Their slogan is "Every Frank,Dick and Harry know there are noPolice on the Aran Islands of Innis Oirr Ireland. So if your staying on the island you can count of late nights of irish fun that never end...

10. Doolin Hotel Pub : Doolin Hotel, Ireland

The Doolin hotel pub was passionately filled filled with laughter and cheers during the Doolin folk Festival 2013. This pub is From County Clare only minutes from the Aran Islands and makes traveling in Ireland a breeze.

11. Gregan's Castle Pub : Balltvaughan, Ireland

Gregans Castle pub has a spectacular view of the Burren, Ireland's most complex and rich floral landscape. Although the Burren represents only 1% of Ireland's land mass it contains over 75% of the Irish native species in the area. With amazing views five star menu and impeccable staff to Greg and Castle Hotel pop is a must visit for anyone who wants to truly see luck Shorey and atmosphere combined and Irish pub.