Ireland Forever

This past weekend, I went to Ireland and I have to say, it was my favorite place I've been to yet. We did, however, have a rough start. After getting back from Norderney late on Thursday night, we wanted to do anything but repack a suitcase for the long weekend. Because of this, Kim and I did not pack smartly for the airplane we had to ride the next morning. So, of course, when we arrived at security a very grouchy security lady greeted us and proceeded to make us literally unpack our entire suitcases, buy plastic bags to put our few loose liquids in, and throw away half of our belongings. But that wasn't all. After we had passed through the metal detectors, Kim was called back. Bridgette and I watched on as a police officer came over and they talked to her. After a few minutes, she walked back over to us and told us that her bag had tested positive for explosives! The airport security was pretty cool about it and of course let her go, but needless to say, it was a rough start to our morning.

However, the rough morning completely turned around for the better once we touched ground in Dublin. The Irish accents all around us put huge smiles on our faces. We were so happy to be in an English speaking country, even if it was really hard to understand to the English we were hearing through the thick accents. We found everyone we met so friendly and helpful, and this was true for the entire weekend. We found our way to our bus to get to Belfast, where we the real fun would begin. On the bus ride from Dublin to Belfast we were simply amazed at the landscape. Rolling hills, cows and sheep, gurgling rivers, and everywhere green! But, those views were nothing compared to what we would see later. We made to our Airbnb in a sleepy little part of Belfast, and after a quick but delicious dinner at a restaurant down the road from us, we got a good night's rest.

The next morning, on Saturday, we had set up a Game of Thrones bus tour around Belfast and northern Ireland, where they filmed most of the show. This was the best decision we ever made. The tour was a stop-and-go type of thing on a charter bus, and we had a very funny and sweet Irish girl leading the tour, who was an extra on Game of Thrones. We started in Belfast and made our way up through breathtaking landscapes along the coast of Northern Ireland. And I do mean breathtaking. We first got to see the harbor where some of the scenes for the city of Braavos were shot, including the steps where Arya climbed out of the river after she had been stabbed by the Waif. We then got to drive past where they shot everything for the Wall  and Castle Black, and for the battle of Hardhome.

It was a zone where traffic was not allowed to slow down or stop, so we only got a glimpse. But still, it was one of the coolest glimpses I've gotten to take! We also drove past the site where they are starting to shoot for the prequels to Game of Thrones. There were only a few little trailers, but it was still an exciting thing to see. From there, we kept moving north to a town called Ballymena, to caves which were thousands of years old, and which were used for multiple purposes in Game of Thrones. They were first used in the scene where Lady Melisandre gives birth to a demon, and were also later used in season 8, where Jamie Lannister and Euron Greyjoy fight each other below King's Landing. It felt so cool to stand in those caves, knowing that the actors themselves had stood in the same place while filming!

We then moved on to a town called Ballycastle, where we saw a beach that was used when Stannis Baratheon burned people alive to appease the God of Light, and in season 8 when Varys walked with Jon Snow, trying to convince him to overthrow Daenerys. Right next to it, there was a harbor that was used when filming scenes of the harbor in Pike.

After this was the crown jewel of the trip, and it wasn't actually Game of Thrones related. Included in the tour was a trip to the Giant's Causeway, which is a famous landmark recognizable by the unique hexagonal shaped stones stacked up along a stark coastline that are said to have been formed by Irish and Scottish giants while they fought each other. Needless to say, it was a breathtaking sight, which I'm so glad I was able to see.

 

In between stops, we also saw many other landmarks including the ruins of Dun Laugh castle, which is in the background of the British Open, and was used as inspiration for Pike. The final stop on our tour was in Balleymoney, to a place called the Dark Hedges. The Dark Hedges were used to film part of the King's Road, where Arya is traveling to the Night's Watch with Gendry and Hot Pie. We took our time there and had fun posing amongst the trees and geeking out in Game of Thrones garb that the tour guide had brought along.

The tour was an all day, exhausting event, but it was definitely one of the most amazing experiences I've had. Never mind the Game of Thrones aspect, driving through the Irish countryside and being surrounded by so much raw beauty is something I will never forget, and exactly what I wanted from my trip to Ireland. After our tour was done, we returned to Belfast and after wondering around for a place to eat, we happened upon a beautiful stain glass mural of the Stark family from Game of Thrones, right in front of the City Hall! Belfast was truly an amazing city and I was so sad to leave.

The next morning, we made our way back to Dublin. There, we first toured the Guinness storehouse before relaxing at a traditional Irish pub, which was another wonderful experience. The atmosphere of the pub was so lively, as there were many families there and live traditional Irish music that the people sang, and in some instances, clapped and danced to. It was so much fun to act like a local, and have fun clapping along to the songs while enjoying a delicious Irish meal and beer. After this, we met up with the rest of our friends who were already in Dublin and had some more fun times. 

Leaving Ireland was one of the hardest things I've had to do. I loved the culture, the landscape, the people, everything! I definitely plan on going back with my family, as my Grandma is Irish, and my whole family would love to see it. In fact, I actually found a heritage pin of my grandmother's maiden name, Larkin, in a gift shop, that had information of the family history. Apparently the Larkins are descendants of four Gaelic septs of the O Lorcain clan, so it was cool getting to learn more about my family history in the midst of the country where they originated. All around, it was an amazing weekend that I would do again in a heartbeat.