You all know how it can be with the weather here in Dublin. You're not Irish if you don't talk about it at least five times a day and you sure do not know the ways of the Irish if you don't adapt to it. :) As any of you reading this blog has obviously noticed, there's a lot of talk about weather here as well!
If it is good, it inspires you to take long walks, a chillin' session in the park or a glass of cooling white wine on a sunny terrace of a cafe.
If the weather is bad it inspires many of us to stay at home, moan about how bad it is or maybe read a book while sitting near the warming fire in your fireplace.
For one of us in Harrington House the weather was truly inspiring to take a day trip to Connemara this week. It seemed to be the best thing to do since the weather channel promised floods and stormy winds on the east coast - something I did not want to go through voluntarily.
So as soon the decision came, the booking was made and I was set to go!
Now, here comes the reason why I am telling you this - You really should allow yourself this trip since it is a perfect way to spend a day, no matter what your mood is, you'll be facing the sun when the day is over!
You'll start really early in the morning with a drive to the other side - Galway and from there northwards to Connemara. As our guide said (and I will not quote his exact words, it wouldn't look nice written in here.. ;) ), there's nothing in Connemara and as I thought, it is nothing we sometimes need to have everything. They say many famous artists, writers and philosophers have stayed in Connemara to find inspiration to paint, write, teach.. I wouldn't blame them since the scenery is truly remarkable. We drove through the mountains, through the bogs, by the rivers and lakes, hills and valleys, small villages and towns.. The tales from the past, present and from the tour guide's head were travelling with us and one could not do anything but enjoy the day!
Ireland has only one fjord, Killary fjord, and our tour took us on a boat trip on Connemara Lady through it. Onboard it was the best time for some lunch, the seafood chowder tasted heaven and the Irish Coffee warmed me up just for time to see the dolphins playfully following the vessel. It was an amazing sight!
From there we drove to Galway. I had a nice walk in the town checking if the two Wilde's are still on their spot, popped into a book shop to buy the funniest book in the world about Irish and before I knew it it was time to be on the road again. This time driving back to Dublin.
And when I got back, guess what! It was raining heavily, the wind was unbearably strong and cold but me, I had sun in my heart!
Oh, and if you're intrigued, check out http://www.connemaratours.ie/ for your own sunny day (no matter the weather is) in Ireland!
And if you want to see more photos...