Irish Road Trip with Jackie Johnson

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Untourist Emeritus and regular blog contributor Jackie Johnson recently returned from another Untour to Ireland. Here’s her report in photos, including an emergency trip to the hospital. Read all about it.

This was my third trip to Ireland; the last two trips were with Untours. Untours is the only way to travel to Europe in my opinion. I have also traveled with Untours to Holland and Switzerland. This trip to Ireland was mid-June, 2019, and an experience I will always remember.

About five days after arriving in Ireland, I ended up in the Cork University Hospital with kidney stones. After five days in the hospital and having surgery, my cousin, Michelle, and I hit the ground running and continued on our way to see as much of the Southwest of Ireland as possible.

We went back to our comfortable home base, Packie’s Corner, in Kenmare. I stayed here in 2016 with another cousin and my sister, and it is PERFECT! The location and accommodations are fabulous.

Here are some scenes from the journey.

Kenmare vacation, Ireland Untour
Notice the Viking ship in the background. Kenmare is a darling town with great restaurants, shopping, and history.

Kenmare vacation, Ireland Untour
This gentleman was playing in Cork as we were strolling through the shops.

Kenmare vacation, Ireland Untour
Here are cousins, Michelle and Jackie, taking the very interesting and lovely Heritage Walk in Kenmare (our home base).

Kenmare vacation, Ireland Untour
Jackie walking barefoot on the Stone Circle trying to ground. The stone circle in Kenmare was walking distance from our apartment.

Kenmare vacation, Ireland Untour
I would love to live here. Came across this beautiful scene on our Heritage Walk.

Kenmare vacation, Ireland Untour
Evening in Kenmare after dinner and Guinness in one of the many pubs.

Kenmare vacation, Ireland Untour
We made it to a castle, one of my cousin’s wish list items.

Kenmare vacation, Ireland Untour
Jackie in Cork University Hospital with kidney stones. Spent 5 days here, had surgery, but did not let that stop us from having a great trip…just a little detour.

Kenmare vacation, Ireland Untour
Church and cemetery near Waterford.

Kenmare vacation, Ireland Untour
Don’t believe anyone who says the food is not good in Ireland. Everywhere we ate it was outstanding. This is in Dungarvan. (Jackie and Michelle did more explorations of Ireland’s food scene. Stay tuned for another blog post about their foodie travels through Ireland! Subscribe to the blog so you don’t miss it.)

Kenmare vacation, Ireland UntourWe used the map Untours sent us, the GPS in the car, and Google Maps. The road signs were AWESOME.

Kenmare vacation, Ireland Untour
Slea Head near Dingle.

Kenmare vacation, Ireland Untour
My cousin’s white knuckles and Enterprise green “Stay to the Left” bracelet. My cousin was FEARLESS when it came to driving. She drove like she had always driven on the left.

Kenmare vacation, Ireland Untour
Another Untour sign photo with Killarney Lakes in the background.

Kenmare vacation, Ireland Untour
Traffic at a standstill.

Kenmare vacation, Ireland Untour
I did not want to leave Kenmare.

Make your own memories on an Ireland Untour. And by all means, please report back and share your photos!

Jackie’s photos will be included in our Untours Photo Contest. Look for a post with the best Untours photos of the season, coming soon. And if you are traveling on a fall Untour, be sure to bring your orange Untours sign and submit your photos for a chance to win!

One comment

  1. You had the same apartment as we did in Sept 2016 – super location. We didn’t end up in hospital but we can help you find a dentist, just walking distance from the apartment. I think my favorite experiences in Kenmare were checking out the sheep at the Wednesday market, the amazing hydrangeas everywhere (especially the garda station), attending a concert of local musicians at Kenmare’s own Carnegie Hall and eating great food in every restaurant ( The Mews across the mews, Packie’s, Tom Cream’s) and pub in town. It was a lovely holiday – truly a relaxing vacation.

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