This beautiful, quaint hotel is just on the outskirts of town. It’s only about a mile walk to get into town. The rooms are a great size, perfect for spreading out. The downside is there were not USB charging ports, so make sure you have a converter plug. The entire staff is friendly and very helpful. They helped with restaurant / pub suggestions as well as helped get taxis for guests who did not want to walk. The hotel offers a large Irish breakfast each morning. There is an assortment of cereals, fruits, eggs, sausages, and juices. Enjoy! T
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Our next stop was Charleville. We would be spending 2 nights in town. After checking into the hotel, it was time to get some dinner. We ate at the Park Bar & Grill that was located inside the hotel. After dinner it was time to start exploring Charleville. It was a small Irish town, exactly what I was hoping for. The shops were closed for the evening, but the pubs were open. We stopped at a local pub that was recommended to us by the staff at the hotel. It was Geary’s Pub. This pub was extremely cozy inside. We…
Leave a CommentSince 1710, Smithwick’s Brewery has been making beer for Ireland and eventually the world. After you take the brewery tour, stop on over to the tasting room. You have the option of getting a pint of one of their many beers or you can take a flight. I went for the Smithwick’s Red Ale flight. The flight included: I really enjoyed the red ale. They did not have that strong hoppy taste. They were somewhat sweet, smooth, and they felt light. Make sure you take time to visit the brewery. And if you have enough time check out their gift…
Leave a CommentWhen walking around Kilkenny we stopped at a pub called Paris Texas. One of the reasons we stopped was because of their name. We had actually been to the town of Paris, Texas and we had to see what this was all about. It truly was a Texas themed restaurant because their entire menu was Texas BBQ. While it smelled delicious when we walked in we were not going to get Texas BBQ in Ireland. We wanted to stick with local food. We did hear that they offered the best Irish Coffee in Kilkenny. So that is what we all…
Leave a CommentWe were heading southwest towards the charming town of Kilkenny. Along the drive it was amazing to see the old churches and structures that are still standing. It helps bring history to life as Ella would tell us stories about what we saw. Kilkenny is a medieval city that is also known as the Marble City because of its distinctive black marble. This was one of my favorite stops on the trip. As we rode through the town, I could not help but notice the blend of medieval structure with modern day conveniences. We did not have enough time in…
Leave a CommentWe started off the morning with an Irish breakfast at the hotel. They had traditional American dishes like eggs, bacon, oatmeal, and hash browns. Then they offered unique European dishes. I wanted to make sure I tried some of these. The baked beans we interesting to me, not because of the beans themselves, but that they were being offered for breakfast and not lunch/dinner when they normally would be offered in the States. The beans did not have that BBQ taste. They are in a tomato sauce that was sweet and simple. It did not overpower anything else that I…
Leave a CommentIf you are looking for a cozy coffee shop in the heart of Dublin, then check out Beanhive. They are famous for their coffee art on top of each cup. It was really special. Looking at the art helped start conversations with other patrons that were at the shop. Check them out at beanhive.ie Enjoy! T
Leave a CommentInside the Travel Lodge Plus hotel is a nice restaurant called Mossco. It is a perfect spot to grab a quick bite to eat. I tried an Irish cider called Orchard Thieves. This was different from most ciders I have had before. It was crisp and sweet. It was delicious. The pour of the cider is huge, and they are always served in a branded glass. It helps me remember what I was drinking when I take the photos. I was not super hungry since we had been eating all day. I ordered the mushroom soup. The soup was pureed…
Leave a CommentIf you want some traditional Irish food, check out Bruxelles. Originally established in 1886, it was called The Gafton Mooney until 1973. We walked in and there was a soccer game on all the TVs, so the place was packed. Because we were there to eat, the waitress actually asked some patrons to move from a table to the bar since they were just drinking. It was really nice, and the patrons had no issue moving. They were really friendly about it. I ordered the Bruxelles Seafood Chowder. This was one of their signature dishes. The creamy white wine broth…
Leave a CommentIf you want a great place to get a cup of coffee or a pastry check out Bewley’s. Its history goes back to 1927 when the building was two townhouses. The original fireplaces are still inside, welcoming patrons every day. One of the main attractions on the inside are the beautiful stained glass windows and the mosaics that adorn the walls. Check out Bewley’s located on Gafton Street ( bewleysgraftonstreet.com ). Enjoy! T
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