It’s March, which means inevitably, I will be sharing photos from our trip to Ireland.  It just can’t be helped, okay?

In case you missed it, a few years ago, Morgan and I took the trip that had been on our “someday” list since 2020.  We set off on a road trip through southern Ireland. With a loose itinerary, a rental car that would soon meet many narrow roads, and a few cozy cottages booked along the way, we set out to explore the Emerald Isle.

Ireland has a way of rewarding curiosity. Our drive began just outside Dublin before heading south to the seaside town of Wexford.  It was the perfect soft landing after a long travel day. From there, we zig-zagged through the countryside visiting castles that look like they were plucked straight out of a storybook, including the Rock of Cashel and the gardens at Lismore Castle.

One of the earliest “pull the car over immediately” moments came driving through the Gap of Dunloe — a winding mountain pass so breathtaking it almost makes you forget how narrow the road is. Almost.

From there, we continued west on one of Ireland’s most famous scenic drives: the Ring of Kerry.

Following the route clockwise (a tip we’re still thankful we followed), we spent the day hopping from viewpoint to viewpoint — beaches, cliffs, tiny villages, and water so blue it almost didn’t seem real. Derrynane Beach quickly became a favorite, while sunset atop Geokaun Mountain on Valentia Island delivered the kind of panoramic view that makes you pause and say, “Okay… this is ridiculous.”

Just when we thought the scenery couldn’t possibly get better, the Dingle Peninsula politely proved us wrong.

Think windswept coastline, hidden coves, and colorful towns where seafood dinners somehow taste better after a full day of exploring.

The final stop on our road trip was the Cliffs of Moher — and they totally lived up to the hype.

To give ourselves the best chance at good weather (and a little solitude), we planned two opportunities to visit: sunset the evening we arrived and sunrise the following morning. Staying nearby allowed us to access a quieter trailhead, and for a brief moment we had the cliffs nearly to ourselves — just us, the Atlantic Ocean, and a view that stretched endlessly into the horizon.

Looking back, this trip was everything we hoped for — winding roads, spontaneous stops, dramatic coastlines, and the quiet kind of beauty that Ireland does better than anywhere else.

If Ireland has been sitting on your “someday” list… consider this your nudge.

For our more details of our trip, grab them here:

Dublin, Wexford, and Gap of Dunloe

The Ring of Kerry & Dingle

The Cliffs of Moher