Kissing the Blarney Stone, climbing the steps along the Cliffs of Moher, walking through the Galway Cathedral, and eating an insane amount of fish and chips over the course of a week. Ireland was a wonderful time spent with 45 great Sturgis locals.
Over the course of our trip, we had the privilege of seeing countless historical sites, immersing ourselves in Irish culture, and meeting so many interesting people. I wanted to share just a few of my favorite things from this trip. But do know, I could go on and on forever about ALL of the cool adventures we had while in Ireland.
First up, exploring the beautiful grounds surrounding the Blarney Castle. There’s good reason for this being one of the most popular tourist stops in Ireland. As we walked the path towards the castle, hundreds of rows of flowers lined the way. Climbing the steps up to the roof of the castle, we were able to stop in various chambers and hidden rooms. We finally made it up to the roof after about 120 spiral stair steps. It was an absolutely breathtaking view up there! If you have the chance, you HAVE to kiss the Blarney Stone for the gift of eloquence.
Returning to ground level, there was still much more to explore. We strolled through the Carnivorous Courtyard, Poison Garden, and Belgian Beds- all which were filled with beautiful plants. They also have a historic horse stables, which now houses a small cafe. The Blarney Castle was a perfect way to officially kick off the Sturgis Chamber trip in Ireland.
Another one of my favorite adventures was getting to explore the heart of Galway. The amount of unique shops, restaurants, pubs, attractions, sites, and more was amazing! The weather was super nice, so a lot of locals and tourists alike were strolling up and down the cobblestone streets. We bought all kinds of cute souvenirs before taking a break next to the bay. The fresh air coming off the ocean along with the bright sun was super relaxing for us.
I’m a huge castle lover, so of course another one of my favorite moments on the Ireland trip was the Dublin Castle. Kadence and I went there as a side adventure during some free time. I love learning about classic architecture and artwork, so this was definitely a perfect spot for me. The amount of original paintings and statues that I recognized was baffling. The ballrooms and great halls had my jaw stuck to the floor. If you are interested in the fine arts, I highly recommend making this castle a stop on your trip.
Did you know that the Sturgis Chamber will be having another group trip to Ireland this Fall? Not only will the travelers get to see some amazing parts of the Emerald Isle, but they’ll also get to explore parts of Scotland! If you’re interested, you can reach out to the Chamber at any time with your questions. Seats are filling up, so contact us soon!