So it’s been over a month since we got home from our adventures in Ireland and I’m still catching myself remembering little things and reliving our trip through photos and memories constantly, and it’s about time I blogged it!

What can I say, this trip was a soul refresher. Spending time alone with Josh for a week in this crazy season of life was the best thing we ever could have done! If you scroll past all the photos, I’ve written out a day by day recounting of what we did and saw, for those of you who really want to know, but if you don’t need to know all the deets, I’ll answer some of the most common questions we’ve gotten since coming home.

1. Q. What was your favorite thing you saw. A. Honestly…this is really hard for me to answer. I can tell you that my least favorite thing we did was take a detour to Glendalough on our 2nd day. To me, it was just really far out of the way and wasn’t worth the hype (don’t judge me). Other than that…I loved everything! I have to say that Killarney was my favorite town and seeing the Irish step show was a definite high point of the week. It was just so fun! You can read more about it below. I also didn’t know it at the time…but one of the things I find myself thinking back to a lot is our little hike to a tea room in the middle of nowhere along the Ring of Kerry
2. Q. Did you miss Selah. A. ….No. I’m actually kind of surprised but I think because we were FaceTiming her multiple times a day, we were good. My parents always reported good things! She slept through the night EVERY NIGHT (insert praise hands emoji here) and she was all around a happy kid who wasn’t showing any signs of missing us. Looking back though, I do feel kind of bad that we asked my parents to watch our kid during their spring break time. They are the literal best.
3. Q. Did you drink all day every day. A. NO! Josh and I aren’t huge drinkers but we did enjoy a pint of Guinness here and there and learned a lot about whiskey at the Jameson distillery.
4. Q.Did you have fun? A. no……Just kidding! It was such a blast! I would go back in a heartbeat! here are some of the photos we took!

Day 1:

Well…day one consisted of a 14 hour traveling day. We arrived in Dublin a little after 7pm and were excited to step foot on Irish soil…or concrete, whatever came first. It was concrete. When we arrived, the Customs Irishman greeted us with a warm welcome and told us that Coffey was an Irish surname and then he welcomed us home.

-We headed to the Temple Bar district to where our hotel was and quickly discovered how easy it was to get lost in the city centre and how hard it was to drive on the wrong side of the road. After finally checking in and moving our car twice, we finally left to go exploring around 9pm. We went to St. Oliver Gogarthy’s for our first Guiness of the trip and some fun Irish music. We were starving and the cheese plate didn’t cut it, so we went out in search of grub. We got some fries, nay, chips and decided to call it a night and FaceTime our girl. it was definitely difficult to sleep that night with the time change and the loud partiers that were rumbling around below our open window.

Day 2:

We started the morning with a traditional Irish breakfast…and I must say, the traditional Irish variety of breakfast is the kind for me! I loved it. Then we set out an hour early to get to the Guiness factory for our reservation time. it was so stressful trying to figure out what bus we were supposed to take and how we were supposed to pay! We both felt like dumb Americans, but after asking way too many people to get an answer that made sense, we finally made it to the factory. The factory was very well done and a fun place to wander around. The line to get your free pint was very long, but we waited for that precious stout just to get a picture. After that, we just sort of wandered around the city for hours. We went to see the book of Kells and paid 14 euros EACH and both decided it was definitely not worth it, but oh well. We seriously trekked from one side of Dublin to another. We laughed a lot after having multiple times where we needed to go to the bathroom but didn’t know where to go and also how we walked for literal miles to get to a place that a friend recommended thinking it would be worth it so we could finally sit, enjoy a latte and go to the bathroom, but after a half hour of walking on already tired feet, we arrived and there was neither a chair to sit or a bathroom to relieve our sloshing bladders. After finally walking another 10 minutes to Dublin Castle, and finding a free toilet, we decided it was time to go. We headed out to Wicklow and grabbed a pizza and ended up driving way further than we thought to Arklow for our first Air BnB. We had the wrong address and showed up to an abandoned old cement house and were very confused. We realized it was the wrong place and found the right residence a mile and a half over. I’ll just say that the Air BnB looked waaaaaay different in person than it did online. We met our host and were shown to our room. The room itself was fine but the directions for the shower were INSANE so we just decided to skip out on a shower until our next Air BnB. The host recommended we go to the hotel for a few drinks, so we ended up making our way over there. We got really great desserts and some tea.

Day 3:

We both woke up really late at 9 o’clock. I had taken a sleeping pill at 3am because I couldn’t sleep and it knocked me out hard! We quickly left and went to the Firehouse Bakery in Wicklow. It was so cute and sooooo delicious! We each got a pastry and I was embarrassed to go back and buy another because it was so good. After that, we headed to Glendalough. I didn’t know what to expect, but when we arrived, it wasn’t as grand as I had thought it would be. It was a pretty lake but it was so cold outside that I didn’t really want to stay long, so we left after 20 minutes and a few snapshots. We took the long way to our next destination, Killarney, and it was a scenic route through the countryside. We ended up stopping in Killaloe and made the fatal mistake of getting gas. Our car rental company told us to get diesel because we got a diesel car and the key clearly said, “diesel”, so josh OBVIOUSLY put diesel fuel in it. Well, turns out they mixed up the info on this car and it was not in fact a diesel car, causing it to cease to function. Some locals helped us push it to a parking spot and we called the company. They were really not helpful at first and thought we were dumb because we put diesel in it even though all signs and directions pointed to diesel! We ate a quick bit and wandered around town. We went back to the gas station where our car was after an hour because they said they would meet us there then. Well…we ended up waiting another 2 hours in the car, playing phone tag with the car rental company. It was really frustrating because the sun was actually out and we were missing our adventure. Finally the car company came with a new car and we were able to make the final 2 hour trek of our journey to Killarney. it was a beautiful drive and right at sunset it said we had arrived to our Air BnB but it was clearly the wrong place because it was a castle on a lake! Josh had typed in the wrong address but we were not mad about it in the slightest! We just showed up at the perfect lighting for some photos and castle galavanting and then drove 10 minutes to our actual location. The Air BnB was actually BETTER than the photos online this time! The couple was so sweet and the room was so charming with a view of the land that couldn’t be beat. We went out to a pub that was way too small and packed, had a beer and then went to finally eat dinner at 10pm at a place the Air BnB hosts suggested. Turns out everyone had the same idea and we didn’t get our food until after 11pm.

Day 4.

We made sure to set an alarm so we could get a head start on the day,(even though the dang time change had me up since 3am). We were surprised when we made it downstairs and there was a full breakfast waiting for us! Our hosts, Paudie and Anne, made delicious buscuits and jam as well as porridge with all the fixin’s and eggs from their hens. They asked what our plans were for the day and we said the Ring of Kerry. They told us to go “anti-clockwise” and all the cool places to stop. Before we talked with them, we had absolutely no idea what the Ring of Kerry was! Turns out, it’s a 5 and a half hour drive around the southwest part of the country and there are many different locations to just stop and gawk at the beauty of this country. Before we even were on the actual Ring, I spotted a pub called, “J.M Coffey’s” and oh boy, Josh got a kick out of that!…His name is Joshua Micah Coffey, FYI. We had to stop and take photos in front of it. Josh and I would definitely say that our favorite stop was the Cliffs of Kerry. It was CRAZY windy and we were basically the only ones there. There was a monument just before the cliffs showing what the monks used to live in. All I could think was, “how could they survive”, because there wasn’t much out there and there was even less back then! I thought they were cray…but then I saw the cliffs. It felt both ominous and awe-inspiring. I could see how they could feel God’s presence there through His might and through the fear of the Lord but also, the grand beauty. The creativity and the sovereignty. The cliffs sent shivers down my spine and tears to my eyes. The cold wind was shocking and the strength of the blows were powerful. It was so cool to have that place to ourselves. When the ring of Kerry started coming to an end, I spotted a pull off with cars, so I told Josh we should go there. I know…I’m such a follower. There was a sign that said “tea room 1.5km that way”. So obviously, we went. 1.5 kms starting feeling reeeallly long when it started raining and then Josh said he had to poo. When Josh has to poo…we better find a toilet quick! He started counting his steps to distract himself and I couldn’t stop laughing. He literally counted over 600 steps and then we saw the blessed tea room! Josh ran to the outside bathroom and then we both enjoyed hot tea while overlooking the lake in a secluded little tea room in Killarney. We made it back to the Air Bnb around 3:30 and we were going to head out around 5:30. Josh fell straight asleep and since I can’t nap, I FaceTimed Selah and then started journaling our trip. It was absolutely pouring by the time we left, so the cute outfit I was going to wear was quickly traded for my North Face and duck boots. We went to town to go shopping before our Celtic Steps show and found the famous Murphy’s Ice-cream and it was just as delicious as everyone said. We highly recommend the Irish coffee flavor. After buying some knick knacks for the fam, we headed over to the race track where the show was supposed to be. Our Air BnB hosts implored us to get to the show at least 15 minutes before it started because it was open seating and always super packed. So, us being the punctual people we are, showed up a half hour early. Literally NO ONE was there. Josh made us wait out in the rain so that we would be the first ones in. We finally got in and it was just us in there for a solid 15 minutes, then a few more people came and then finally 3 bus loads of senior citizens from all over the world joined us. The show itself was equal parts fun and impressive. I loved it. I highly recommend it to anyone visiting Killarney.

Day 5

We enjoyed another grand breakfast from our hosts in Killarney and headed out to our next destination, Galway. I don’t know what we would have done without our hosts because we were the worst planners ever and didn’t know what we were going to stop and see along the way. They suggested Bunratty castle and I’m so glad we took their advice! So not only is it a castle from the 16th century, it’s also a “Folk Town”, meaning its a huge place that has replicas of what the town would have looked like in different times. We obvi went to the castle first where we were galavanting around, until a old person tour came into the same space. I don’t know why they got a special tour guide lady dressed in a princess outfit, but I snuck my way over to their group and tried to blend in…definitely didn’t work, but I got to hear all the interesting facts about the castle and I freaking loved it! After the old person special tour was over, we checked out the rest of the Folk Town, grabbed some sausage rolls and headed onward to the Cliffs of Moher. It was definitely clear enough for us to see the beautiful sight, but it was still rainy and windy. We took lots of pics, paid the euros to go in the lighthouse castle thing (not worth it) and then Josh found the trail. There was a very clear end to the nice paved and well thought out viewing area and then there was a sign that read, “go at your own risk” and “this is no longer part of the Cliffs of Moher Viewing Area, proceed with caution”. It was a little tiny mud trail at the literal edge of the cliff WITH NO RAILING!  Josh had no hesitations and just walked right out on it, I took one step to follow and then turned back. Josh yelled back, “are you serious, Sawyer?” and I just kept walking. back to safety. I didn’t want to watch Josh fall to his death so I just kind of meandered around and took a lot of cell phone pictures for tourists and then I was wondering what was taking so long and headed back over the the unsafe zone and no joke, I looked out and what did I see? Josh freaking standing at the EDGE of the cliff and then laying down over it! I was livid! I couldn’t watch so I angrily walked away and was thinking of all the reason’s Josh was so careless and stupid. Finally, Josh came back and when I saw that he was alright, I decided not to tell him all the reasons he was stupid. He tried to get me to go back with him, I started crying and that was that. The road to Galway was suuuuuper windy and I felt really sick, but when we finally made it to the city, I was fine. We went over to Quay street, walked around for a bit, and tried to decide what our goal was for the night. Some friends recommended going to Ard Bia, so we made our way over there. It’s this quaint little old stone cafe that overlooks the sea. It’s one of those restaurants that is closed between meals, so we waited outside for a half hour waiting for it to open along with some other people. We finally made it inside and enjoyed a very romantic candlelit dinner. After that, we made it to our next Air BnB which was a private studio in someone’s backyard. The owner enthusiastically greeted us along with his young son who wanted to give us a tour of our place. It was so modern and nice! If you are going to Galway…stay there! We watched Step Brothers and then went out to a famous pub down the road. It was poppin’. Josh and I discovered that it’s kind of awkward going to pubs as a married couple. Everyone else is with friends or trying to hook up with each other and we were just there, alone, with nothing to really talk about. So we just awkwardly observed and headed back.

Day 6.

We woke up and quickly packed up our stuff and decided to just go to a local cafe before hitting up Quay street. We enjoyed delicious lattes and a croissant. Can I just tell you that Vacation Sawyer = a croissant (or two) every day! We decided we wanted to rent bikes and went to one of their rent-a-bike stations that you do all through a machine. It was really frustrating to figure out, but we finally got our bikes and were off. The weather was soooo nice and we enjoyed a lovely bike ride all around “The Long Walk” by the sea and through the city. I definitely almost got hit by a couple cars, but all in all…highly recommend. After that, we wandered through the shops, got FANTASTIC authentic Italian pizza from a little whole in the wall place, went to the museum and headed back to Dublin. We decided to take the car we rented back first, so Josh dropped me off at our super nice hotel by the airport and he went to drop the car off. We thought that they might give us crap about breaking their other car and all, but they didn’t and josh was able to just take a shuttle back to the hotel. We got ready for our last night out on the town in Ireland and headed out in a taxi. We had reservations for the Jameson tour, so we made our way over there. Our reservation wasn’t for a while so we wandered around that part of Dublin and ended up getting caught in a hail storm. We dodged the ice in a local grocery store and I bought another croissant. Don’t judge me. After the hail and the rain passed, we made our way over to the Jameson distillery a bit before our reservation. It was so trendy and modern in there! Also Josh swears we saw Adele, and to be honest, it could have been her! I guess we’ll never know. Anywho, we were able to go on a little bit earlier of a tour and I loved it! We had a personal guide and it was just set up so cool! I’m not a whisky drinker by any means, but it was interesting learning its orgins, ingredients and tastes. We got to do a taste testing of Scottish whiskey, American whiskey and Irish whiskey…I totally feel like an expert on whisky now and can confidently say I like the Irish whiskey best. After our tour we got a free whisky voucher to use at the bar. I got a whisky ginger lime and it was supes good. We sat next to a couple from New York and got to chatting. It was nice connecting with other young tourists and hearing their experiences. After that, we went to the Braazenhead, the oldest pub in Dublin. We originally wanted to go to the storytelling show but it was sold out, still kind of bummed about it. We decided having dinner there would suffice, so we literally just had to wait until someone left and swoop in on their seats. There were no hosts, so we were just hovering along the wall with eyes peeled waiting for a couple of people to get up. After awkwardly prowling for 15 minutes, Josh found us seats at a banquet table and we sat nice and cozy with 3 other couples. I was surprised with how quick they brought our food out and it was delicious! Highly recommend. We walked back to where our journey began, the Temple Bar district. I was not willing to leave Ireland without a cool Irish band in a pub, dancing experience. So we listened closely in the crowded street for the pub with the best music. We finally found it and right as I bought our last Guinesses of the trip, the band ended their set and we were stuck with bad 80’s music and a TON of thiiiirrrsty youngin’s trying to get at each other. We took a taxi back to our hotel. Josh talked to our cab driver about being a pastor and then we took showers, FaceTimed baby girl and took our last sleep in Ireland before we had to get up at 4am to take the shuttle to the airport to go home.

When I imagined what our trip to Ireland would be like, I imagined dancing in pubs, chatting with locals and lots of photoshoots in cute outfits along the Irish landscape. Suffice it to say…that was not really the case. I had always heard the Irish were incredibly nice, hospitable and talkative, so I had it built up in my mind that the Irish locals were going to just love talking to us. I found the Irish to be just as nice as the everyday American…nothing extra. And not that that’s a bad thing by any means, I just had imagined different. I imagined dancing with Josh to an Irish fiddle and Molly Malone, but that was never the vibe in the pubs we went to. As for cute outfits and photoshoots….all that went out the door when I felt how frigid it was outside! Also…everywhere we went seemed to have a ton of tourists and I didn’t expect that at all! I’ve known a few of my friends and people I know who have gone to Ireland, but I didn’t expect everyone and their mother to be there! With all that said, I wouldn’t trade this trip with my man for the world! What Josh and I found in Ireland was a remembered love for exploring, the best croissants we’ve ever had and refreshed and renewed hearts in awe of God’s grandeur as well as a thankfulness for finding love in each other.