Ireland: Wild Atlantic Way Tour 2025 Pre-tour

As soon as I returned home from my 2024 tours with Vagabond Tours of Ireland, I started planning the next trip. I invited my sister, who wasn't able to travel with us, and to my surprise (and joy), she said yes. If she had declined, I would have gone solo. I feel that comfortable with Vagabond that I wouldn't have thought twice about going by myself. 

We opted for the 8-Day Wild Atlantic Way Tour. There were some places I'd already visited (and wanted to return), and some places that were new for me. The Driftwood Tours are the perfect pace for me; even though it's not the "active" branch of the tour company, we got in plenty of exercise every day. We had 13 people on our tour, and we all got along famously. Our guide, Shane, set the tone as soon as we got on the bus, which really helped. I have had fantastic "Vagaguides" (as they're called) for all 3 tours. They are the ones who can make or break the whole trip. And, really, you're spending good money to be on that tour...with Vagabond, it's money very well spent.

Before the tour began, we had a full day in Dublin to explore. I let my sister take the lead since I had already done the "touristy" things. The day we arrived, we walked around a little bit and saw the Temple Bar area, the Ha'Penny Bridge, and, of course, we paid homage to Molly Malone.

And I had to visit The Long Hall and actually take pictures this time. We went in and had a little drink.

The Long Hall is a traditional pub is on South Great George's Street

The Long Hall was established in 1766...10 years before the USA won its independence

The interior dates back from 1881

Slainté

For our full day, we bought tickets to the Hop On/Hop Off bus so my sister could see most of Dublin without having to walk. The one thing she was interested in seeing was St. Patrick's Cathedral so we spent quite a bit of time there. I checked the events before we went, and a high school choir that isn't far from where I live was performing. We made sure we were there for part of it. I went into the Cathedral for the first time in Ireland (in 2017), but I didn't spend a lot of time there. We took our time and learned a lot about the cathedral and Irish history.

While tickets are necessary, they are available to purchase at the door.

There are guided tours available, but we learned a lot by taking our time, watching the video, and reading the signage

The Lady Chapel was built in 1270 and restored in the 19th century. It is also called the "French Chapel" because it was used by French Protestant Refugees 

A piece of history: this is the cannonball that killed Lord Lisburne (1 of William of Orange's commanders) during the Siege of Limerick is hung above where he is buried.

Door of Reconciliation: During a family feud involving the Butlers and FitzGeralds, the Butlers sought refuge in the Cathedral, and the FitzGeralds followed. After attempting to make peace, Gerald FitzGerald ordered that a hole be cut in the door; he stuck his hand through it and offered peace to the Butlers. Realizing that Gerald was ready to risk his hand to make peace, the Butlers accepted the offering and the families made peace.

Toilets and a gift shop are on site.

We stumbled onto a real gem with the church where we attended Mass the night before the tour started. St. Andrews Catholic Church was the first church to be built on a Dublin main street after Emancipation. Daniel O'Connell was chairman of the building committee and donated the Baptismal Font (which, unfortunately, I don't have a picture of). John Hogan was a renowned Irish Sculpture; there are a couple of his sculptures in this church. 

(Information is taken from the St. Andrews website)

St. Andrews Catholic Church is made up of the pre-Reformation parishes of St. Andrew, St. Anne, St. Peter, and St. Mark

The Farrell Memorial by John Hogan

The dome was cast from a mould by John Hogan, depicting the Coronation of  Christ. The medallions (also by John Hogan) represent the 4 pre-Reformation Parishes that now make up St. Andrews

The Mortuary Chapel was built in 1909; the sculpture on the altar (on the right side of the picture) is the work of Willie Pearse, brother to Padraig Pearse (One of the leaders of the Easter Rising)

The Nuptial Chapel originally was the Baptistry

The main altar. The painting in the center (Descent from the Cross) dates to 1755. 

I think every Catholic Church in Ireland has a statue of St. Patrick!

Holy Water is available outside of the Church. Only in Ireland would it be in a whiskey barrel! But just in case, the sign on it indicates that the Holy Water is not for drinking.

On the walk back to the hotel, we went by Kennedys. This was mentioned on the Hop On/Off tour as a pub where Oscar Wilde worked when he was young. It was also a hangout for James Joyce, Oscar Wilde, and W.B. Yeats.

Established 1850

We chose to stay at the hotel from where the tour departs so we wouldn't have to rush to be there by 8:00 a.m. We had plenty of time to eat breakfast, get our suitcases, and head to the lobby to meet Shane and our fellow travelers. To recap this trip, I'll divide the posts into places I revisited this time and new places. Just as in the 2 previous tours I've been on with Vagabond, each day was packed full of beautiful sites.