I’m going to be traveling to Montreal for the first time! My only other trip to Canada was 1600 miles through New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Cape Breton.
I’ll mostly be there for work, but I’ll have some meals free and a little time to explore. What should I not miss? Is there anything tourists do that I don’t need to see?
Song referenced: Leonard Cohen Show Me the Place
Photos from my first trip to The Cliffs of Moher in August ’99.
Apologies for the color discrepancies, I’m a little out of practice and the scanner is on it’s last legs.
Though much of what I’d seen in Ireland on this trip could easily have graced a postcard, Doolin, at least in my opinion, was the most idyllic up to this point. The village center contained a tight grouping of colorful buildings, Doonagore Castle (really a round tower) was visible in the distance, and the Cliffs of Moher were just a stone’s throw away. There were musicians playing Celtic music and jugglers on the street, though I later found out they were likely Celtic-music enthusiasts from Germany (it’s a thing).
Photos from my first trip to Galway, Ireland in 1999
Photos from my first trip to Dublin in 1999.
My time in Tulsk lasted only a few days, but it provided a few home-cooked meals and a roof over my head. Staying here also gave me the chance to save money I’d need to continue the trip to school in Ballyvaughan. The farm was so far removed from the village center that there was no possibility of spending a few pounds here and there on food, drink, or activities. Like my time in Dublin, I mostly kept to myself while on the farm, taking pictures and reading my travel guide. Over the course of just a few days I had two very different Irish experiences – the bustling city life of Dublin and the isolation of a Roscommon farm.
To help brainstorm titles for the Ireland pieces I’ve been writing, here’s a list of all the films and TV shows set or connected to the Republic or Northern Ireland that I’ve seen. Is there something Irish that I need to see and don’t have listed? Maybe I’ve seen and forgotten, but either way, let me know!
I boarded the bus in Dublin and set off for the tiny village of Tulsk in County Roscommon. I’d be staying at Conor’s mother home before moving on to the West. The 100-mile journey provided my first glimpse of the Irish countryside. After a couple of hours, the driver announced our arrival. Exiting the bus I was greeted by… nothing really. The stop was a dirt lot in front of a private residence.
For my first full day in Dublin, my priority was sorting out money for the four-month stay. Based on a recommendation, I’d brought a cashier’s check that I’d use to open an account. I’d supplement the rest with ATM withdrawals and purchases from a debit card.
Stephen Quirk 