Accommodations: Dromoland Castle, Ireland

More exterior shots of Dromoland Castle.

This was one of the common areas of the castle-- the double staircase which went up to my room. I somehow am reminded of the old movie, Clue (with Tim Curry), when I walk up the steps after breakfast. 

And this was going down to the restaurant

Here is the view from my bedroom window just before sun down.

The fitness center and the swimming pool are both about a 3 minute walk from the main castle. I wanted to go to the gym but it was too cold to take that walk in the morning so I decided to just be warm and toasty in bed for an hour more :D

For more information on Dromoland Castle, visit their official website .

x
TheBagHag

Accommodations: Dromoland Castle

Accommodations! I forgot to take photos and write about our accommodations in Ireland!  No worries, this current location has to take the cake for being our most interesting hotel by far.

We are living in a castle at the moment :) Yes, a real castle-- well it was a castle just like Adare Manor, until it was bought, refurbished, and made into a hotel. I'm at Dromoland Castle!

The reception--  see the armored knights? :)

 Had to sign the guest registry. Apparently royalty and heads of state have stayed at this castle :) *Oh wow I get to live my dream of pretending : to live like royalty LOL* (Yeah, in my Staypuff marshmallow jacket LOL)

I signed it as "The Bag Hag" LOL-- I will add the "HRH" later hahaha :D

I was not sure what to expect. It looked like a medieval castle from outside (I have yet to take a photo-- I'll do so today), but the rooms were modern and wow, lovely! Here's my bedroom!

The bathroom's very modern as well. No iron bath tub in sight lol

My armoire-- the furniture's very French, non?

The chandelier

I love the finishing of all the pieces of furniture in the room. 

My room had a view of the lake! 

The bureau 

Before I left my room for dinner, I took this photo with my iPhone and instagrammed it.

Needless to say, this royal wannabe is very impressed :) I'll take photos of the common areas later, including the exteriors of the castle.  This is my first time to stay in a castle hotel, and I had the most restful sleep last night :)

x

TheBagHag

Travel: Cliffs of Moher, Ireland

Got to County Clare and headed straight to the Cliffs of Moher. I was already impressed with Farmleigh, Muckross, and then I saw the Cliffs...

Today, Ireland took my breath away...

x
TheBagHag

Accommodations: Adare Manor, Ireland

We spent a bulk of this afternoon on the road and passed by Adare Manor.

Adare Manor is beautiful and I would not hesitate to stay there and explore the town for a day or two. Adare Manor is a hotel now by the way, so it would've been quite a nice idea to stay there next time. Yes, Ireland, I will be back again. Can you already tell I love Ireland?  

For more on Adare Manor, visit their official website.  

x

TheBagHag

Travel: Muckross, Ireland

Welcome to my humble abode :D *Arms open wide to welcome you all*

Photo taken with my old but trusted Nikon D40x

 LOL oh I wish! I felt like I was transported to the period of the Granthams on Downton Abbey when I set foot on the Muckross estate-- which once belonged to the Herbert family. It was really a grand place.  Queen Victoria and Prince Albert had stayed in this house with some 100 members of their entourage back in 1861. When it was confirmed that the Royal Couple were to visit, the whole house underwent renovations-- fit for a queen! Unfortunate for me and for you peeps, no photograph- taking was allowed inside, so I made up for it by taking these 2 artsy- fartsy shots of the exteriors. :) 

The view from the side of the house-- which overlooks the lake

Can you imagine the time the Queen came to visit Killarney? Obviously the social status of the Herberts escalated into stratospheric levels! After all, how many can say that the Queen stayed at their estate? :)

I think it would be very difficult to dislike the house and the estate. The view on its own is spectacular-- imagine owning all that you see here from your window!

But in all honesty though, I think I'd be scared to sleep in the house at night on my own :D There were a lot of hunting "trophies"-- of deer heads and ram heads and a lot of deer skulls with antlers. I keep thinking about those old whodunit movies (think Clue) :D 

That said though, I still think I'd like to spend my early afternoons at the house and at the estate :)

I'm very surprised with Ireland. I didn't hear too many encouraging words about the country when I first told a few friends that I was going there for Easter, but I am actually very impressed so far, and have been really enjoying this vacation very much! *Thanks DBs, DM :D*

x
TheBagHag

Travel: Farmleigh, Ireland

We went to the Dublin Zoo, but we also visited Farmleigh, the official Irish State guest house for visiting foreign dignitaries.

The massive estate was once owned by the Guinness family before it was bought by the Irish State sometime in the late 90s-- I believe 1999.  The house was beautiful, but unfortunately no photos were allowed because of security reasons.  My favorite spot in the house had to be the conservatory, hands down.

I know, I know, a little pathetic because no inside photo, but this was the only close- up photo I have of the Conservatory

Equally impressive were the ballroom and the library-- if you go to Dublin, you must visit Farmleigh and then you'll know what I mean :) 

We took a lot of photos on the grounds of the estate though. Made me wish I brought something ethereal- looking with me LOL.  

Found the perfect location for our photos! Here!

After a few test shots and finding that perfect "spot", my sister- in- law and I took turns taking each other's photos LOL. This is one of the shots she took of me. It was originally meant for my private album, but I am sharing it here. SIL, thank you!! I looove it!!

Spring bulbs in full bloom!!

 Another location-- under a big tree :)

As you can tell by now, we really had a blast with taking photos (and oh, we love big trees LOL), moving from one spot to another on the grounds. If there is one thing I wish we had in the Philippines, it's clean, open spaces like these. With big trees and clean air...

Under the big tree

Would've been very nice to have a picnic on the grounds. Bring a very good book along and just spend the whole afternoon reading it under the tree, or why not, bake a little in the warmth of the sun with the cool breeze blowing. 

Now that's a vacation! Farmleigh, folks. Don't forget. Must visit in Dublin, Ireland!

P.S. To readers asking what camera I am using, I am working with an old Nikon D40x with stock lens :)

x
TheBagHag

Travel: Saint Patrick's Cathedral, Ireland

Good morning Dublin, Ireland and the rest of the world :) I woke up extra early today-- not because of jetlag, but because I wanted to go for a nice run around my hotel. It's a beautiful, chilly morning in Dublin but that did not stop me from going outside-- after all, I had a wee bit too much of 30 degree- weather that I don't mind a little "freeze" :)

Plus to be running around this beautiful cathedral? I'm all for it!

This is the largest church in Ireland, Saint Patrick's Cathedral.  A little 4-1-1 on this church: this cathedral is said to be the earliest Christian site in Ireland, where Saint Patrick baptized the converts.

You can click this image to enlarge

Isn't it magnificent? 

I ended up heading back to the gym because it got a little too chilly, but what a great way to start the morning here in Dublin!

x
TheBagHag

Travel: Dublin, Ireland- Day 1

It took us nearly 20 hours to fly from Manila to Dublin, with a layover in Dubai. It has to be one of the longest flights I've ever taken, but lucky lucky me! First, I met F1 champ Lewis Hamilton on the Manila- Dubai route (he sat next to my brother!!!) and managed a photo with him (and an autograph I might add! Hello, fan girl!!) Second, I was upgraded from Business Class to First Class on our Emirates Airline Dubai- Dublin route (thanks to my DM & DBs for my free trip! Wheee!), so this baghag slept like a pig baby-- after watching Iron Lady of course. I couldn't miss that movie. Meryl Streep was incredible and her performance was so impressive!

Anyway, when we landed in Dublin, it took roughly about a 15- 20 minute drive to our hotel from the airport. I already began to take photos so that I may share them with you all.

It was by the way, a beautiful sunny day. We came to Ireland at the right time!

Trinity College 

I love hotel signs like this one!

Christchurch

The statue of James Connolly 

I didn't realize how colorful the buildings were until I saw these photos just now :) 

We went to Dublin Castle for the afternoon.

In the Drawing Room where Queen Victoria & Prince Albert's portraits were by the end of the hall

In the throne room, this was the chandelier. So ornate! The design of the chandelier had representations of both Britain and Ireland.

Photo from bottom up

Saint Patrick's Hall inside the Dublin Castle is now used for State functions.

Banners of the crests of the different Knights of Saint Patrick

It is a massive hall-- elaborate parties were once held in this great hall by Viceroys which culminated on March 17-- Saint Patrick's Day!

After the tour, I ended up sitting down in one of the outdoor benches and almost refused to move-- *brat mode LOL* come on, I was dead tired (also because immediately after we had checked into the hotel, my 2nd DB and I decided to do a quick 30 minute run in the gym to burn off all the food we ate on the plane LOL). So here, a shot which my 2nd DB took of me after he had laughingly told me that he'll just have to ask someone to uproot the bench to haul it back to our car.

Lol, I wore a lightweight Mr. Staypuff Marshmallow Man  jacket- my SIL bought this at Uniqlo. Bag: Tod's Denim Pashmy

Ok I know, I know, don't laugh. I am not exactly a fashion plate here, but this was me refusing to move an inch in my "it's my vacation and I will wear a bloody puffy coat because I want to" outfit-- but I draw the line with Uggs haha. No Uggs, sorry folks!  :D

After our tour for the day, we decided to end the day early by heading off to dinner. Where?

At The Hairy Lemon! I love how these pubs get named! How do they name these places anyway? I remember some really funny- named pubs back in London too :) Does anyone know why?

It was a nice looking pub

which prompted me to order a pint of Guinness beer-- and this was my FIRST time to drink Guinness. I normally don't care for the taste of beer. Plus I know it gives you a quick, bulgy gut which I am not really keen on adding to my body's other... ahem, layers (a.k.a. lifesaver rings :D)

Dinner is served! Beef Pot Pie-- stewed in Guinness Beer. With a pint of Guinness Beer!

I didn't really enjoy the pie as much but I was surprised to discover that I was not repelled by the taste of Guinness beer (unlike the others I had tried in the past). 

It's quite early still but I think I will already turn in for the night. I will attempt to wake up real early tomorrow to hit the gym again. I ate all the chips on the plate. And I am feeling guilty LOL-- even if I'm supposed to be on vacation!

Hope you enjoyed today's post! How about you peeps? How was your day? :) 

P.S. If you have instagram, please don't forget to add me :) I'm "thebaghag" there. Also do follow me on twitter.com/thebaghag since I update photos there more often :) 

x

TheBagHag