Dublin, the capital of the Republic of Ireland, was a lovely city! I loved visiting Trinity College to see the Old Library and Book of Kells. Trinity's campus was lively and beautiful. I also saw Dublin Castle. Dublin Castle served as headquarters for the British government in Ireland for hundreds of years. 

Kylemore Abbey is a castle that was built in 1871 as a country retreat for Irish aristocrats Mitchell and Margaret Henry. The castle has over 70 rooms and had many modern conveniences of the time, including its own electricity supply and high-powered water supply. 

In 1903, Mitchell Henry had to sell the estate due to old age and because the castle had become too expensive to maintain. He sold Kylemore to the wealthy Duke and Duchess of Manchester. The couple blew through their fortune, however, and were forced to sell it in 1914. 

Randomly, a community of Benedictine Nuns purchased the depreciated estate in 1920. They were forced to flee from France when their Abbey was destroyed in World War I. The castle became an Abbey and has been run by these nuns ever since.

We took a trip to Galway for the day and visited the University of Galway, Galway Cathedral, and the Galway Museum.

Our boat cruise around Westport's Clew Bay was so cool! Literally- it was freezing out on the ocean. There are 365 islands in Clew Bay with many cool Irish names. Examples include: Roeillaun (red earthen cliff), Inisherky, Inishcooa, Inishitra, Inishdooney, Inishkee, Muckinish, Inishoo, Inishgowla (island of the fork), Carraigeen-na-Francach (the rock of the Frenchman), Collanmore Island, Inisheany (the meeting place), Inishlyre, Inishgort, and The Island of World Peace.

We saw many adorable seals in the water and resting on an island in the bay!

Old Head Beach is about a thirty minute drive from our bed and breakfast in Westport. It is a lovely sandy stretch along the sea with great views of Ireland's holy mountain, Croagh Patrick!

Westport House- 20 minute walk from our bed and breakfast in Westport!