Getting to Ireland involved a lot of waiting.

We headed to Dublin via Toronto. Given the frequency of delays, I opted not to book a 2-hour connection time but booked an 8+-hours window to connect. The flight from Calgary arrived in Toronto early so the wait was even longer. We went to the Air Canada signature suite which is very nice, much like a good restaurant but it was still a long wait. Having rose early in the morning, we were tired but tried to stay awake so we would sleep during the transAtlantic leg of the journey.

Boarded on time.

Then we left on time and arrived early so there was not a lot of time for sleeping—less than 5 hours in the air.

Passport control in Dublin Airport is still the old fashioned booth with a real person with a stamp and not the huge confusion of the new electronic systems that started in many European countries this year and which everyone complains about.

We were quickly out the airport and onto the Dublin Express bus from the airport to Heuston Station, one of two train stations in Dublin. We were taking the train west so had to go the Heuston station.

We bought a light lunch for the train trip and coffees to help wake up. Then we had a wait for the train to Cork which would take us to Mallow. I slept most of the 2+ hours.

The views are green as expected.

The change of trains at Mallow only required crossing the platform or ardán, the Gaelic word for platform. Lots of Gaelic signs at the stations and announcements on the train are in Gaelic and English.

In just over an hour we reached Killarney train station. Of course, it was starting to rain so we took a taxi for the 5 minute drive to Victoria hotel.

Our hotel is just outside the town centre and near Killarney National Park.

Our room is spacious and before unpacking, Scott lay down for a nap.

We went for a short walk after the sprinkling of rain stopped.

After Calgary’s cold snowy spring, even the weeds in the verge look good here.

The town isn’t big but I assume the pony and cart is for tourists.

The weather is cool but mild enough to sit outside for a cocktail.

The hotel restaurant, The Ivy, was highly recommended so we tried it for dinner. There seemed to be a lot of locals dining as the people at different tables were visiting each other and speaking with Irish accents. Sometimes I can’t understand what they’re saying although I’m pretty sure they’re speaking English.

Service was very prompt. Scott had a fishbowl sized gin and tonic which he had barely sipped before our starters arrived. The chowder was a meal in itself as it was served with house made brown bread and creamy local butter.

I forgot to take photos of our mains. Scott had lamb shank and I had baked chicken. It was a good first dinner but we got back to our room and immediately started getting ready for bed.