Nine moments from Ireland
Going, going, gone / Issue 1,433
Oh, hi friends!
What is travel?
Going away — from your routines, surroundings, and waves of the day.
It's refreshing and stretching yourself at the same time.
I realized when you're somewhere new, you're more likely to push yourself to do things.
Because if not now, when?
You're not going to say, I'll just do that tomorrow. The museum or shop or cool-looking bridge can wait.
Because here, in this new city and place, there is no tomorrow. You're on to the next.
Back at home, there are endless tomorrows and tomorrows and tomorrows.
Or so we think.
I didn't get to my pages today, oh well, too bad.
I haven't checked out that new restaurant in my neighborhood, hmm, there's always later.
When you're traveling, time scarcity is everywhere.
You think, I'll do it now, because now is all I have.
I'm trying to bring back that feeling and cultivate it here, at home.
Choose deliberately, and not delay until tomorrow.
Here are a few moments from Ireland I was very glad to have and will hold on to this year.
Our friends Jane and Jimi moved to Dublin and opened a restaurant there a year and a half ago.
And their restaurant, D'Olier Street, just received a Michelin star.
AMAZING, RIGHT?!
Seeing what they've built with such care and joy and authenticity to who they are is beyond inspiring — and enjoying the brilliant 13-course tasting menu just felt like an added bonus.
It's so gratifying to watch your friends do what they were always meant to do.
Connemara and the west coast of Ireland is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been. We walked and hiked and cooed over every sheep.
I scooped up this orphaned lamb and have never been happier.
(It was at a sheep farm so this behavior was allowed.)
The view from the top of Diamond Hill (more like a mountain).
We hiked 10 miles around Killary Fjord, and 10 miles through the “Western Way” the next day.
People started saying, "You might be able to see the Northern Lights tonight!" So we went outside around midnight, in a valley in the middle of a small town, and we saw the Northern Lights. An unexpected, unprecedented gift.
Fell in love with a three-legged cat.
Despite appearances, he was actually very sweet.
Can never unsee this, um, evocative painting on the side of the school on Inishbofin island.
Fell in love with a baby horse.
Admired how enterprising it is to sell rocks on the side of the road.
Bought a rock by leaving a few euros in a waterproof jar.
Additional cultural trinkets not pictured: Incessantly singing "How the lamps in the park / Look like God in the dark / As they glow / On the streets of Dublin…" and name-checking every Martin McDonagh play as we navigated through cities. (The Beauty Queen of Leenane, The Lieutenant of Inishmore...)
What is travel, in the simplest terms?
Moving and seeing in new ways.
Peaceful, powerful and poignant photos. Please write a few more "Ireland" posts.
More photos, too!
Ohhh! So exciting. I am going to Ireland this fall and am going to try to get a reservation here :)