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Mrs. Lovebug, Tucson Age and Occupation in 06: 31, Writer Fiance's Age and Occupation: 27, Professional Game Show Contestant Engagement Date: February 18, 2007 Wedding Date: April 19, 2008 Venue: Historic Inn About Me: Likes: blogging, wikis, semi-colons, cuddling, fragrant flowers, syntax, and spooning. Dislikes: typos, dangling modifiers, flypaper, citronella candles, and run-ons. If I had my druthers, I'd exchange simple vows in a candlelit library. But I lost my druthers long ago...anyone seen them?
About Mrs. Lovebug

One Full ‘Moon

May 8th, 2008 @ 5:47 pm by Mrs. Lovebug

I’m home! I’m home! I’m so excited to be home! Ireland was incredible, but we are soooo glad to be home. I have to say that if we were to do it again, we’d jet to the furthest tropical island we could afford and just LOUNGE. Our rather ambitious, all-over-Ireland itinerary wore. Us. Out.

We slept for 12-15 hours a night, and alas…did absolutely no ghost hunting. I know, I know! Pathetic, especially considering the awesome, creepy castles we stayed in. But we were completely, utterly exhausted from all our daily driving and sightseeing. (Oh, and that party we threw before we left did a number on us, too.) Not to mention, it doesn’t even get dark until 9:30 pm this time of year in Ireland. So while we made the most of our days, that’s about it.

But it was beautiful and we had a blast; Ireland is stunningly scenic and the people are so, so friendly. I’ve already shared a bunch of our “Best Of” set, but I hope I can forgiven the urge to share some more. Every inch of the country just begs to be photographed…

Pretty much every twenty feet, I was making Mr. Lovebug pull over so I could satisfy my urge to photograph every cute, weird, funny, or ironic sign we passed:

There were countless cool pub fronts to be photographed:

…and of course, the headstones. Every tiny town has a towering church filled with a yard of crumbling crosses:

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The Antrim Coast in Northern Island was breathtaking:

…and as animal lovers, we were pulling up alongside every roadside farm to say hello:

The steps down to the rope bridge at Carrick-a-rede in Northern Ireland:

Every forest we passed looked like it was made for “little people” and other sprites:

Vintage Guinness bottles line the shelves at the storehouse in St. James’s Gate, Dublin:

…and a lovely lakeside cottage near Donegal:

The half-sunny, half-cloudy conditions seemed to make every patch of greenery explode with color:

…and around every corner is an old manor or ruined estate peeking out from a well-worn road:

Signs don’t get more Irish than this:

…or murals, than this:

A viaduct near the Antrim Coast:

…and the rope bridge we braved (twice!):

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This guy was all ready for his closeup:

The pool at the spa at Solis Lough Eske Castle (an absolutely incredible hotel Ireland honeymooners must not miss!):

Mr. Lovebug gets his bearings at Giant’s Causeway:

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A path in the woods near Kingscourt:

…and the overgrown ruins of a friary:

Mr. LB strolls the grounds at Lough Eske Castle:

Lucky wishing in a lucky country:

The sheep we helped to herd with our tiny rental:

A bust in St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin:

And a few quick shots from our stopover in London:



As much fun as London was, I would have to encourage anyone with second thoughts about honeymooning there to have third and fourth thoughts, as well. Everything in and about the city - at least right now - is just comically expensive.

But for those of you planning a jaunt through Ireland, don’t let my stories of exhaustion scare you. It’s a really, really fun place to explore, especially by car, not to mention a photophile’s dream.

I would only say to give yourself plenty of time to get from city to city - there’ll be so many side trips you’ll want to take from the main roads (famous ruins, graveyards, castles, farms, etc.). And pack boots! Waterproof boots (my Wellies did the trick) - the almost constant mist/rain soaks everything, and you’ll be miserable without dry shoes.

A few other tips/suggestions for the Emerald Isle-bound:

1. Don’t bother trying to drive around Dublin. You’ll go insane, period. Leave your car at your hotel and bus around the city.

2. Solis Lough Eske Castle, in Donegal, is the best hotel I have ever stayed at in my life (and that’s including an over-water bungalow in Bora Bora). The castle itself is spectacular, the service is superb (they surprised us with rose champagne, upgraded us to a HUGE suite for free, allow guests full use of all spa facilities), and the town of Donegal is adorable and very friendly (check out old man McGinley’s sweater shop, but whatever you do, don’t let him get started on the fishermen’s knitting guild…). You can see the Lough Eske Castle website right here.

3. The Antrim Coast is gorgeous, but though the area looks small on a map, it takes several hours to get around (very curvy coastal roads). Visiting Giant’s Causeway, the rope bridge at Carrick-a-rede, and the Glens of Antrim aren’t something you can bust out in a day. Plan on spending several hours to get to any one place.

4. And finally - if you plan on drinking in cool little country road pubs (there’s a cute village about twenty minutes along every motorway in Ireland - the roads go right through them), bear this in mind: it gets really, really dark on those tiny, narrow, two-lane roads at night. No street lights, very few street signs - it can be totally disorienting if you’re driving. Just something to keep in mind.

Ok, guys. Thanks for letting me get this last bit of honeymooning out. Next up, professional photos from the wedding, finally! Woooo hooo!

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29 Responses to “One Full ‘Moon”

1.
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Guest
Jennifer

I’m so glad you’re back! No worries about sharing too many pictures- I think I could look at these all day long. Can’t wait to see your pro pics. Welcome back, you’ve been missed :)

 
2.
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Guest
kelly

I’m so excited by your photos! Looks like you had a fantastic time!

I am spending June in London… I think I’ll just sell my left kidney now to finance it! Thanks for the warning.

 
3.
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Member
Angel (message)  1,252 posts, Bumble bee

It’s so good to see your icon again! I want to know everything. That’s all.

 
4.
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Bee
Mrs. Corn (message)  1,010 posts, Bumble bee

YOU’RE BAAAAAAAACK!!!

i missed you.

–Dooce

 
5.
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Guest
Jenny

I am so jealous! All Eric has ever talked about it wanting to go to Ireland.. Maybe one of these days we’ll be able to go! It looks so fabulous! I’m glad you guys had a good time. :)

 
6.
Mrs. Bee
Bee
Mrs. Bee (message)  3,261 posts, Sugar bee

that’s how i felt about our spain honeymoon of barcelona, marbella, granada and seville. though it was fun, afterwards i wished we had just gone to a beach cuz we were exhausted.

welcome back!!!!! :)

 
7.
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Bee
Miss Cookie (message)  784 posts, Busy bee

When I lived in London, I was only able to go to Dublin for the weekend, but I would have loved to see the Irish countryside. So jealous! My MOH and her hubby honeymooned in Ireland, and they loved it!

London is incredibly expensive! I second thinking twice about honeymoon there, although I love the city so much!

 
8.
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sugarlens

FH and I want to go to Ireland and I am definitely going to reference your posts when we do. Thanks Mrs. Lovebug!

 
9.
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jhearta

YEAH YOU ARE BACK!!! cant wait to see pics of the wedding! i think you were missed immensely by the hive!!!!!!

 
10.
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Guest
BRS

It looks like you saw some great parts of the country Mrs. LB.
Donegal is absolutely my favourite County- even though I’m from Belfast, I’m a country girl at heart.
Did you make it to the Shrine at Knock? There are some amazing photo opportunity/ mad signs there.

 
11.
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sja

Welcome back!

 
12.
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Jenniferb

Welcome home! We missed you! Now gimme my Chris Richards photo fix! :)

 
13.
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Tara

Welcome back Mrs. L! Looks like you had blast, and that is great! And oh my god, I hear you about London … we were there last summer, and we had the best time, but I have never been so glad to sleep on an uncomfortable futon! It was my cousin’s, and therefore FREE. Phew.

 
14.
stargazerlily
Member
stargazerlily (message)  946 posts, Busy bee

I’m tired just LOOKING at all the cool sights you saw! Phew! Welcome home!

 
15.
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Guest
ladyjane

Good to have you back! But it sounds like you need a vacation after your honeymoon :)

 
16.
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Bee
Miss Hydrangea (message)  386 posts, Helper bee

Welcome back! You’ve been missed around here!

 
17.
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Guest
Red

Welcome Back!! Can’t wait to see even MORE pictures!

 
18.
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Member
LeahB (message)  427 posts, Helper bee

Welcome home!! We’ve missed you!! Love love LOVE all the pictures, anytime you want to post more, feel free!! But I seriously can’t wait to see pictures from the wedding! =D Welcome home, Mr. and Mrs. LB!

 
19.
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Guest
Stephanie

Welcome back ‘bug! :)

 
20.
Miss Tiramisu
Bee
Miss Tiramisu (message)  877 posts, Busy bee

We missssssssed you! Love the pictures, can’t wait to see more… welcome home!

 
21.
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Bee
Miss Gingerbread (message)  647 posts, Busy bee

Sounds like an amazing trip! Welcome back :)

 
22.
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Bee
Mrs. Lovebug (message)  714 posts, Busy bee

Thanks guys! JenniferB: lol! I know the feeling. They’re coming v. soon, I promise!

BRS: I’m afraid we didn’t make it there, no. So so much to see there…we drove around the whole country, but didn’t even make it to the Blarney Stone! (but that’s ok cuz I saw a double rainbow)

 
23.
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Guest
Eims

I am an Irish girl in the throws of planning my Houston, Texas wedding for August 2nd. I have been reading your posts avidly, I am so jealous that you got to go to my home and see it. It is just so beautiful and I miss it. I am so glad you both had fun!

 
24.
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bearbride (message)  309 posts, Helper bee

Just amazing photos and I really wanna go to Ireland now!!

 
25.
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Bee
Miss Pineapple (message)  676 posts, Busy bee

so freakin jealous.
Mr. Pineapple and I would love love love to go to ireland on our honeymoon, but alas it’s not going to happen this year.
Beautiful photos lovebug!

 
26.
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Guest
Mr. Pineapple

I WANNA GO IRELAND.

The photos and stories are spectacular, Mrs. Lovebug - glad the two of you enjoyed your visit :).

 
27.
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Bee
Miss Candy Corn (message)  516 posts, Busy bee

I’m happy your bunny-loving butt is back and that you had loads o’ fun. I hope you get to catch up on lots of much-needed rest this weekend!

 
28.
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NearlyMsSubrosa (message)  290 posts, Helper bee

Welcome back. I have really enjoyed your honeymoon photos… but can’t wait to see more wedding ones!

 
29.
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Guest
carrieitly

You packed Wellies! You good girl. I was so not under the assumption you would be attempting to drive in Dublin- I really hope you didn’t! It’s. tricky.

 


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Mrs. Lovebug Mrs. Lovebug, Tucson Age and Occupation in 06: 31, Writer Fiance's Age and Occupation: 27, Professional Game Show Contestant Engagement Date: February 18, 2007 Wedding Date: April 19, 2008 Venue: Historic Inn About Me: Likes: blogging, wikis, semi-colons, cuddling, fragrant flowers, syntax, and spooning. Dislikes: typos, dangling modifiers, flypaper, citronella candles, and run-ons. If I had my druthers, I'd exchange simple vows in a candlelit library. But I lost my druthers long ago...anyone seen them?
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