So many sites, so little time!

There is so much to do and see in Ireland that it was a challenge to narrow down what we wanted to see and do.  We’ve (well actually I–my hubby is content to let me do most of the planning) narrowed it down to 8 locations and as I now look at the areas I circled on the map most seem to be near the coasts.

I wish we could have had the time and means to see more of the interior of Ireland, perhaps if we’re lucky enough to get to visit again that will be our focus.  I have a romantic notion of upon retirement spending six month to a year in Ireland, to get a real sense of daily life in another country.

I have secured all the organized tours that we will be taking, a total of 5, with only one small disappointment.  The tour I wanted to take out of Belfast was booked full until November!!  It consisted of the Giant’s Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge and the Dark Hedges.  I found another tour that is comparable but doesn’t include the Dark Hedges location.  I really wanted to visit the Dark Hedges, not because I am a fan of the Games of Thrones show (I’ve never watched an episode) but because I have an affection for trees, especially very old trees….trees that tell a story. It would have been an awesome experience to walk under such a grand canopy & mysterious tunnel of these very old beech trees.  Ah…the stories they might tell!

As I was studying the map of Ireland I wanted some perspective as to how large the country is, so I did a little bit of research and found some interesting facts.

• The country of Ireland (27,132 square miles) is roughly the size of the State of Indiana (36,418 square miles) here in the USA.

  

   

• The population of Ireland is approximately 4.7 million, the population of Indiana is approximately 6.6 million.
• Average annual rainfall in Ireland, ~29.5 and 39.4 inches in the eastern half of the country & ~39.4 and 49.2 inches in the western half of the country.  Average annual rainfall in Indiana, ~37 inches in the north half of the state & ~47 inches in the south half of the state.
• Ireland has over 3,000 miles of coastline, which is similar to my home state of Michigan which has 3,288 miles of coastline.