Until I met hubby I had never left Western NY except to travel across the border 20-30 minutes to Niagara Falls Canada. I can still remember my excitement as I drove over the Pennsylvania state line for the first time in a short trip in search of sparklers and bottle rockets around the 4th of July. I was in my 20’s and actually teared up a little… (Dorky, I know.) I was so excited to see something new and be in a state other than NY, even if it was only for an hour or two. Since then hubby and I have gone to the Thousand Islands in NY, North Carolina (a handful of times – Beautiful Wilmington and Oceanside Topsail Island, Carolina Beach and Nags Head – Love, Love, LOVE), Washington DC/Alexandria VA, and the state of Washington (Seattle, San Juan Island, Forks – words cannot express the beauty).

I feel so blessed to have been able to see the places I have been. The only problem is I yearn to explore and see more! Which brings me to my wish for this Wednesday – to visit and vacation in Ireland!

My great grandparents on my mother’s side are from Ireland (Kilkenny to be exact) and my Grandma Lily always wanted to visit. There is just something that seems tZZZZZZZo pure and magical about Ireland. I would love to someday see the country first hand!

If I am ever lucky enough to visit here are some places I would love to see and things I would love to do while there!

1 – Slieve League Cliffs

#donegal #slieveleaguecliffs #slieveleague #instadonegal

A photo posted by Shirley Carson (@shirley.carson) on Jan 10, 2016 at 10:36am PST

2 – Classiebawn Castle

3 – Swim Forty Foot

4- Killarney

5 – Lough Gur / Ballyhoura

6 – Kylemore Abbey

Photo by @jeffmauritzen. Kylemore Abbey can be found on the west coast of #Ireland in County Galway. Located in a beautiful natural area known as #Connemara, a visit to this castle & abbey are a welcome addition to any Ireland #bucketlist. I can’t recommend it enough. Enjoy! #kylemoreabbey

A photo posted by National Geographic Travel (@natgeotravel) on Jul 29, 2015 at 4:26am PDT

7 – Dingle Peninsula

Photo by @jeffmauritzen. A drive down the #dinglepeninsula to Slea Head in #Ireland is every bit as beautiful and spectacular as you might imagine. Beware though, the stunning scenery surrounding you at every curve will tempt you to take your eyes off this small little road, that actually has to fit two way traffic, including cars, buses, tractors and the occasional herd of cattle or flock of sheep. Enjoy! #Ireland #bucketlist

A photo posted by National Geographic Travel (@natgeotravel) on Aug 4, 2015 at 9:07am PDT

8 – Giant’s Causeway

9 – Ballynoe Stone Circle

10 – Blarney Castle

Blarney Castle, Co. Cork, Ireland (no I didn’t kiss the germ infested stone while hanging upside down, backwards from the top!) #ireland #contax645 #blarneycastle #irelandphotographer

A photo posted by A S H L E Y S L A T E R (@ashleyslaterphotography) on Jan 1, 2016 at 11:06am PST

11 – Dublin

• Sun kissed Dublin 🏙🍀 • #dublin #dublincity #discoverdublin #dublinireland #igersdublin #lovedublin #vscodublin #instadublin #visitdublin #igdublin #irelandaily #insta_ireland #tourismireland #loves_ireland

A photo posted by Monika Peuc (@monikaharmonika) on Jan 13, 2016 at 5:54am PST

12 – Eas a’ Ranca Waterfall at Ardara

13 – The Dark Hedges Co. Antrim, Bregagh Road5

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