My First Trip to Ireland at 18

When I decided that the thing I wanted to do was to explore and travel it was really hard at first. I was 18 with money saved up but everyone went to college and I was still living at home with rules. My rule with travel was that I had to go with someone my parents always said. I proposed the trip of going to Ireland with my dad and as much as he is a homebody he agreed.

It was so hard to navigate at first and now travel is so simple to me. I want to show people that your dreams aren't as far fetched as people might make them seem. They might be hard to get but things really are limitless if you find a way. I spent months at home unsure but spent my time learning figuring everything out.

My local airport has airlingus direct flights to Ireland. I used this and decided it would be a great first trip. Once my dad agreed I bought the flights and planned what we would do and where we would go. It seemed scary at first, planning this whole thing somewhere I knew nothing about. My goal has always been to see every country and it continues to be. This was my start because I promise you as big as it seems there always is one.

I wrote every plan on a piece of looseleaf paper out of my notebook. I planned what cities we would go to when and how we would get there. Ultimately we took many trains and busses because Europe really is the place where that is the most cost effective and quickest. I was nervous the whole time like I would have messed up a plan but I really did pretty well.

We packed little carry ons which I think is the easiest with public transport and going to multiple cities and hotels. What I forgot was that it rains a lot in Ireland but we still managed to get a lot of sunny days. The people there were truly so sweet.

When my dad and I first got there we arrived in Dublin. We went to the iconic spots like the temple bar and shopped around. We would pass a carols souvenir store every 5 minutes and laugh because my dad would say something in the store looked good to buy and bring home and whenever we looked up it would be a carols. We however made a pact not to buy from carols because it was basic and literally everywhere.

We started out trip in Dublin then made a big circle. We went from Dublin to Kilkenny. We rode the train and I remember the moment of getting on the train listeing to 28 by Zach Bryan and thought how lucky am I to be on this train in Ireland doing exactly what I said I would. I spent so long dreaming and looking out that window I realized everything I dreamt up would come true for me. It sounds delusional but it all came true even looking back now. I got everything I ever wanted not in a stuck up way but in a way where I am so grateful to have made the choice I did after high school, to have chosen a very different route where initially everyone thought I was crazy.

We venured around Kilkenny then ended up getting a bit stranded because we could not find the bus stop out. We ended up waiting for the next bus a little later at a restaurant. We got on and headed to cork. We visited a cathedral and walked all around the town.

After Cork we headed to Dingle. Which we thought had just such a funny name. We had these really gross hotel with red carpet and it was so so funny. Dingle was the most scenic town we went to, it was right on the water with a lot of colorful buildings. The only issue was that it was pouring rain and we could hardly find anywhere to eat or even get drinks. We ended up going to the aquarium there which really was a hit of this trip. It truly was a gorgeous little town but I am really fast paced so there was not too much to do. We did about everything the town had.

After Dingle we went to Limerick. It was our favorite town of the trip and reminded us both of home so much. We saw kids at school, everyone there wears a uniform which was very different from the US. We walked all around and it was a super cool town. We went for drinks at a bar later and sat outside. We met these ladies and were chatting with them about life and the one even kissed my dad, I was in shock but it was really funny.

After this we zipped back to Dublin and spent one more day there.

This was a really simple trip we did not do any actvities besides the ones in the cities but it was the best start. We saw what places had to offer and no doubt the Temple bar is a must with all its crazy christmas decor. Every bar has really good music there too.

I was really proud of myself for this trip and it led to a lot after it. At the time I had no clue it was all coming and then there it was, London was the trip after which I get into in another blog post. Ireland was truly the start for me where I realized it was all entirely possible. Where everything was real it was not as crazy as it seemed.

The flights were longer then I had usually taken but I do reccomend public transport. I also reccomend a portable charger and checking when rainy season is before you go because the rain there the one day in Dingle was rain like no other. The grass there is very green though. The hotels are very good in price and will definitely fit for budget travelers and flights can be cheap if you are flexible with your dates.

I had known a friend in highschool who moved to my city from Limerick Ireland and it was crazy to see how he went from that to the US. I loved the Irish culture and how people were all out to have a good time. They are kind and helpful people. The landscape was absolutely gorgeous and if you get the chance, go while you can and are able.

This trip showed me that I was on the right path. I was at a point where I was so confused and scared I should have gone to college but this really made me feel capable. It made me sure of my planning skills and sure of my choices.

I urge people to travel as far and as wide as they can I believe it is the ultimate growth. To live is to grow and anywhere new expands you. This was not the largest culture difference in a place I have been to but it was my start out of the country with my own plans in mind.

I will always be thankful for this trip to Ireland it got me on my feet and it taught me that age is just a number. That people tend to conform but it does not mean that you have to. If you feel a certain way go for it and do it and do not let people tell you it is too crazy. Crazy ideas get you crazy places.

If you are young and unsure just try. Save up the money and go for it because you will always make it back. Experiences are the one thing we get to take away its the one thing we remember while everyhting else is fleeting. Take the opportunities that lay ahead of you even if they do not seem like your perfect idea at the time. I wanted to go alone and ended up having such a great time with my dad all around Ireland.

Always dance when you get the chance and while you still can. The same goes for traveling. I will always remember this trip and I am thankful to have started this all somewhere. Jump, even if it seems scary and especially then. If you are 18 and graduating high school just know you can go down whatever path you feel is right it does not have to be the path everyone else takes but have a plan. If you are looking to start traveling do it. If you do not know how start planning and in the process you will get there. Book the flexible flight then plan your route whether it is to one city or many. Book the hotels and find everything you would enjoy there. It really is simpler then you think.

Sometimes you just have to wing it and go for it and that will be your start.