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Tree Lady

(12,895 posts)
27. In 2019 I spent 3 months alone in Ireland
Thu Sep 25, 2025, 04:30 PM
Sep 25

I had never left US before except Canada. Couldn't find anyone to go with me and my hubby said he wouldn't leave dog so I went alone. Renting a car was expensive so I took trains, local buses and ferry. Few places were so remote north of Donegal I took taxi from Moville to a small pension that was also a sheep farm.

With a few exceptions I stayed in small pensions all over Ireland. Galway, Westport, Dingle, Doolin, Kilkee, Killarney, Cork, yoga retreat in the Burren, Ballina, Derry, Sligo, Dublin and Inishmaan Island.

I am Irish but my ancestors came here long ago during potato famine. I didn't want to do touristy things so mostly went to small pubs and hiked the hills and cliffs. I met so many wonderful people a few I am still in contact with.

I think Donegal is wonderful, I was walking a mile from town where bus dropped me off to small pension and a woman stopped half way and insisted on giving me a ride. Then invited me to a clothing swap party which I had never heard of but I went and it was me and 6 other women in a country house trying on each others clothes and laughing our asses off while drinking and eating. It was the second place I stayed at but what a wonderful welcome to the country.

It's a small town so I am sure you will get to know some of them. I loved the cozy pubs there. I wish you the best and a bit jealous you can go.

Recommendations

3 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

Never think of yourself as being a "drain on the system" Prairie Gates Sep 25 #1
thank you CountAllVotes Sep 25 #4
I agree with Praire Grass..you are not a drain on a system that you have paid into all these years Deuxcents Sep 25 #9
Maybe hire someone to do the hard stuff? I'd say go for it, if you can arrange lodging. 58Sunliner Sep 25 #2
Best of luck to you! Delphinus Sep 25 #3
Great fear CountAllVotes Sep 25 #7
My wife and I visited Ireland last year around this time Klondike Kat Sep 25 #11
My dear CAV, first of all, I applaud you for your courage in considering niyad Sep 25 #5
Wow -- I'm envious. Do you have friends or relatives in Donegal? It would help your allegorical oracle Sep 25 #6
My family is from Donegal CountAllVotes Sep 25 #8
If you have anyone you trust in a no income tax state IbogaProject Sep 25 #10
Don't need Medicare CountAllVotes Sep 25 #18
OK, just do some research IbogaProject Sep 25 #34
The grass is not always greener on the other side, not even in Ireland. Gimpyknee Sep 25 #12
I don't get out much CountAllVotes Sep 25 #19
Re Priest's advice - That was then, this is now. No Vested Interest Sep 25 #32
My selfish side says, don't go because we don't want to lose StarryNite Sep 25 #13
If you're a citizen with a passport not sure why you would need an income TxGuitar Sep 25 #14
Agreed Prairie Gates Sep 25 #15
exactly CountAllVotes Sep 25 #23
Something that I personally find helpful anciano Sep 25 #16
Good luck with the move. Old Crank Sep 25 #17
Bank of Ireland CountAllVotes Sep 25 #21
I wish you the best lindalou65 Sep 25 #20
moving to Ireland pamdb Sep 25 #22
as I mentioned CountAllVotes Sep 25 #24
Huh? A minimum 50k Euros PoindexterOglethorpe Sep 25 #25
That would seem reasonable for someone wanting to immigrate... regnaD kciN Sep 25 #30
Go for it! WhiteTara Sep 25 #26
In 2019 I spent 3 months alone in Ireland Tree Lady Sep 25 #27
When you change environment, especially when you change countries, you have the possibility fierywoman Sep 25 #28
I have a cousin who gained dual citizenship Warpy Sep 25 #29
I share your dual citizenship with the same countries! debsy Sep 25 #31
Here's a thought-- Bayard Sep 25 #33
If I wanted to leave with all my friends and family we'd need an ocean liner. hunter Sep 25 #35
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