Arrive in Shannon Ireland for a Relaxing Drive

So many adventurers start their journey in the majestic old-world city of Dublin. I prefer to fly to the west coast of Ireland and start my escapades in Shannon. The Shannon airport is smaller, easier to get through customs and has quick car rental stations. They also have a wonderful duty free to explore when you depart. I picked up a one-of-a-kind diamond claddagh ring on my last trip there. It takes a little longer travel time from California but puts me in the right area of the country to start exploring. When arriving in Shannon, I usually have a car reserved, which really is the best way to see this picturesque country and its lush countryside. It’s also the best way to enjoy the numerous pubs you encounter in every small town. What a relaxing drive.

Driving on the left side does require some getting used to, but with enough practice around the car port, driving becomes more natural before heading out to the expressway.

Hint: Try not to veer to the right side as going up over a curb is frowned upon.

A Favorite Place to Stay

One of my favorite places to stay is right outside Shannon Airport called the “Park Inn Radisson Shannon Airport.” It is super convenient, and the rooms are economical. You just walk across the car port to the Inn to have a good night sleep before driving into the heart of Shannon. I enjoy their Shepards pie and a tasty Irish coffee before going to bed. Irish coffee always warms me up after a long day of airports & navigating customs. In the morning, the Inns breakfast selection is extensive.

Choosing a Car to Rent

In the light of day, I walk back over to the airport, go to the pre rented car station & usually pick up an automatic vehicle. A stick shift requires more of my concentration which I prefer to use when driving on the left. An automatic car is a little more expensive but well worth it for the first-time traveler. Now that everyone is well rested our family adventure begins.

Starting out with a rental car can be frustrating until you get the knack of your engine going quiet when you come to a stop. The first time it happened to me; I drove back & wanted to trade in the car. The rental agent informed me that in idle the car appears to be off but once you press the gas, the engine starts up again. It’s a fuel-saving feature that comes in handy. I don’t have to buy as much petrol on our trips around the Island. Next, we head onto the expressway. We pass through Shannon briefly as it is a very small town. This time around we plan to spend some time in Limerick. It is a quick and easy drive. Limerick roads are a lot less crowded than California, so driving is a breeze.

Arriving at you Destination

Once in Limerick, we park the car and start walking. It’s really the best way to get the feel of a town. I like to stay at the “Limerick Strand Hotel.” The rooms can be a little small, but we don’t spend much time in them. The hotel is located across from a pedestrian bridge for an easy walk into the city for lunch or dinner. It is centrally located for both coming and going all around Cork County. Sometimes I like to rent a bicycle. It’s a great workout for your legs & a stress free way to become one with the lush, green countryside. It’s also a great way to get rid of tense muscles after flying.

Limerick Adventure with World Wings Inc.

My last trip to Limerick was a reunion with Pan Am flight crews of yesteryear. It was focused on the Foynes Flying boat & Maritime Museum. Check it out at: [email protected]. This museum is located on the outskirts of Limerick along the Foynes waterway which saw the launch of Pan Am’s Boeing’s 314 flying boat. Our tour was delightful. It has an extensive history overview and lots of good information about the beginnings of aviation history focusing on Pan Am’s many years of collaboration with the Foynes town folk.

O’Regan’s Restaurant

The small restaurant at the end of the museum tour serves delicious food. We especially liked the variety of Isish pastries, as well as their world-famous Irish Coffee. My mom & I had two glasses. Local dancers and musicians entertained us with many a story being told before our afternoon ended. I would highly recommend a side trip to this museum. It takes about half a day to get through all the exhibits and eat, plus driving time to get there.

Limerick Strand Hotel: #Travel Tip

The Limerick Stand has a safe in each room to keep your valuables. I like to put some money & ID in my pocket instead of carrying a purse. The passports go into the safe. Then we head out to explore. One time my daughter & I were walking back from the downtown area. It was turning dusk. I had taken my shoulder purse with me and could see a bicyclist coming fast down the sidewalk heading straight for us. I leaned into my daughter & pulled her to the edge of the sidewalk while the cyclist quickly rode past. My daughter immediately knew why I had tugged her close to me. She too felt something was not right that night. I’ve always been a cautious traveler, staying alert to my surroundings.

Reminder: Explore/Stay Safe/Be Cautious

I learned many of my travel safety lessons while living in New York City as a stewardess. My first apartment was a 4^th floor brownstone walkup on the lower west side of Manhattan known as Hell’s Kitchen. The local drug dealer Angel took me under his supervision & gave me a lot of practical advice. It’s advice I’ve used for over 40 years, and his story can be found in my book “Destined to be a Pan Am Stewardess a.k.a. Flight Attendant.”

Lesson #1

One of the first tips he gave me was to stay on the outside edge of a sidewalk. If you veer inwards to the apartments, you can easily be pushed down & robbed. One night I was walking home alone along 49^th street in Manhattan around 10pm when 3 men came walking toward me. Two were on the opposite side of the street & the third was coming straight towards me. I had remembered Angels words & stepped off the sidewalk walking into the middle of the street. As we passed each other, the third man crossed over to the other side of the street and just after passing me, rejoined his friends. Suddenly, I heard someone shouting at me. I turned around while still walking & one of the men asked me “who taught you how to do that?” I replied: “Angel.”

Lesson #2

Another travelling tip he gave me, being so naïve at only 23 years old with little life experience, was when you’re lost don’t stand around looking lost. Go into a building or restaurant until you can figure out your next move. A piece of advice that helped me many times while visiting dangerous cities around the world.

One of Irelands Oldest Towns

Our Welch family heritage dates back to the Vikings, in fact, “Eric the Red.” I learn so much about my ancestral past every time I return to this part of the country. Limerick, located in the heart of County Cork, is one of the oldest towns in Ireland. I like to take a walking tour of downtown Limerick city which is rich with Viking history. Tour guides are very knowledgeable & always quite funny. It’s always very chilly or downright cold so make sure to wear your best Irish sweater when exploring the many castles and waterways. I hope you enjoy this part of Ireland as much as I do. Plan to stay at least 2-3 days. Make sure you leave enough room in your luggage for buying Irish clothes and wool socks which will last you a lifetime.

Luggage Travel Tip

I like to use a small coin purse that can be tucked away in my pants pocket. This helps me feel safer when out & about and less bulky than a fanny pack. Jeans are my preferred clothing option when touring a city. They have plenty of pockets, are very durable and are easier to keep clean as old-world dust can ruin nice clothes. Most hotels will have a safe to store valuables right in your room. All you need to do is select a code and then remember it. I will try out my chosen code opening and closing the safe before putting anything of value in it. Remember to write the code down just in case you forget it later. I prefer to take a backpack with me instead of a purse for long travels. I suggest choosing a backpack with hidden pockets & one that is not too big, heavy or bulky.  It’s great to have the roomy interior of a sturdy bag when you happen to find a souvenir or two or three.

Don’t forget to check out my YouTube Channel for choosing the right luggage for your next adventure. It can be accessed by clicking the video box icon at the top of any page.