Ireland Prep, Packing, and Plans

Tomorrow, my mom and I are off to Ireland, and I could not be more excited. I haven’t left the country since 2013 when I went to France, so this trip feels long overdue. My great aunt recently bought a house there, which gave us the perfect reason to pack our bags and head across the Atlantic for a week of adventure, family, and probably a few too many pints.

We’re flying into Dublin and spending two full days there before heading to my aunt’s home and seeing everything she has planned for us. I tried not to overpack, but let’s be real, it’s nearly impossible. With Ireland’s famously rainy weather, I justified a few new purchases: a pair of rain boots and a fresh rain jacket. My suitcase is full of long sleeves, but I avoided too many bulky sweaters or sweatshirts since I know I’ll end up buying something cozy while I’m there.

For the flight, I’m wearing my comfiest sweats and my big travel hoodie, so no need to worry about those taking up space. My mom, on the other hand, is a total pro when it comes to packing. After seeing her perfectly organized suitcase, I realized I might have gone a little overboard and made some last-minute adjustments (LOL).

Once we land, our first two days in Dublin are already packed. We’re starting with a tour of Trinity College to see the Book of Kells and explore the campus with Trinity Trails. Then we’ll spend the rest of the day wandering through Dublin’s coffee shops, restaurants, and shops. After we settle into our hotel and grab a quick nap, we plan to bar hop for the night. I’m sure I’ll regret all the beer bloat later, but it’ll be worth every sip.

Saturday we’re diving deeper into Dublin with a visit to Dublin Castle, followed by afternoon tours at both Jameson and Guinness. After that, dinner and sleep will definitely be needed. Sunday we’ll make our way down to my aunt’s house and finally slow things down a bit.

I’m so ready to unplug, breathe, and enjoy a stress-free week in Ireland with my mom. It feels like the perfect time to reset and soak in a new adventure. I’m sure I’ll have plenty of stories, photos, and memories to share when I’m back.

See you soon, from across the pond.

D