Ireland: Castles, Cliffs, and My Alive-Aversary

Ireland had been on my bucket list for a long time, and after spending a week there, I can honestly say it exceeded every expectation. The trip was filled with breathtaking landscapes, castles, incredible food, meaningful celebrations, and memories that I will cherish forever. Most importantly, it gave me the chance to celebrate my fifth alive-aversary. A milestone that means more to me than words can express.

Day 1: Landing in Ireland

Our adventure began when we landed in Ireland at 7:30 a.m. after an overnight flight. The only problem? I had managed to get about three hours of sleep on the plane. Three hours of sleep is never ideal, but somehow excitement carried me through the day.

As if jet lag wasn't enough, my Mom immediately faced her own challenge: driving on the opposite side of the road. Watching her adjust to Irish roads was an adventure in itself. There were definitely a few moments when we had to remind ourselves which lane we belonged in, but she handled it like a champ.

Our first stop was an adorable breakfast spot called Tea & Tones in Shannon. After traveling all night, a warm breakfast and a good cup of tea were exactly what we needed. It was the perfect introduction to Ireland's cozy charm.

From there, we headed to Bunratty Castle. I love history, and seeing such a well-preserved medieval castle was incredible. Walking through the castle felt like stepping back in time. Every room seemed to tell a story, and the views from the upper levels were amazing.

Next came one of Ireland's most famous attractions: the Cliffs of Moher.

Pictures truly do not do these cliffs justice. Standing at the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, looking out at the dramatic cliffs stretching into the distance, was absolutely breathtaking. The wind was strong, the ocean was endless, and the scenery was unlike anything I had ever experienced.

By the time we finished exploring and arrived at our Airbnb that evening, exhaustion finally caught up with us. Between the travel, the lack of sleep, and a full day of sightseeing, we were ready to collapse into bed.

Day 2: The Journey to Rossbeigh Beach

After a much-needed night's sleep, we packed up and traveled toward our next Airbnb near Rossbeigh Beach.

One thing I quickly learned about Ireland is that sometimes the drive is just as beautiful as the destination. Rolling green hills, stone fences, sheep grazing in fields, and ocean views seemed to appear around every corner.

Along the way, we visited Killarney National Park. The park was absolutely stunning. Everywhere we looked there were beautiful lakes, mountains, and forests. It felt peaceful and untouched, like something straight out of a storybook.

That evening, we had dinner at Jack's Coastguard Restaurant. The food was incredible, but what I loved most was the view. Sitting by the sea, watching the waves and enjoying a meal with my Mom and friends, felt like one of those simple moments that become treasured memories.

Day 3: My Alive-Aversary

May 30th was one of the most important days of the entire trip. Five years ago, my life changed forever. I suffered cardiac arrest. I was on a ventilator. There were moments when my future was uncertain. The fact that I am here today, traveling across the world and celebrating life in Ireland, is something I never take for granted.

Every year I celebrate what I call my Alive Day, or my alive-aversary. It's a reminder of survival, resilience, and gratitude.

This year, I couldn't imagine a more beautiful place to celebrate than Ireland. We started the day with breakfast at Emilie's, which was fantastic. Then we visited the Kells Sheepdogs demonstration. I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but it ended up being one of the coolest experiences of the trip. Watching the sheepdogs work was incredible. The intelligence, speed, and teamwork between the dogs and their handlers were amazing to witness.

To celebrate my alive-aversary, we did something uniquely Irish: a traditional seaweed bath. This experience was unlike anything I had ever done before. The warm bath was relaxing, and the setting was absolutely beautiful. Looking out at the stunning scenery while reflecting on everything that had happened over the past five years felt incredibly meaningful.

I found myself thinking about how different life looked five years ago compared to now. Back then, I was fighting simply to survive. Now I was sitting on the coast of Ireland, celebrating life and creating new memories.

It was impossible not to feel grateful.

That evening, we went to Castle Beach and had dinner at Carol's Cove. The views were spectacular. We watched the water, enjoyed great food, and ended my alive-aversary in the best possible way.

Day 4: Exploring Cork and Kinsale

The next day, we made our way toward Cork. On the journey, we stopped in Kinsale, a colorful coastal town that immediately became one of my favorite places in Ireland. The streets were charming, the buildings were vibrant, and the whole town had such a welcoming atmosphere.

While there, we visited Charles Fort. The fort sits overlooking the harbor and offers incredible views. Walking through the historic site gave us another glimpse into Ireland's rich history, and the scenery was absolutely stunning.

Later, back in Cork, we visited The Old Town Whiskey Bar. It had exactly the kind of cozy Irish pub atmosphere you hope to find when visiting Ireland. Great food, great drinks, and great conversation made for a perfect evening.

Day 5: Arriving at Blackwater Castle

Monday brought us to Blackwater Castle, one of the places I had been looking forward to most.

Our friends Esme and Kolin had chosen this incredible castle as their wedding venue, and it honestly felt like something out of a fairytale. The castle itself was beautiful, surrounded by lush green countryside and filled with character. Everywhere you looked there was another stunning room, staircase, or view.

That evening, everyone gathered for a welcome dinner. It was wonderful meeting friends and family, catching up with people, and sharing the excitement leading up to the wedding. There was something special about being in a castle in Ireland, surrounded by people celebrating love and friendship.

Day 6: The Wedding

Tuesday was wedding day. Ireland delivered exactly the weather you would expect: a light Irish mist hung in the air, creating an atmosphere that somehow made everything feel even more magical. The ceremony was beautiful.

Watching Esme and Kolin exchange vows in such a stunning setting was unforgettable. The entire day felt warm, joyful, and full of love. As the evening continued, the celebration only got better. There was laughter, music, dancing, and plenty of fun.

We danced, celebrated, and partied well into the night. By the end of it, my brain was complete mush, but it was worth every second.

Day 7: Blarney Castle and a Personal Victory

On Wednesday, we visited Blarney Castle and Gardens. The grounds alone were gorgeous. The gardens seemed to go on forever, with beautiful paths, flowers, and hidden corners waiting to be explored. Of course, the main attraction was the famous Blarney Stone.

For years, I had heard about people climbing to the top of the castle to kiss the stone, but I honestly wasn't sure if I would be able to do it. After my stroke and the paralysis that followed, certain physical challenges can still feel intimidating. Looking up at all those steep stairs, I wondered whether I should even try.

BUT I did. Step by step, I climbed. The higher I got, the more determined I became.

Finally, I reached the top. And then I kissed the Blarney Stone.

It might seem like a small thing to some people, but for me it was a huge personal victory. Five years ago, I was fighting for my life. Years later, after everything my body has been through, I had climbed a medieval castle and accomplished something I never thought I could do.

The stairs afterward were no joke, and I was definitely feeling them, but the sense of accomplishment made every step worth it.

Day 8: Heading Home

Before we knew it, Thursday had arrived. We woke up early and headed to the airport for the long journey home.

As tired as I was, I spent much of the trip reflecting on everything we had experienced over the previous week.

The castles.

The cliffs.

The coastline.

The wedding.

The seaweed bath.

The sheepdogs.

The Blarney Stone.

The laughter.

The friendships.

And most importantly, the chance to celebrate another year of life.

Final Reflections

This trip was about so much more than visiting Ireland. It was about celebrating survival.

It was about honoring how far I've come since my cardiac arrest, stroke, and all of the challenges that followed. It was about proving to myself that even after everything I've been through, there are still adventures waiting for me.

Five years ago, I was lying in a hospital bed connected to machines that were keeping me alive. This year, I celebrated that same date standing on the coast of Ireland, surrounded by beauty and possibility.

That perspective is something I never want to lose. Ireland gave me incredible memories, but it also gave me a chance to pause and appreciate the journey that brought me here.

Life is precious. Life is unpredictable. Life is beautiful. And this trip reminded me just how grateful I am to be living it.