Solo Trip to Ireland

I took a leap of faith on a solo trip to Ireland. What I uncovered was more faith and courage in myself, an awakened creative side, many, many new friends around the world, and my Irish roots. We really are a lucky bunch.

“May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face. May the rains fall soft upon your fields, and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.” – Irish Blessing

View this post on Instagram

Day 1 of 10 | Dublin, Ireland Trinity Library and the Book of Kells Learned so much of Ireland’s monastic history, the vikings not so great tales and how this place came to be. #eatprayguinness #ireland #canigetabook

A post shared by EliseKovi (@elisekovi) on Jul 20, 2018 at 3:50pm PDT

View this post on Instagram

Day 2 of 10 | Dublin, Ireland. Temple Bar and Jameson Distillery Tour. “Sine Metu” Without Fear is on the label of their whiskey bottles and speaks to their history as a company trying to make it in a war-torn time, overcoming a lot of obstacles to follow their passions and succeed. That hit me hard, and spoke to a lot to the reservations I had leading up to that day. Fear puts up a lot of doubt, but it’s pushing through that that leads to great experiences. I wouldn’t have made all of these great connections. Met people from Germany, the Netherlands, Serbia, Canada, Chicago, San Diego, UCLA (my Alma mater!) and New Jersey during and after the Jameson Tour (also our tour guide looked like Harry Potter). Jameson bringing people together. And more importantly we wouldn’t have Jameson. 🙂 #eatprayguinness #slainte Sign reads: Everyone who passes through this door brings happiness. Some Some by entering. Some by leaving. Photo credit 📷: to my new Canadian friend I met at the Jameson Tour! Also shoutout to my new UK friend that said my backpack made me look like a #ghostbuster. Forever friends we will be. #eatprayjameson (Also some art market wanderings before getting to Jameson)

A post shared by EliseKovi (@elisekovi) on Jul 20, 2018 at 4:15pm PDT

View this post on Instagram

Day 3 of 10 | Rental Car, Galway, Quays Bar (Pronounced Keys) Oh hey, Galway, I see you. Took 2 hours at the rental car facility to get my rental car 🚗, but was able to book my BnBs in line 🙌🏻. Was given this gem that helped me navigate left side (strong side) driving and made it to Galway! Early morning run with the one and only @clvshrpr last day in Dublin! She taught me to look left. (No, right?) Met teachers and peripherally the owner of the fish and chips place McDonagh’s via said teachers. And met such warm, lovely people, my Galway family mum and dad @marilynmcnamaraadams @eadams431 Love you guys! Thanks for taking me under your wings. Photo credit 📷: @eadams431 look at his stuff! AND a bridal party rolled in. I love me a good wedding 💕🌻 (Backpack appearance once again)

A post shared by EliseKovi (@elisekovi) on Jul 21, 2018 at 5:38am PDT

View this post on Instagram

Day 4 of 10 | Parkmore and Kinvara | Morning Run 🏃🏼‍♀️ with the sheep to the water, but more like the sheep running away from me 🐑(let me love you!) Thinking about scoping out places for @novemberproject Ireland. #recruit #Novemberproject #Ireland #Eatprayguinness #swim

A post shared by EliseKovi (@elisekovi) on Jul 21, 2018 at 5:57am PDT

View this post on Instagram

Day 5 of 10 | Cliffs of Moher and Doolin | Spent all day at the Cliffs of Moher soaking in the sunshine ☀️ #eatprayguinness #ireland

A post shared by EliseKovi (@elisekovi) on Jul 21, 2018 at 6:46am PDT

View this post on Instagram

Fill in blanks | Ireland Testing 1, 2, 3… #eatprayguinness #ireland #draw

A post shared by EliseKovi (@elisekovi) on Jul 21, 2018 at 8:59am PDT

View this post on Instagram

Day 6 of 10 | Ireland’s highest peak Devil’s Ladder. I told Eugenio I wanted to hike. He chose the highest peak, claiming it wasn’t that high. One Devil’s Ladder later. Never know what you’re capable of until you do it. Thanks for making me reach higher, Entrenador. #bigbroisintown #neverstopexploring #novemberproject @novemberproject @novemberprojectbos @poleary87 Did you run up this? #hiking View is higher up here Scrambling photo 📷: Eugenio #eatprayguinness

A post shared by EliseKovi (@elisekovi) on Jul 25, 2018 at 10:33am PDT

View this post on Instagram

Day 6 of 10 (cont) | Killarney | Ross Castle at Sunset. Skipping rocks reliving our childhood. Moving in. Hope that’s cool. #Ireland #castles #househunters #eatprayguinness #killarneynationalpark

A post shared by EliseKovi (@elisekovi) on Jul 25, 2018 at 10:31am PDT

View this post on Instagram

Day 6 of 10 (cont) | Killarney | Ross Castle at Sunset. Skipping rocks reliving our childhood. Moving in. Hope that’s cool. #Ireland #castles #househunters #eatprayguinness #killarneynationalpark

A post shared by EliseKovi (@elisekovi) on Jul 25, 2018 at 10:31am PDT

View this post on Instagram

Day 7 of 10 (cont.) | Dingle | Peaceful Dingle. Monastic sites, a Thomas Kinkade-esque pastoral countryside and Star Wars filmed nearby #eatprayguinness

A post shared by EliseKovi (@elisekovi) on Jul 25, 2018 at 8:51pm PDT

View this post on Instagram

Day 8 of 10 | Cobh , Cork, Blarney, Kilkenney | Found my family crest which means “Champion” or “Strength” and that we had a few Gaelic footballers and orators in our family history. At Blarney Castle met my favorite traveler to date, Jodi Savage, who let me sit below the Blarney Stone with him to blow it a kiss as neither of us needed the gift of gab. He made jokes while we waited for his wife to come down from the castle. On to Kilkenney where Gaelic Football memorabilia was everywhere. #eatprayguinness #savage

A post shared by EliseKovi (@elisekovi) on Jul 28, 2018 at 10:09am PDT

View this post on Instagram

Day 8 of 10 | Kinsale the town of many colors for daydreamers and coffee-sippers and word-lovers #reading books #travel #eatprayguinness #usedbooks #bringabookgetabook

A post shared by EliseKovi (@elisekovi) on Jul 28, 2018 at 10:19am PDT

View this post on Instagram

Tiny painted houses #Ireland #eatprayguinness #murphy #paddy

A post shared by EliseKovi (@elisekovi) on Jul 28, 2018 at 10:32am PDT

View this post on Instagram

Days 9 and 10 | Wicklow, Dublin | The views though. #sheep #eatprayguinness Tried to take the sheep home with me but TSA wouldn’t let me past the gate. I’ll be back! | “And be one traveler, long I stood…Two roads diverged in a wood and I – I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.” – Robert Frost

A post shared by EliseKovi (@elisekovi) on Jul 28, 2018 at 12:27pm PDT

View this post on Instagram

County Clare Cliffs of Moher | That’s me! Photo 📷: Another traveler #cliffsofmoher #ireland #drawing First semi-solo trip in the books. Will miss this, Ireland. You gave me all the beauty and all the feels and opened up a beautiful, new world. 🌍 #eatprayguinness

A post shared by EliseKovi (@elisekovi) on Jul 28, 2018 at 3:13pm PDT

View this post on Instagram

Luck of the Irish 🍀 Discovered this little clover before I took a leap of faith on a solo trip to Ireland. Found my Irish roots, found old friends (shoutout to HS cross country coach’s daughter in Dublin!), met new travel companions and places off the beaten path, hiked the tallest peak, drew for hours, chased sheep, poured Guinness, ran along the water’s edge, and re-awoke my creative side. More than luck, I gained courage and faith in myself. Watch out, 🗺. I got a backpack on and I’m coming for you. #EatPrayGuinness Hashtag Credit all goes to the ever-clever: @sarahlemz16

A post shared by EliseKovi (@elisekovi) on Jul 19, 2018 at 2:37pm PDT