I know a man will not take a long flight for a short trip. If the flight is four hours long, he will not stay at his destination for less than four days. If he’s going to fly across the pond on an overnight flight, he won’t stay less than eight days. Me? I’ll take a long flight for a short trip any time, if the destination is worth it. The question is, what makes a short trip worth a long flight? I took a short over-the-pond trip just last summer and, frankly, it was well worth it because I fulfilled a dream.
I’d already been to Ireland twice, pretty much experiencing everything that a tourist might want to experience. Nevertheless, I was haunted by one place that I didn’t get to see enough of: Bunratty. On my first trip to Ireland, our tour group took us to Bunratty Castle for their famous medieval dinner. We were late and dinner was in progress when we arrived. We rushed through the entrance and down one of the most enchanting, magical paths I’d ever set foot on. The path was winding and heavily wooded. It was dark but I could make out small cottages along the way. .Crows called out to us as we scurried to the well-lit castle ahead. I wanted to linger but there was no time.
That path haunted me through the rest of that trip to Ireland and even through the second one. I was determined to go back and see more of Bunratty. I just knew that there was more magic to be enjoyed there. It was the one thing that I’d left undone in that country. The problem was that time and money were both a bit tighter than usual. I had to figure out how to do it with my limited resources. The solution was simple: A short trip.
Having been to area on the brief initial visit, I knew that Bunratty was a very short cab ride from the Shannon airport. That eliminated any travel issues on the ground. Bunratty is completely walkable, so I didn’t need to rent a car. That saved both time and money at my destination. I also knew that I could do all that I wanted to do there in less than two days.
So, I booked a flight and off I went. I slept on the overnight flight, leaving me well-rested for my destination. I quickly found a cab and was at the Bunratty Castle Hotel in less than 20 minutes after landing. My room wasn’t ready yet but the hotel allowed me to store my luggage with them until the room was ready.
I walked down the hill to the local shops and shopped for gifts and souvenirs until The Creamery Bar opened for lunch. I lingered over lunch for two hours, enjoying a great meal and reading a little Virginia Woolf, emerging completely relaxed. I then took off to walk and explore the area, taking as many pictures as I could along the way.
I ended my first day in Bunratty with a late tea at the hotel. The sandwiches and desserts were yummy and substantial enough to constitute dinner.
On day two, I walked back to the Bunratty Castle Folk Park and walked the path that had so enchanted me before. It was even more wonderful in the daylight. I toured the entire castle and then spent the rest of the day wandering through the folk park.
What made my short trip nice and easy was that I did some research and planned carefully. Before I left home, I knew where I wanted to eat and what I wanted to do. I reserved my tea time when I reserved my hotel. I ordered tickets for the folk park in advance, a move that save me both time and money. I explored the folk park on-line so that I would know exactly what I wanted to see.
On day three, I took a 4:30 a.m. cab back to the airport. After a brief layover and a leisurely breakfast at Heathrow airport, I slept on the long flight home.
So, would I endure a long flight for a short trip again? Oh, you betcha! I got to fulfill my dream of seeing all of Bunratty. I enjoyed some wonderful meals. I met some lovely people. And best of all, I didn’t spend much money.
My only regret is that I couldn't bring these two handsome fellows home with me.
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