There Really Is Gold At the End Of the Rainbow

by Stefanie Butler (United States of America)

A leap into the unknown Ireland

35. Newly divorced. Never having traveled alone. Nothing holding me back except the fear of the unknown. This was it. This was my moment. I could take the leap or I could freeze and always regret that I hadn't. I chose the former. So I leapt. Leapt across the pond to the Emerald Isle. Everything was green. Including me. My surroundings were green. The farms and gardens I was working on were green. The experiences yet to be had were green. You know how you truly get to know a country? Become a local. Live with locals. Work with locals. Ask locals to guide you to the best untapped, non-touristy spots and that's when you'll find the gold at the end of the proverbial rainbow. Gold like the pubs I found in Galway, Dublin, Salthill and Cork, where they shut the doors after a certain time for the "locals only lock-ins" where everyone continues drinking and lone individuals stand up to sing an old Irish song that tells the story of a man having lost his love, before everyone else chimes in to sing along with them. Gold like knowing the exact spot to hike in the Burren that will lead you to a majestic lake with a dock for swimming and to Harry's cottage where Harry, the kindest man with the most beautiful garden, serves cake and coffee to the local hikers in exchange for a donation - "pay what you like, he says". Gold like the Irish set dancing lessons you can learn at the Ouvane Falls Inn in Bantry, if you're brave enough to join in. Gold like Cians on Bridge Street in Westport where one can indulge on mussels and homemade soda bread with a curried butter, before heading over to catch live music and a Bulmer's (over ice!) at Matt Molloy's. Or gold like Campbells pub where you can cozy up to a fire with a Guinness after hiking the famed Croagh Patrick (your choice whether or not to do it barefoot like the locals! INSIDER TIP: The locals don't even do it barefoot). Gold like Howth peninsula, just a 45 min train ride from Dublin that feels like you are in Jurassic Park. Gold like the hostel/surf shop owned by Dan at The Green Room where you can grab a board and a wetsuit and surf the famous LaHinch waves. Be sure to pop into the LaHinch Coast Hotel for the best scone I've had to date! I guarantee you won't find a better one. Gold like the beds at the Black Sheep Hostel, located only steps from one of the BEST spots in Ireland - Killarney National Park. Gold like the Dingle Peninsula. A place with the freshest seafood (go to the Fish Box), with handmade leather goods being made while you sip on your pint of Rockshore at Dick Mack's Pub and Brewery, where you can get a glass of the award winning best gin in the world, Dingle Gin, and where you can mosey into Pantrí Dingle to eat only the finest breakfast in their back garden before moving onto your next destination. Gold like the rich conversations and the hearts of the Irish people who were kind enough to pick up a solo hitchhiker and give her a lift around their beautiful country. The friends made. The experiences had. The lessons learned. The courageous spirit strengthened within. These are the reasons why you solo travel. You've heard that old saying, "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." I say do both. Start fast and go alone and by the end, you will look around you and realize that you are no longer alone, and that you have gone much further than you ever thought possible. Signing off, Solo Stef