Collection by Scott Sporleder
The Ultimate Road Trip: Ireland
For many, the real Ireland is on the back roads. That’s the green isle envisioned when one closes their eyes, winding around its rocky coastline on tiny lanes lined with centuries-old stone fences. And that’s exactly what fellow MatadorU faculty member Candice Walsh and Co. did this spring on a quest to uncover her Irish heritage.
For nearly two weeks, the team made their way across the southern coast, bobbing and weaving through tiny hillside towns all the way to County Sligo. What follows is a photo album-worth of images from the trip.
This story originally appeared on Matador Network, a Dwell partner site.
Michael D. Higgins, President of Ireland
The President welcomes foreign journalists to Ireland a few days before St. Patrick's Day.
Moody Dublin
Dublin's Temple Bar area on an atmospheric evening.
Copper Coast
Candice strolls along a deserted beach on the Copper Coast, south of Waterford.
Archives
While searching for Candice's family records, we had the opportunity to look at some seriously old-school documents—such care and precision went into creating these artifacts.
Lismore Castle
We actually got to spend one night in this castle. Fairly spooky, but beautiful nonetheless.
The almost tropical-looking beach of lower Ballydonegan.
Allihies.
Dingle Peninsula
The land is green, the water is green…just about the only thing not green in Ireland is the beer.
There's no lack of craic in Galway.
Cliffs of Moher.