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ter to the summer tourist season,  Cliffs of Moher
                                                      Doolin’s pubs  are buzzing 365
                                                      days a year.                   8 kilometers south of Doolin, the
                                                                                     cliffs that line much of Ireland’s
                                                      Melodies of live trad (slang for tra-  coast reach their most dramatic
                                                      ditional Irish folk music) invite lo-  height and geography.  Trails al-
          The village of Doolin, on the rugged and    cals and visitors to huddle togeth-  low you to walk along their jagged
          scarcely populated Central West coast of Ireland.   er around the tables and fireplace,  edge, inches away from a perilous
          Right: Local Irish cheese.  Below: The author’s   to  tap  their  feet  and  clap  their   free fall.  Fortunately, the strong
          favorite pub for a cold pint and a warm fire.  hands into the wee hours.  Stews   gusty winds blow inland. The cliff’s
                                                      of beef braised in stout, and fish   façades are ridged, like a piecrust
                                                      from the nearby sea battered to a   plunging straight down to the sea.
                                                      crisp, are served piping hot from   Curious sightseers are tempted to
                                                      the kitchen.  This is the perfect set-  get as close as possible to the edge
                                                      ting to do what you’ve longed to do   without falling over.   Even though
                                                      ever since you booked your ticket    the scenery remains the same for
                                                     – walk up to the bartender and say,  miles, every step is breathtaking.
                                                      unavoidably with a bit of an Irish
                                                      accent, “a pint o’ Guinness please.”  Galway

                                                      That is when you know you’ve fi- Galway city, located on both sides
                                                      nally arrived.  Doolin is the small-  of the River Corrib where it spills
                                                      est town with the biggest heart in   into the Atlantic Ocean, is most
                                                      Ireland.  Stop here for a night or   famous for its Latin Quarter - sev-
                                                      two of Irish Craic.  If you miss the   eral narrow pedestrian streets that
                                                      stop sign, you’ll be in the middle   attract activity around the clock.
                                                      of nowhere, beneath a sky full of  The youthful spirit, brought on by
                                                      stars with the sounds of waves   trendy restaurants, lively pubs and
                                                      crashing  against the  rocky  coast   hip shops reminded me of a teeny
                                                      just over yonder.              tiny  version  of  Barcelona  -  A bit



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