06/03/2026
🇮🇪 Ireland Adventure – Day 8 🇮🇪
Day 8 marked the beginning of the second chapter of our Irish adventure. It was our first day without the rest of the group, who had departed for Nova Scotia the previous morning. While we certainly missed our travel companions, we were excited to continue exploring and discover even more of Ireland and Northern Ireland over the next week.
Leaving Dublin behind, we headed north toward Belfast, choosing roads less travelled whenever possible. Along the way, we passed countless farmhouses, rolling hills, and fields dotted with sheep and cattle. The landscape seemed to showcase every shade of green imaginable, reminding us once again why Ireland is known as the Emerald Isle. As we got closer to our first stop, the roads became increasingly winding and narrow, adding a little adventure to the journey.
Our destination was the charming Tracey's Farmhouse Kitchen, and what a hidden gem it turned out to be! It looked as though it had been lifted straight from the pages of a storybook, complete with a traditional thatched roof, colourful flowers, lush gardens, and an assortment of friendly farm animals.
Waiting to greet us were rescue lambs, goats, a very large pig, a rooster, and three wonderful dogs—two Cocker Spaniels and a Springer Spaniel named Ozzie, Oscar, and Dodger. Anyone who knows me knows that I have a soft spot for dogs! In fact, before we left, Joe (Tracey's husband) jokingly reminded me, "Darlene, I know how many dogs we have, so don't be taking any home with you!" 😂
We arrived a little early and were warmly welcomed by Joe, Tracey's husband. While they finished hosting a previous group, Joe gave us a tour of the property, introducing us to the animals and sharing stories about the farmhouse, its history, and the family's connection to the land.
Soon after, Tracey joined us and welcomed us into their home. Fresh coffee was brewing, and she also prepared a pot of lemon balm tea. Alongside these warm drinks, we were treated to homemade soda bread, bannock, fresh cream, and an assortment of delicious homemade jams. We gathered around the kitchen table enjoying the food, conversation, and genuine Irish hospitality.
The highlight of the visit came when Irene took over and taught us the traditional art of making Irish soda bread. There were no measuring cups or scales involved! Instead, she demonstrated how generations had used handfuls of flour, added buttermilk by feel, and relied on experience to know when the dough was just right. After mixing our dough, we shaped our loaves into four farls, cooked them on a hot griddle, and set them aside to cool. Best of all, we got to take our freshly made soda bread with us.
It was a wonderful cultural experience and one we definitely plan to recreate when we return home.
After saying our goodbyes and taking plenty of photos of the beautiful farmhouse, we continued north toward our next stop.
A quick detour took us to Holywood in County Down, where we visited the golf club that Rory McIlroy calls his home club in Ireland. As golf fans, it was fun to see the course, snap a few photos, and browse through the pro shop before continuing our journey.
By late afternoon, we arrived in Belfast and checked into the Maldron Hotel, which would be our home for the next two nights.
That evening, we enjoyed dinner at Pizza on the Square before taking a leisurely walk through the city centre. Belfast has a wonderful energy, blending history, culture, and modern city life. After exploring for a while, we returned to the hotel, enjoyed a relaxing beverage, and called it an early night in preparation for another exciting day ahead.
From storybook farmhouses and homemade soda bread to Belfast city streets, Day 8 offered a perfect blend of countryside charm and urban adventure. ☘️🇮🇪
