Ireland Awaits: Laragh and the Wicklow Journeys

Send us Fan MailLaragh, Ireland: Wicklow Mountains Basecamp + Glendalough Loop Hike (Our First Stop)Brittany and Josh kick off their Ireland trip recap with their first stop in Laragh, a quiet village in County Wicklow near the Wicklow Mountains and Glendalough. After a delayed United itinerary from Appleton through Chicago that caused them to miss their connection, they rebooked on Aer Lingus to Dublin, navigated confusing terminal information, and appreciated the mostly empty flight despite terrible plane food. In Laragh, they stayed at Heather House, walked to the Wicklow Heather restaurant for their first Guinness and meals, and compared an Irish breakfast to an English breakfast, highlighting black and white pudding. Their main Laragh highlight was an unplanned, challenging Glendalough Loop hike around the upper and lower lakes that became 11.6 miles with 2,200 feet of elevation gain, featuring ridge-boardwalk sections, wildlife, and a late return in darkness. They recommend Laragh/Wicklow as a beautiful, easy first base near Dublin, but not somewhere they’d live.00:00 Podcast Return And Trip Tease01:07 Why Ireland Felt Magical02:43 Type A Vs Type B Travel03:56 Laragh Night Hike Scare05:46 Staying At Heather House07:22 United Delays And Credits09:44 Chicago Sprint And Terminal Mixup15:16 Aer Lingus Row Win Food Fail17:06 Driving Left And First Wicklow Meal19:52 Irish Breakfast And Pudding Debate21:27 Glendalough Loop Hike Decision22:41 Pushing Past Switchbacks23:01 Views And Confidence Boost24:39 Wildlife And Rocky Descent26:57 Stats Photos And The Slip29:22 Laragh As A Trip Base30:11 Post Hike Meal Highlights32:31 Connection Growth And Gear Tips35:56 Could We Live Here38:34 Travel Lessons And Next Stop@WSMHtravels