We woke up in darling Galway at the elegant Hardiman Hotel. After setting our bags out to be picked up and enjoying a proper Irish breakfast, we enjoyed a truly charming start to our day. The restaurant felt like it was straight out of a period drama, complete with delicate china and instrumental Bridgerton music playing throughout the dining room.
With coffee in hand, we set off for an unforgettable rural experience: visiting Atlantic Sheepdogs, a working sheep farm in County Sligo. We met Martin, a fifth-generation sheep farmer, and his wife and three young boys. Their farm is nestled between the wild Atlantic Ocean and the striking Benbulben Mountain, creating one of the most scenic backdrops imaginable.
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| Martin and his sheep on his farm along Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way |
Martin shared the rich history of the land and how his family has carried on the farming tradition for generations. Then he introduced us to “Moe,” his stunning five-year-old Border Collie sheepdog. The word collie translates to useful in Scottish Gaelic — and watching Moe in action, you truly understand why.
We saw firsthand how essential working dogs are to Irish sheep farming. Martin and Moe demonstrated the agility, precision, and partnership that make farming possible in this rugged landscape. Their teamwork was both practical and poetic.
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| Life on the farm: Martin and Moe showing us the timeless teamwork between farmer, dog, and flock in County Sligo. |
This visit hit home for me in a deeply personal way. My great-grandfather was a Scottish sheep farmer — as were generations of Stewarts before him — who immigrated to Canada in the early 1900s and it is rumoured that he brought over some of the first Scottish Blackface sheep to Canada. Even though Scotland and Ireland are different countries, their farming traditions and land stewardship challenges are strikingly similar. Watching Martin and Moe felt like a bridge between my roots and this beautiful Irish countryside.
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| Meet the flock! Generations of Irish farming tradition captured in one photo. |
Leaving the farm, we continued north along the Wild Atlantic Way, passing seaside villages and flocks of grazing sheep. Our next stop was the famous Belleek Pottery Factory in Belleek, where our guide Steph walked us through 150 years of pottery-making tradition. From original molds to hand-painted details, every piece told a story of Irish artistry and heritage.
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| A craftsman at work in Belleek Pottery, where 150 years of tradition and artistry continue to shape Ireland’s finest porcelain |
After a light lunch at the Belleek Café, we boarded the coach for our final stop of the day — Donegal Town. The second I stepped off the bus, I was smitten. Donegal is pure charm, full of local character and warmth. We joined another couple from our tour to explore Donegal Castle, then followed the sound of laughter and music into a nearby pub for a pint of Guinness. It was exactly what you picture for a Saturday afternoon in an Irish village — friendly faces, traditional music, and cozy pub vibes that made it hard to leave.
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| Taking in the history together — a memorable moment in front of Donegal Castle in County Donegal, Ireland |
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| Step inside history: Donegal Castle’s interior ruins give a glimpse into medieval Irish life |
That evening, we checked into the magnificent Mill Park Hotel, where our luggage was still conspicuously absent. After freshening up, we gathered for a superb three-course dinner filled with laughter and great conversation.
Since it was Saturday night in Ireland, a few of us weren’t ready to call it quits. We ventured back into town to enjoy live music at the packed Reel Inn, then stopped by O’Donnell’s Pub for another round of good craic and new friends. We ended the night with a lovely walk back to the hotel under a cool Irish sky.
What a perfect day — from sheepdogs and pottery to castles and pubs, Ireland continues to surprise, charm, and completely win me over.
Ready to Experience Ireland for Yourself?
If this day in Ireland sparked your wanderlust, let’s plan your own Irish adventure together. Whether you’re dreaming of cozy countryside stays, iconic castles, or cultural experiences that connect you to Ireland’s heart and history, I can help.
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