Outspoken Traveler

More trips below! Have at it.

About Outspoken Traveler

Travel should be about embracing every moment — from the magic of the mundane to the awe-inspiring of nature, cities, the beauty that lingers in small places, and even an amazing meal.

My passion is to seek the magic lurking in every moment you travel to a new place; then let good planning and a dose of serendipity shape as many of the travel moments as possible. And finally, share it with you with a tongue-in-cheek honesty, authentic to my faults, stumbles along the way, and joys.

Thank you for particpating!

Alfred O’Neill

(Author pen name: A.E.S. O’Neill)

—OutspokenTraveler

https://www.facebook.com/outspokentraveler/

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Visiting N. Ireland and you missed the Shepherd’s Hut of the Sperrin Mtns?

Justine says it best: “At the Shepherds Hut, you just feel like you’re part of nature. There’s almost a mystical feeling about it to me. And that’s what’s so hard to convey in social media, is that it’s not just the views. It’s not just the hot tub. There’s an actual mystical beauty to it that you have to experience.” Justine is from the U.S., but married a local Irishman, so she has a true perspective on the beauty.…
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The Tuareg: Regal Blue Man tribe of the Sahara

The blue man, a Tuareg tribesman, was incredibly tall. Because of his draping blue robes, his long legs seemed like he was gliding across the sand. It was a slow walk past mud buildings to a mosque that was a thousand years old. As he spoke of the mosque’s royal history, gently animated, he held himself in a constant pose of majesty as if he were the entire tribe, and all their ancient collective pride resided in him. The…
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Now why would Nat’l Geographic call the Sperrin’s one of the most beautiful mountain ranges on Earth?

When you see a place so stunning, yet simple in its beauty, you never forget it. So, Instead of me writing about the Sperrin Mountains of Northern Ireland, U.K., let me show you what I saw. National Geographic, as always, was so damned right.
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Seeking Balance? Lagom (Balance) of Kenmare creates a new standard for Irish B&B’s.

Aren’t we all seeking “balance” in a crazy world? Are our vacations a mix of dreams of both relaxation and fun discovery? Lagom in Kenmare, County Kerry, is a great place to find both. Lagom is a special, unique place of food and rest. Stay here. Eat here. Be sure to say hello to Liz and Brendan, the owners and a wonderful team. First, the restaurant then the rooms. When asked about the name, Lagom, Liz said when they…
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Mulcahy’s: Best Diner in Munster, Ireland? No kidding.

And the winners of: Irish Restaurant Awards Munster Regional Final 2025. Mulcahy’s of Kenmare, Ireland is a very good restaurant. The BEST pate I have ever had. And it was chicken, which I normally avoid. I favor duck. From plate one I was grabbed. The chicken chasseur was exquisite…delicate pieces in a creamy sauce baked inside a pastry cup. Perusing the menu, it was one of those moments when you look up from your menu at the other table: “What are…
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Visiting the Mighty Connemara, Ireland: video that speaks to the awe you will feel.

There are a thousand reasons why the Connemara National Park and region are so legendary. The haunting views. The boggy-laden ground that goes on forever. The lonely hikes and walks in the shadow ominous, bulging mountains. The contrast of greens, browns and the blue of the sky as it battles for dominance wit the constant shifting clouds. Then the sun breaks through and you catch your breath. Connemara National Park: try and go off-season; the bumper months are best…
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Donald’s buggy ride & stories make any day perfect at the Gap of Dunloe. (County Kerry)

A magic buggy ride in the Gap of Dunloe, county Kerry, Ireland. Humor, wild tales, wild wind. Truly by the roadside.
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A great chowder and a smile to remember. The Bervie BnB, Achill Island, County Mayo

The Bervy, BnB.
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Five Days on Henrietta Street, London.

London had changed. As it always does. London has the best and widest variety of boutique hotels. The Henrietta, by the Experimental Group, was a delightful surprise. I took a chance, especially since my significant other had never been to London and a good hotel room is crucial. I had not been since 2019. The toilet was broken upon our arrival, but the staff stepped in, specifically Christina, and proved that good hotels, especially boutiques, are not just about…
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Meet Ireland’s brilliant furniture designer, Adrian Duyn. Let’s talk Kintsuki! (Kenmare, Ireland).

Before arriving in Joop and Adrian Duyn’s Joop Duyn & Sons workshop in Kenmare, Ireland, I had seen the expansive and exquisite furniture designs on their website. So I was prepared to be impressed. Jopp Duyn began this woodworking business 40 years ago, with Adrian’s presence adding the “Sons” some years later. Meeting the father and son amidst their actual woodworking creations brought me to a whole other level of appreciation. Expecting to be surrounded by the chairs, tables,…
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Can you count the many shades of green? Give up. (Gleninchaquin Park, County Kerry.)

Stories tell us that the Goddess Eiru is the body of the island and thus the people are the caretakers of her body and soul. And with such abundance and gift of beauty, how could one not? Their relationship with the land is astonishingly strong. Such is Ireland. Few places represent this astounding beauty of the body of nature than Gleninchaquin Park on the Beara Peninsula, along the southwestern tip of Ireland, about 30 minutes from the lovely town…
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Exploring Ireland: My Memorable Adventures

My first memories of Ireland are being sent to the heath to look for 4-leaf clovers while my mother and sisters watched the Dublin Horse Show. I found one. Ireland is resplendent with natural beauty. But Ireland is a country where the beauty extends into the souls of the people, who seem to have a visceral connection with the land. For all their humor, ribald nature, smiles and kindness — all real — it is a joy backed by…
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An epicurean dream in Kenmare, Ireland? You bet.

Lovely Kenmare. Amazing, special town in so many ways. But food? How can you have so many award-winning, Michelin-rated restaurants in one small Irish town? I am sure there is a story behind it – it is Ireland after all — but the reality is, Lagom, Mulcahy’s, No. 35 and Lime Tree, were so varied and brilliant in their dining experience, it was a foodie’s delight! And I have yet to get to a few more (Davitt’s, Rookery for…
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Let Irish history come alive with the passion & authenticity of Davy Holden (Kilkenny).

Davy Holden has just entered his 30’s but already owns the wisdom of someone who understands his country’s history form a very human and authentic place.
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What makes a truly great hotel? Just go have a drink.(Fabio and the El Palace of Barcelona).

The magnificence of any grand hotel is about the people. El Palace of Barcelona, Spain.
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Stories of being lost and found. Michael, my savior in the wilds of of the Sperrin Mountains, N. Ireland.

The magnificent Sperrin Mountains of Northern Ireland and getting lost, then delightfully found.
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Rewilding a park. And how wild the Wild Nephin was.

Rewilding. A raw land. An eerie hike.
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