Passports

The all-important passport! You’ll need a valid passport to travel to Ireland. As you can imagine, everyone and their mother applied for a passport in 2021 when COVID travel restrictions were lifted. The US Department of State is currently quoting an 8-11 week wait, so plan ahead! There are options to get it expedited, but don’t leave it to the last minute or you might be in trouble.  

If you’ve never had a passport or have lost your passport, you’ll have to go apply in person. If you simply need to renew one that’s still in your possession, you may be able to do it by mail. Either way, there are forms you can either fill out online or print out. 

To apply for a passport, you’ll need:

1. The application form 
2. A qualifying photo
3. Proof of citizenship: either US Passport (expired is okay) or a qualifying birth certificate (you must also have 8.5x11” photocopy of this in black and white for them to keep)  
4. An ID: either a “primary ID” (usually a physical driver’s license or passport) or two “secondary IDs” (non-photo state ID card, Social Security card, Medicare card, etc.) and again, photocopies of each 
5. Payment of $130 as of this writing 
6. An appointment- the good news is that you can go probably just go to a local post office!

Connemara, Ireland

Image by Jonas Fehre from Pixabay

Connemara is a region on the Atlantic coast of western County Galway, in the west of Ireland. The area holds onto traditional Irish culture and is home to the Connacht Irish-speaking Gaeltacht (the largest Gaeltacht in the country). No, you don’t need to brush up on your Gaelic, Buíochas le Dia, but do turn on your car radio- there will be at least one station broadcasting in Irish. It has the Twelve Bens (mountains), peninsulas, coves, islands and small lakes. Connemara National Park is in the northwest. 

Image by Larah Vidotto from Pixabay

The main town of Connemara is Clifden, which is surrounded by an area rich with megalithic tombs. Of the numerous islands off the coast of Connemara, Inishbofin is the largest; other islands include Omey, Inishark, High Island, Friars Island, Feenish and Maínis. During the aftermath of the Irish War of Independence, Connemara was a major source for the Irish Folklore Commission’s work in recording Ireland's endangered folklore, mythology, and oral literature.

The famous "Connemara Green marble" is a local treasure was used to trade in prehistoric times and can be found today in local jewelry and as a building material.