Racing the Clock to 24

Welcome back to 24 Before 24, where I am trying to cross items off my bucket list before I turn 24. In the last two weeks, I was able to cross three items off the list. It seems like I am off to a pretty good start. Numbers 3 (visit Cork), 9 (Cliffs of Moher), and 10 (Kiss the Blarney Stone) are officially completed. 

Since I first got to Ireland in September, I was waiting for the moment when my mom came to visit because I knew that it would be my time to see more of the country. While she was here, I finally got to be the stereotypical Irish tourist. The first place we ventured off to was Blarney Castle and Garden. 

After the wet Irish weather, I was a bit worried that it would cause a rainy day, which was spent mostly outside. Lucky for us, the weather decided to hold off until we were done with the visit. The sunshine and fresh weather made for a beautiful day that made crossing number 10 off the list perfect. 

I will say the breathtaking views of the castle stole the show from the very beginning, but it quickly became tiny, narrow stairs that somehow got smaller the higher I climbed. Seeing the views at the top made it all worth it. Then it came to lying on my back and trusting a random Cork lad. It was an experience I can tell you that, and it was worth the scary stairs up and down. 

The next trouble we got into was the Jameson Distillery Tour in Middleton. It was amazing to learn about how Irish whiskey is made, as well as how it tastes. I can inform you that Jameson is not for me. I would highly recommend the experience at Jameson. The guides are highly informed and truly make the distillery come alive. 

Soon after, we made our way to Cork City. Our hotel was in the heart of the city, so we really got to experience the liveliness that it has to offer. Walking around the street at 6 p.m., you could feel the pulse. We quickly found an amazing restaurant to eat dinner at, Thompsons Restaurant. The meal was great, and I concluded the night by taking my mom into a Spar to grab a Cadbury Dairy Milk with Mini Eggs bar because she just HAD to try it (and if you haven’t, this is your message to). I truly loved Cork City and everything it had to offer, which completes number 3 on the list. 

The next morning, is when we made the trek to cross off number 9 on the list. To the Cliffs of Moher we went. And like the weather when we went to Blarney Castle, the wetness held off. It was so gorgeous and just reminded me of something out of a book. We walked as far as we could on both sides and probably spent 3 hours just looking at the views. It was truly an experience I am so glad I got to have, especially with my mom on my side.  

Three out of the twenty-four are crossed off. That is great progress, seeing as I have 54 days until I am 24. I currently feel confident that I will complete the list, and I have little doubt about it. 

I can’t wait to come back and tell you about the next ones I can cross off. Until then, live it up! 

24 Before 24: 

1. Eat Sashimi 
2. Meditate
3. Visit Cork 
4. New Tattoo
5. New Piercing 
6. Journal for 15 days straight 
7. Try a Flat white 
8. Run 10 miles
9. Cliffs of Moher
10. Kiss the Blarney Stone
11. Move to a new country
12. Sea Swim 
13. Pilates
14. Bake and decorate a cake from scratch 
15. Go to a pop-up market 
16. Catch a flight 
17. Read 24 books 
18. Do a rope course 
19. Compliment a stranger 
20. People watch in St Stephen’s Green
21. Have a picnic 
22. Watch Forest Gump 
23. Get ice cream with a friend 
24. Go to the Cinema