What brought me back is ten magical days in Ireland with my daughter.
Two years ago, I came to Kilkenny for a pet sit. I stayed near the castle, right along the river, and was enchanted by the charm of the place – medieval, vibrant, and timeless. I rarely return to the same place twice. The world is so wide, and I’m always drawn to somewhere new. But when I was invited back to Kilkenny, I mentioned it to my daughter, and to my delight, she said she wanted to join.
And so we did.
We shared a sweet home, stocked it with gluten-free ingredients (my daughter is celiac), and turned it into our little haven. We cooked every meal together, laughed in the kitchen, and baked the most delicious desserts. Every day we wandered the cobbled streets of Kilkenny, weaving through its magic and charm. We walked and talked, savoring the beauty of connection, and the quiet joy of being together.
We explored Waterford, the oldest city in Ireland, and hiked through the forest of Inistioge, which is known as the most beautiful area of Kilkenny – with its dreamy forest trails and cinematic landscapes. We hiked through ancient ruins at Kells Priory and followed winding paths past ivy-covered walls. We pub-hopped through Kilkenny’s medieval streets, soaking up the music and the warmth of the Irish people.
And through it all, what mattered most was this: time. Uninterrupted, intentional time with my daughter. No distractions. Just us – cooking, exploring, laughing, sharing stories, and soaking in every sacred, simple moment.
Kilkenny may be the smallest city in Ireland, but for us, it became the backdrop of something truly big: a deep, beautiful reconnection.
I’m so grateful for this trip. And I’m grateful to be writing again. Sometimes, it takes a return to something you love…a place, a person, a moment – to return to yourself.
THANK YOU – MY DAUGHTER, FOR BEING YOU!
“Sometimes even grown women need their mother’s comfort so they can take a break from all that being strong.” – Colleen Hoover
