Running buddies go the extra mile together in Ireland

Andreana Haley, from the USA, booked a homestay in Dublin where she could relax for a couple of days after running 150km across Ireland in the Celtic Traverse trail run through stunning scenery.

“I found Homestay.com while I was searching for a hotel,” Andreana said.

“I thought a homestay sounded like a cool thing to do.”

“Seeing the photos of the hosts and their houses was reassuring and I knew by my host Bridget’s photos that I’d like it,” Andreana said.

“I had stayed in hotels in other countries before, like when I visited China, and I didn’t enjoy it. If I ever go back to China I would definitely do a hosted experience as it’s a place where you would really benefit from having a host to help you when you’re there.”

On arriving in Dublin, Andreana’s host, Bridget welcomed her at the door of their home in Howth, a beautiful coastal village 15km north of the city centre.

“I’ve only been staying with Bridget for a couple of nights but she’s been a great host. She cooked dinner the night I arrived and we talked about lots of different topics during the meal.”

Bridget was also hosting two other guests from Australia in her home during Andreana’s stay. Together they all shared the meal and talked about everything from brain imaging (Andreana is a clinical neuroscientist) to travel.

She shared with them her stories from the Celtic Traverse race and told them about the beautiful places she’d seen along the route. She had “an amazing experience” running with a small group of people from all around the world. The race stages included the ‘garden county’ of Wicklow just south of Dublin, the Ballyhoura mountains in the centre of the country and Sneem in County Kerry, a place where visitors fall in love with the spectacular scenery and coastal views.

“I’m heading out now for a run with Bridget around Howth Head,” Andreana told us when we met with her and her host in Dublin. “The race I did across Ireland was supposed to be 150km but I’m short by 10km so this will make up for it,” she joked.

Bridget also offered to take Andreana for a swim in the sea at her favourite spot, Jameson’s Cove, after their run together but Andreana politely declined.

“I don’t like the cold,” she laughed.

Andreana also stayed in another homestay for a couple of nights at the start of her trip to Ireland, before she embarked on the Celtic Traverse race.

“My other host Denise was so lovely too. It was great. I’d definitely stay in a homestay again on another trip and I’d recommend it to my friends.”

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