Ireland
Of all the places I've ever been and all the places I'll go, none will match the beauty of Ireland. From the rolling green hills filled with sheep and Holstein cows, to glens with lakes and rugged cliffs; beauty lies in every region of Ireland.
Bed and breakfasts are the popular choice of stay for travelers. Find yourself nestled somewhere in to the countryside, waking up to the morning crows of a nearby rooster and a hot, traditional Irish breakfast, which consists of eggs, porridge, smoked salmon, a broiled tomato, pork sausages, beans, and black pudding. Other traditional Irish dishes include Irish stew, made with lamb, Guinness and potatoes, or Sheppard’s pie, which consists of beef, and potatoes. These dishes are the perfect, warm treat on the cold, rainy nights in Ireland.
The Irish people are also warm and friendly. They smile as you pass on the street and offer assistance when you need help or directions. They welcome you into their homes and invite you out for coffee or a Guinness simply for the sake of knowing you.
In every picture of Ireland you'll find colors more vibrant than a painting. However, they pay a price for their green, grassy pastures covered in wildflowers. The weather is notorious for it's unpredictability. It’s Sunny and clear one minute, and pouring down buckets of rain the next. Some parts of the country expect rain on 270 days of the year. But if you are willing to tolerate the ever-changing weather and set out for an adventure of a lifetime, then Ireland is the place for you.
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| St. Patrick's Cathedral |
When you plan your visit to Ireland, there's no better place to start than Dublin. Dublin is the largest city in the Republic of Ireland and is located on the Irish Sea in east Ireland. Dublin has a unique feel with a very special atmosphere. It’s like a smaller London with many more pubs and smiling faces. Even In the largest city in the country, which has just over one million residents, the people of Dublin are still friendly and always willing to help a stranger out.
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| St. Patrick's Cathedral |
While Dublin is known for its Guinness beer and numerous pubs, it's also home to several historical sites like Christ Church Cathedral and St. Patrick's Cathedral. Christ Church Cathedral is an 11th century medieval church that is known as the centre of the United Diocese of Dublin. St. Patrick’s Cathedral was built in the 12th century in honor of St. Patrick himself and is also the largest church in Ireland.
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| The cliffs at Howth |
After taking in the city life, take a day trip to Howth. This quaint village is just a 20-minute drive east from Dublin and deserves just as much praise as the city. In this small fishing village are beautiful things to see, but the most noteworthy are the cliffs overlooking the sea. Even the locals set aside time in the day to go for a scenic hike along the cliffside. Yellow wildflowers and rugged boulders sit side-by-side and overlook the bay. The little village of Howth is quite possibly Ireland's best-kept secret; a hidden treasure masked by the hype of the nearby city.
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| The monastic ruins of Glendalough |
After a day spent exploring the cliffs, head south along the coast. Just over 40 miles south of Dublin is the town of Glendalough, which means “glen of two lakes.” This tourist destination is known by many for its appearance in films such as Braveheart and Leap Year. It's rich in beauty, but history as well. Located in Glendalough are the 6th century monastic ruins originally founded by St. Kevin, a hermit monk. In the 6th century, St. Kevin founded a monastic settlement in this glacial valley and went to live above the lakes in order to seek unity with God in the presence of the breath-taking countryside.
If you want to see sights that encompass every Irish stereotype, then head to Southern Ireland next.
The drive along the Ring of Kerry is said to be the most beautiful drive in the world. The landscape is rugged and somewhat menacing, but breathtaking and vibrant all at the same time.
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| Muckross House |
In Killarney National park, the fog rolls in and the mist hits your face as the wind nearly knocks you over. In Killarney, the Muckross house and gardens are worth the visit. This Tudor-style house was built in the mid 1800s for Henry Arthur Herbert and his wife. If you really want to travel back in time, then visit the grounds by horse drawn carriage, which offers rides all over Killarney.
As you make your way west along the coast, you will find some of the most famous sites in the country.
Be sure to spend some time in Galway, a city of culture and tradition. Here you find the traditional Irish language spoken more frequently than in any other region of Ireland. Galway is Ireland’s fasting-growing city and currently holds approximately 75,000 residents. Located on the rugged west coast, there is more than enough to do during a vacation. Pubs line the streets and proudly play their Irish music. Because of its location on the Atlantic sea, the largest form of employment comes from fishing.
Along the little towns and villages outside of Galway city, many traditional Irish cottages still stand unchanged. In these suburbs, you will still find thatched roofs and handmade stone fences along the narrow, rocky roads.
The Burren and the world-famous Cliffs of Moher are both located in Western Ireland. The Burren is one of the largest karst landscapes in all of Europe and measures approximately 250 square kilometers. If you take a tour, you can visit the Burren and the Cliffs of Moher in one day. The majestic Cliffs of Moher are arguably the most popular attraction in all of Ireland, attracting roughly one million visitors every year. The cliffs reach a maximum height of 214 meters above the Atlantic Ocean. On a sunny day, the views from the cliffs are simply astounding. Ireland is very proud of this site, and has recently nominated the cliffs in the global online campaign to find the new seven world wonders of 2011.
Finally, travel north to Belfast and the Giant’s Causeway. Belfast is the largest city and the capital of Northern Ireland, with a population of about 268,000. Belfast has long been a centre for the linen industry in Ireland, and remains a thriving city of art, entertainment, and culture to this day. While Northern Ireland has suffered religious conflict and turmoil in the past, its current state is that of peace and prosperity.
The Giant’s Causeway is one of the greatest natural wonders in the world. It’s an area resulting from ancient volcanic eruptions and contains approximately 40,000 joined basalt columns. It is to this day the most popular tourist attraction in Northern Ireland.
Irish folk music pours out from small pubs on weeknights all over the country. Banjos, bagpipes, and guitars resound from every corner of every street. Locals sit and relax for hours while they enjoy a pint of their world-famous Guinness beer. The rich culture and tradition of Ireland is comparable to no other country in the world. Anywhere you go in this country, whether in the Republic or the North, is a destination of beauty, sincerity, and kindness. The rest of the world could use a dose of Irish hospitality and pride.
Of all the places you go in the world, and all of the places you’ll see, you will never find a place like Ireland.
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