Ireland

Over time, this site will be filled with pieces outlining my impressions and making recommendations about the various countries we’ve visited (mostly in Europe).

 

Because it’s such a popular tourist destination, and because most of the time we’ve spent off U.S. soil has been in Ireland, there will be more information on that country than on others. Having spent months at a time there on a work assignment in recent years, we’ve come to know it well.

 

What is it about Ireland that gets under the skin of nearly everyone who visits?

It seems to indelibly imprint its stamp on the soul of nearly all who are fortunate enough to enter once.

Maybe it’s the many shades of green that patchwork themselves over the rolling hills, dotted with sheep and cows, or the way the rays of sunlight reach down to illuminate a distant pasture on even the cloudiest of days. It could be the wild and rugged western coast line, where quilty meadows and mountains disappear into the sea, sometimes delineated by a golden strand of sandy beach. Maybe it’s the rich history and lore, or the infectious music, heard best in a cozy pub warmed by a peat fire, with patrons chatting or singing along over a bowl of lamb stew and maybe a pint. Or it’s the people, who for centuries have known sorrow, loss, and oppression, but who choose, regardless, to laugh, dance and sing, warmly welcoming visitors and perhaps engaging them in a little “craic,” a term for fun and witty, sometimes sarcastic repartee.

I believe it’s ALL of these, and more, that have drawn us back over and over again.

 

DUBLIN

 

Most visitors to Ireland will enter via the Dublin Airport. If you plan to stay in the city, you can get a cab to your hotel, or even take a bus to Heuston Station, where there are options for light rail to various parts of the city, but which is also the hub for the comfortable, extensive, and efficient train system that links Dublin to most of Ireland’s outlying counties.

 

Irish Rail

http://www.irishrail.ie/travel-information/dublin-heuston

 

If you would like to be picked up by a taxi or limo and have a friendly and professional driver who can fill you in on local lore and make reliable suggestions, we recommend our friends at Carlow Cabs.

http://www.carlowcabs.com

 

 

Most visitors will want to dedicate at least a day, or maybe two, to Ireland’s capitol city, which is divided, north from south, by The River Liffey. Dublin’s a walkable city, but in order to get your bearings, you might want to first get an overview by one of the tour bus companies offering city tours. The ability to “hop” on and off at will proves to be a cost efficient mode of transportation to the various sites on your itinerary. Just be sure you plan ahead, so you don’t miss the last bus back to the city’s center.

 

Hop On/Hop Off Bus Tours:

https://www.hop-on-hop-off-bus.com/dublin-hop-on-hop-off?_$ja=tsid:%7Ccid:84565277%7Cagid:3254666717%7Ctid:kwd-21817571906%7Ccrid:199072215814%7Cnw:g%7Crnd:12535746419289891317%7Cdvc:m%7Cadp:1t1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIudCFnsqU2QIVBgaGCh30AA3QEAAYASAAEgKVw_D_BwE

 

There are other bus companies too, one of which has green buses. We have only used Hop-on/Hop-off, the one given above, though I’ve heard nothing negative about the green-painted competitor.

A new-to-me-site promoting Irish tourism:

https://www.ireland.com/en-us/destinations/republic-of-ireland/dublin/dublin-city/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4Mq4u8qU2QIVWFuGCh2jngFgEAAYAiAAEgLSDvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

This list comprises Dublin’s most popular attractions:

 

Kilmainham Gaol Museum

(Pivotal in the history of Ireland’s struggle for independence and the 1916 Easter Rising.) http://kilmainhamgaolmuseum.ie/

 

Guinness Storehouse – (more than just a factory; also a venue for music and Irish dance.) https://www.guinness-storehouse.com/en/ground-floor

 

Trinity College/Book of Kells

https://www.tcd.ie/visitors/book-of-kells/

 

St Patrick’s Cathedral

(Church of Ireland)

https://www.dublinpass.com/dublin-attractions/st-patricks-cathedral.html?aid=489&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIr6r2nM2U2QIVB16GCh3kzQfMEAAYASAAEgL6p_D_BwE

 

Dublinia Irish History Museum

http://www.dublinia.ie/

 

Dublin Zoo

https://www.dublinzoo.ie/

 

If visiting in summertime, there is nothing like seeing Riverdance at the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin:

http://www.ticketmaster.ie/riverdance?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIqsear86U2QIViAOGCh3cRw-REAAYASAAEgIkN_D_BwE

 

If you aren’t going to be in Dublin when Riverdance is playing (June 21-September 3) there are still ways to see fantastic Irish dancing and hear great traditional music, you can pre-book an evening at one of several dinner theaters, for a fraction of the price of a ticket to the Gaiety. We most recently attended this one, at the Belvedere Hotel.

 

Belvedere Irish Nights:

http://www.belvederehoteldublin.com/belvedere-irish-night/

 

St Stephen’s Green (Park with Botanical Gardens) http://www.heritageireland.ie/en/dublin/ststephensgreen/

 

Phoenix Park

http://www.phoenixpark.ie/

 

Grafton Street – shopping and entertainment https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grafton_Street

 

Avoca

https://www.avoca.com/en/shop?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIlI6b8dOU2QIVTCaGCh0rYAGlEAAYASAAEgLJrvD_BwE

 

 

Shopping:

 

House of Ireland

https://www.houseofireland.com/

 

Kilkenny Design Center

http://www.kilkennydesign.com/design-centre

 

Avoca

https://www.avoca.com/en

 

Newbridge Silver

https://newbridgesilverware.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIvffAzZ6V2QIVUVqGCh0RKgooEAAYASAAEgJ9rPD_BwE

 

Nicholas Mosse

https://nicholasmosse.com/

4 thoughts on “Ireland”

  1. I think daytrips out of Dublin is worth noting – for example – the Boyne Valley region which is an hour outside of Dublin is great for a day trip – and the richest collection of heritage and Ireland’s stories. You can see my day trips there on http://www.ancienteastboynetours.com – but there are several tourguides who offer the same service and no-one comes away disappointed!

    1. Lucy, thanks for your comment. I looked at your website and it looks like a great service you are providing. Slainte!

    1. I’m SO glad you found this helpful, Jannette. Please let me know how your trip goes. Where (and when) are you traveling, if you don’t mind my asking? Wishing you safe and happy travels!

Comments are closed.