I think everyone is a little biased when it comes to their homeland, but since moving to Canada I have always been surprised by how many people tell me that Ireland is on their ‘bucket list’ of travel destinations. In this blog, I’ll go over some tips and recommendations for anyone who wants to make that trip a reality. For a relatively small country (Ireland just over twice the size of Vancouver Island), there’s a lot to choose from.
The Irish are famously welcoming to tourists, and while not all stereotypes about Ireland are true (no, we don’t say “top of the morning to you” at every opportunity), this one definitely is. In shops and restaurants, in bars, or on the streets; if someone realizes you’re a tourist they will do their best to be friendly, helpful and welcoming. No matter where you go, you will be treated well.
East Ireland
Geographically, you can divide Irish travel destinations by North, South, East & West.
In the East, you have Dublin, which will most likely be your first stop if you make a trip to the Emerald Isle. With a population of over 1,000,000 people, Dublin has everything you might expect of a bustling European city; museums, art galleries, theatres and restaurants abound, as do interesting historical locations like Dublin castle and the ever-popular Guiness Storehouse. You could easily spend three or four days in the capital taking in the sights and sounds. I would especially recommend taking in a play in the Olympia or Gaiety theatre – Ireland is famous for our poets & playwrights, and no matter what is showing, you’ll be in for a treat.
From Dublin, you are a short drive to Newgrange, one of the oldest and most unique archaeological sites in the world. Situated in the Boyne valley, Newgrange is one of several a pre-historic passage tombs in the area that was built more than 5,000 years ago. Any lovers of history could easily spend the best part of a day here.
South Ireland
In the South, the most obvious destination is Cork city. Comparatively much smaller than Dublin, Cork is a foodie’s paradise, with a number of excellent restaurants to choose from. The English Market (open since 1788) highlights the local produce of the region, and is filled with everything from butchers to cheese mongers (the Farmgate Café upstairs is also an excellent choice for lunch). Animal lovers will enjoy a trip to the nearby Fota Wildlife Park, a 100-acre park where animals can roam freely through some extremely large enclosures. Fota Island also offers a world-class golf resort for anyone so inclined.
West Ireland
The West of Ireland is a place of unparallelled natural beauty (in my rather biased opinion, at least). You could easily spend a week ambling through Galway, Clare & Kerry. The Cliffs of Moher in Galway can’t be missed – you might have seen pictures of these famous cliffs online (fans of The Princess Bride might recognize them as “The Cliffs of Insanity”!), but the scale is impossible to take in without being there in person. In Clare, the Burren offers a unique, almost otherworldly atmosphere, where you will be surrounded on all sides by exposed limestone rock.
While Kerry might not have the obvious wow-factor of the Burren or the Cliffs of Moher, it’s my go-to location in Ireland when I want to get away from the world. Head for Dingle, a small town on the eponymous Dingle Peninsula. You’ll be treated to snug, cozy bars that wouldn’t be out of place in the 1800’s (don’t miss the chance to go for a drink in Dick Mack’s) as well as beautiful nearby locations like the Connor Pass and Slay Head. You’ll also be close to the Skellig Islands, where ancient monks established a monastery in near total isolation, as well as the beautiful Blasket Islands. Both can be accessed for day trips with local tour operators.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom and has its own unique history and sense of identity. Belfast would be the best choice for a city destination, as it is famous for its arts and music scene. The Titanic Museum is an excellent experience, while any lovers of HBO’s Game of Thrones will find filming locations dotted around the countryside (and a choice of tours offering transportation between them). There’s also the Giant’s Causeway, a unique, bizarre geological formation jutting into the sea, formed eons ago when molten lava flowed out into the icy waters. If you’re in the area, this shouldn’t be missed.
One potential challenge for anyone who plans to stray from the bigger cities is transportation. You won’t have any trouble getting around Dublin with taxis or on public transit, and there are plenty of options for getting between major cities.
Things change when you move to rural areas, which is a pity because some of the most beautiful and quintessentially ‘Irish’ places you will want to go and see are off the beaten track. While public bus routes exist for most smaller towns and villages around the country, you’ll more than likely be dealing with a timetable that is spotty, at best.
One solution would be a tour bus. There are quite a few options to choose from, especially if you’re heading to the west or south-west of the island. You should have no trouble finding a tour operator with a schedule that fits your itinerary.
If you’re slightly more adventurous, renting a car will give you freedom to take your time and make lots of stops along the way. While rural Irish roads can be small and winding, there’s no better way to see the countryside. Be sure to consider Rental Car Protection Insurance if you’re planning to rent a car!
Whether you are looking for culture, history, great food or natural beauty, Ireland has something for everyone. You could see a lot of the country in one or two weeks, and even if you just have a few days while on a wider European adventure, you can still do a lot and will have a fantastic time. As we say in Irish, go n-éirí an bóthar leat (have a great journey)!
Safe travels,
Richard
