Ireland is a vibrant and welcoming country and its beating heart is the vivacious capital of Dublin. A city full of history, you’ll discover new experiences around every corner. Guided tours through the city are a great introduction to the fascinating backstories of the country, be it cultural, historical or a just welcome excuse to visit old, wood-clad pubs. Indeed, the sap of the Irish soul is not only the coursing rivers of Shannon and Liffey. In Ireland there is one pub per 100 people and one of the favoured drinks in these watering holes is undoubtedly the ‘black stuff’, also known as Guinness. In Dublin, visit the Guinness Storehouse for a guided tour of the almost 250-year-old brewery, where you can enjoy a free pint while taking in the panoramic views of the city from the museum’s top floor.
After this, walk off the effects of the beer by strolling in the Dubh Linn Gardens by the feet of the famous Dublin Castle, or walk through the beautiful Phoenix Park, where you’ll find the Dublin Zoo and the Irish president’s house, which was used as the model for the White House in Washington DC. Alternatively, you can also head to Croke Park to watch a game of the national obsession hurling, or continue your ‘culinary’ Irish pub expedition in the infamous area of Temple Bar. If, by then, you need to line the stomach, tuck into hearty and warming dishes at some of the great restaurants dotted across the city centre.
If you’re seeking adventures outside of Dublin, head south for some stunning scenes of rural beauty at the Wicklow Mountains National Park, before visiting southern towns like Waterford, Cork and Cobh. Here you’ll find plenty of emerald gems, such as the English Market in Cork, the Titanic Museum in Cobh and ancient buildings in Waterford. A visit to the south of Ireland should also include a visit to Blarney Castle just outside Cork, where you can kiss the famous castle stone to gain the gift of eloquence. Heading further westwards, you’ll reach Limerick and the scenic route known as the Ring of Kerry. In Limerick, visit the Hunt Museum here and marvel at old King John’s Castle on the banks of the Shannon, before heading to further westwards for aspot of fishing in Dingle. Ireland is a place of myths and magic, and you’ll find plenty of ingredients here to create your own story.
The Emerald Isle lives up to its name. Ireland is awash with hidden gems; from its urban centres to its rural outposts, there is an enormous amount to see and do. The Irish are well known for their hospitality and their friendly and inquisitive nature. Travellers to these shores are sure to have the experience of a lifetime.
