The word conjures up deep feelings and connotations. Lush green hills, mountains and glens, the mighty Atlantic, beautiful lakes and parks, the Burren, churches, fairy trees, and stone circles create a unique and magical environment to be sure. Celtic culture, sustainability, and nature contribute to the beauty of Ireland.
But the people are the treasure. Warm, friendly, ready with laughter (and good craic), singing, dancing, and tears when need be. Perhaps you have ties to Ireland through ancestry or imagination. Many people do.
Traveling to Ireland may begin with a flight into Dublin or Shannon. Dublin is the capital of Ireland on the east coast at the mouth of the River Liffey. This beautiful and busy town will give you a sense of history and culture. Visit art galleries and museums, cafes and pubs, boutiques and markets. Shannon and nearby towns of Limerick and Ennis will introduce you to towns with rich history and excellent music.
Traveling to unique places in Ireland is a joy. From the Beara Peninsula and Killarney National Park where you can enjoy visits to the Uragh Stone Circle, the Derreen Gardens, Ross Castle or Muckross House. The sweeping landscape and history give you an insight into Ireland, and on the Beara Peninsula you will be missing the mass of tourists who have found Ireland to be a must-see destination.
Traveling north, adventures along the Wild Atlantic Way can include visits to beautiful cliffs such as those at Kilkee. Stop for a coffee at Diamond Rocks Cafe. See the beach at Doonmore. Walk along the trail at the Cliffs of Moher, enjoying the view, reveling in the power of the vast Atlantic, watching the birds coast on the breeze. Visit the surfing capital of Ireland in Lahinch with its beautiful beach area and welcoming people.. Hike with a local naturalist in the Burren, a karst landscape of glacial limestone, with rock formations, archaeological sites, and fossils. Visit St. Brigid’s well near Liscannor in County Clare.
And don’t forget Galway, with its beauty, shops, and pubs and cafes. Music in Galway is wonderful, from the buskers on the street to the traditional music in pubs. Enjoy!
And then to Connemara, with its vast beauty and stunning colors. Oceans, beaches, lakes, bogs, and hills create a remarkable landscape that is wild and freeing. Set within this remarkable place, you can hike, fish, take a boat tour, or sit with a book and enjoy.
