Ireland

Ireland radiates a happy go lucky feeling wherever you go.  Amazing, when you realize their history of occupation by the English, their battles with the Vikings, the famines and even civil strife.  But colorful homes and towns, music floating out of the pubs, lively fishing villages and breathtaking scenery are the things that make the happiness spread through the friendly people of this green island.

Dunguaire Castle Ireland

And while the overcast skies seem more the order of the day, those occasional sunny days accentuate the beauty and heighten the depth of green and blue that makes Ireland the place that it is.  But don’t let the clouds put you off, it only adds to the mystical feeling that takes you back in time.  The castle ruins, the abandoned forts, the ancient stones are all evidence of the long history experienced by the Celts, Vikings, Normans and English who have come before. Here are but a few things to do:

Many people think of Dublin when they think of Ireland, however, we think about the mountains meeting the sea, the majestic Cliffs of Moher, the blue Lakes of Killarney, the meandering rivers, and the rugged Burren.  But don’t get us wrong, Dublin is a fun city and worth a few days of exploration.  And as in many of the European cities, it’s a good base from which to travel to other parts of the country.  Ireland is a country that is laid back and most accommodating.  For that reason, you can see it any way you choose.  This is one of the few places that you can let your holiday guide you. So before you go, give it some thought.

Do you like the city or the country? Scenery or nightlife? If you like city life, plant yourself in Dublin, see the city and take day tours out to other areas.  If you like to explore the countryside, head for  County Wicklow or the “West Country” to visit many of the sites we highlight, coincidentally on our page called Ireland for Children. Whatever you do, don’t miss the great Foynes Flying Boat Museum, which we have supported for years. It is in Co. Limerick on the Shannon Estuary and not far from Adare, our favorite little town in the world is just a few miles away!

We are sure you will love Ireland. We go every year, often more than once, and we always find something new and interesting.

The best way to see Ireland is by car. You must drive on the left, but the cars are right-hand drive, so it’s tough to forget that things are a bit different. Traffic outside the larger cities is generally light, and the major roads are easy to negotiate. If you’d like to give it a try, here’s a link to the top car rentals in Ireland.