The other day, an Erasmus student in one of my seminars was gushing about Ireland. She was telling us how beautiful it is, how much there is to do and see and how nice a place it must be to live. Initially, I was laughing, we all were. Do not get me wrong, I love the place, but I suppose it is no Paris, and has no colosseum, or Great Wall of China, or even enough sun to melt an ice cream most days. However, I realised that this way of thinking is all too common a problem with us Irish playing down our country’s beauty and attractions so much that we start to believe it ourselves. We’re used to it here, of course. My Erasmus friend was seeing it all with fresh eyes, and maybe that’s what we need to do too. We walk around everyday, and we see grey clouds, construction sites, the potholes that need fixing, and miss all of the beauty that lies just past this. I realised just how much I had been taking for granted as my friend told me all about these wonderful places in Ireland she had visited. I noticed that I hadn’t visited some of them in years, or ever, at all. Not wanting to let this stand, I have put together a small travel list for those visiting Ireland, but even more so for those who are already here.
Dublin
Those who live in Dublin seem to be among the most fed up with it, so we’ll start right here. While we lack some of the gorgeous Irish countryside in our city streets, if you look just beyond the city limits, you will find the National Botanical Gardens in Glasnevin, with bus routes 155, 4, and 9 ready to take you close by from the city itself. Hop on any of the 145, 13, 123, C1, 26, 69, G, X27, 52 buses to get a lift down to Phoenix Park, and see the wildlife in the park or go right next door to Dublin Zoo to see the animals there. If you’re feeling adventurous (and brave), take a dart trip down to The Forty Foot, a lovely patch of fresh Irish water to take a dip in, surrounded by visitors in full wetsuits who know a couple minutes is enough, and the old locals swimming everyday as if it was Tenerife.
If the city is more your thing, there are many things to do (despite what we’ve all been saying!) The Guinness Storehouse may seem like an overdone tourist trip, but it is a staple for a reason. Right beside the train station and the LUAS Red Line, there is no excuse for an Irish person in the country to not have seen the behind-the-scenes of our beloved stout. If you can’t handle the black stuff, The Jameson Distillery on Bow Street runs a whiskey tasting and cocktail master class. A guided tour of the place and a fancy couple cocktails seems a tough deal to pass up. If alcohol is not your thing, then EPIC, the Irish Immigration Museum, should be number one on your list, an interactive museum experience for all ages.
Galway
Besides the charming and quaint traditional feel to this county, it also happens to be the festival capital of the country, and a student city with rich nightlife. If you plan your visit well, you could be just in time for one of the many yearly festivals, including a comedy festival, a jazz festival, a mediaeval festival, and of course, one of the biggest St. Patrick’s day festivals in the country. The pubs and restaurants here are filled with character, and the city is a homey base for the natural beauty just outside. A day trip (or more) to the Aran Islands is non-negotiable, and the West Coast itself is the perfect spot to try out your surfing skills.
Belfast
A trip to Belfast is time-not-wasted, for the rich history but mostly, of course, for the northern accent. Learn about the deep and conflict-ridden history of the north, take a trip to Belfast Castle, Saint Anne’s Cathedral, and many more old historical sites. Stop by the Titanic Museum, for an incredible interactive historical exhibition of the famous sunken ship. Head to the Sunflower Pub afterwards for a hearty bowl of stew and a pint- a simple and gimmick-free corner pub, but as close to the good old classics as you can get!
Clare
Clare is a country bursting at the seams with natural beauty. The Burren, a karst limestone landscape is worth more notice than an easy question on the Leaving Cert geography paper. It is an incredible sight to see, complete with cliffs, caves, fossils, and archeological sites. Clare strikes again with the Cliffs of Moher, famous for its multitude of different flora and fauna including Puffin birds. The Cliffs have been featured multiple times in movies, including the Harry Potter and the Star Wars franchises. Doolin Village nearby is another cool spot to drop into, renowned for its live Irish trad music.
Meath
Newgrange is an incredible prehistoric monument located in Donore, Co. Meath. It is the site of a passage tomb that is over 5,000 years old, and was an unbelieve feat of prehistoric engineering to track the passing of time for farming purposes by monitoring the length of the shadows filling the tomb. Older than Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids, it is definitely worth a look!
Wicklow
For the best of natural beauty in Ireland, take a trip to Glendalough, located in the Wicklow Mountains National Park. The best part is, you don’t need a car for this one, with St. Kevin’s bus offering daily services from Dublin to the National Park. Not only can you pack a picnic and marvel at the fabulous landscape of the glacial valley, but you can take a walk on any of the many hiking trails, or visit the famous Early Mediaeval monastic settlement and the ruins that are left.
