Introduction
Ireland is consistently voted one of the most beautiful countries in the world. It is known for its beautiful beaches, lush countryside, and extensive culture. Also, it has some of the most vibrant and fun cities in the United Kingdom. There’s a lot more to do than just visit the pub! In this article, I will go over some of the places that I would include in a trip to Ireland.
Choosing Your Destination
It can be hard to choose which part of Ireland you would like to visit. It is important to note that the island Ireland is divided into two countries; Ireland and Northern Ireland. Ireland is a part of the United Kingdom while Northern Ireland is its own independent nation. However, the two countries have open borders to each other so it should be no problem visiting both in one trip. Although it is close in proximity to other countries in the UK, Ireland is ethnically and culturally unique. It is a pleasure to the traveler to discover the culture! In my opinion, the perfect trip to Ireland would contain a visit to the cities, magical castles, and historical sites. If you are planning a trip to Ireland, this article will be a great guide for you!
Cities:
Dublin – The first and most memorable place I would suggest visiting in Ireland would be Dublin. It is world renowned for its historical significance to the Irish people. Also, it is home to many traditional and fun Irish Pubs. The Temple Bar is popular amongst locals and tourists alike and is one of the most visited pubs in the city. If that interests you, you may also be interested in visiting the Guinness Brewery in Ireland. A tour of the Guinness-Glass shaped brewery costs roughly eighteen euros. It is certainly worth the cost to see how the timeless classic is brewed. I talk about castles in the next section of the article, but if you are in Dublin, be sure to visit Dublin Castle!
Blackrock – If pubs and beer aren’t really your thing, there are plenty of other cities in Ireland that you could visit and have an amazing time. One I would recommend would be Blackrock in County Louth. Blackrock is a small and charming town on the coast of the Irish sea. It is known for its fantastic beach and quaint town. A relaxing beach day and trip into town will surely make wonderful memories.
Castles:
Blarney Castle – A perfect spot to visit for both history buffs and nature lovers alike. The grounds of the castle span 60 acres, filled with beautiful flowers, landscaping, and gardening. It can make for a romantic and fascinating stroll. The castle was built over 600 years ago by Cormac MacCarthy. If visiting the castle, be sure to take part in the custom of kissing the famous Blarney Stone!
Doe Castle – While Blarney Castle is known for its lavish flora, Doe Castle is known for its spectacular view. The castle is located on a hill and is surrounded on three sides by the ocean, making it appear as if it floats. This castle is nice to visit because it is not one of the most popular tourist destinations. Therefore, you are free to observe and absorbs the views privately.
Historical Sites:
Newgrange – One of the oldest preserved structures in human history, Newgrange was first constructed in 3200 BC. The structure is a large mound in a grassy field that spans over 270 feet. The hill is hollowed out with passages, some filled with burial sites and artwork. Historians believe that the monument could have been a religious site or an ode to the dead. Either way, it would be interesting to see a structure that was built so long ago, it’s even older than the pyramids!
Skellig Michael – A beautiful historical site that also is a great view of the Irish coastline, Skellig Michael is an island off of the West coast of Ireland. It was once home to a monastery. The island has a set of ancient stairs that lead up to a lighthouse as well as the abandoned monastery. In order to visit the island, you must take a boat trip during the Summer season. A visit to the beautiful island typically lasts about 6 hours.
What Trip Planning Tool You Should Use
Sometime there are so many fun things to do that it’s hard to choose! Once you do, it is even harder to coordinate the travel and logistics. Visiting all the locations that I mentioned in this article would take you all over the island. In order to make the trip easier, I would suggest utilizing a trip planning tool. If you are planning a trip to Ireland, use a free tool like Route Planner to make coordinating travel much easier.
Not only does Route Planner coordinate travel, it can help you plan a trip (and not just in Ireland). It helps plan your trip based on your destinations and how many nights you are staying. It also includes a lot of extra features. In every destination you enter, it will suggest things to do in the area. It will also include relevant articles about whichever location you may choose.
Conclusion
It is my recommendation that you visit at least one city, castle, and historical site on your Ireland vacation. That will ensure a diverse and Although I have never been to Ireland myself, I have many friends and family who have gone and had the best time of their lives. It is rich in culture and fun things to do. Visit and immerse yourself with its friendly people! For more information on fun things to do, visit this article.
Bibliography
“15 Best Places to Visit in Ireland.” VacationIdea, VacationIdea LLC, vacationidea.com.
“25 Best Things to Do in Dublin (Ireland).” The Crazy Tourist, The Crazy Tourist, 30 July 2018, www.thecrazytourist.com.
Hodapp, Patty. “5 Castles That Will Make You Go Medieval in Ireland.” Travel Channel, Travel Channel, 10 Sept. 2015, www.travelchannel.com.
“Newgrange.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 10 Nov. 2018, en.wikipedia.org.
“Skellig Michael.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 7 Nov. 2018, en.wikipedia.org.
“Route Perfect Ireland Trip.” RoutePerfect, www.routeperfect.com/ireland.