9 Reasons to Fall in Love with Ireland

If you still have doubts about whether or not to include Emerald Island in your travel itinerary, we’ve listed some reasons why it should become a mandatory destination:

Country of Inspirations

Ireland is home to artists who have left incredible legacies, especially in literature, such as Samuel Beckett, Yeats, Oscar Wilde, James Joyce, Louis MacNeice, and Seamus Heaney. Not to mention the music scene, which features U2, Van Morrison, The Corrs, Sinéad O’Connor, The Pogues, and The Cranberries.

Curiosity: In 2010, Dublin received the title, granted by UNESCO, of the literary city.

Pints and Pubs

That Ireland and beer are inseparable friends, everyone already knows.

Pubs in Ireland go far beyond mere places to have a pint; they are real symbols of local culture.

The name Pub originates from the English term “Public Place,” which means public place. The pubs in Ireland are just that, public places where people usually meet and socialize.

The bars are a place of fun and leisure, good conversations, good beer, and some music. In a pub, you can philosophize about the meaning of life, debate global politics, listen to poetry, follow the beat of a live percussion instrument, sip a morsel of mussels, or just have a pint in front of a roaring, cosy fireplace.

The most typical pub is perhaps Cobblestone, being the oldest in Dublin. On the outside, it may even seem like a dubious place, so old it is; inwardly, it is almost a museum, with newspapers and nick-nacks.

Also well-known is the Temple Bar, one of Dublin’s main tourist attractions, Porterhouse, and it’s the diversity of beers, Hooley Night for the dance show, and Johnnie Fox in the mountains where you can eat divinely.

Incredible Landscapes

With beautiful and untouchable landscapes, the country stands out with its many shades of green and places like the Giant’s Causeway, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986.

There is also the picturesque Rock of Cashel in County Tipperary, as well as Cliffs of Moher, a cluster of cliffs along the Atlantic coast in County Clare, one of the finalists of the Seven Wonders of the World of Nature.

You should also take one of the Dublin Day Tours available and visit the coastal route through Dun Laoghaire to Dalkey Town and Killiney Hill and check the wonderful views of the Dublin Bay and Bray Head.

Castles

With more than 300 castles in the country, it seems that you are in one of those fairy tales you read as a child. Here you will find some of the most beautiful castles in the world such as Cahir Castle, Blarney Castle, Dalkey Castle, and Kilkenny Castle, the latter being one of the most visited historical sites in all of Ireland.

Gastronomy

With English influence, Irish cuisine offers many choices of dishes with meat and seafood, but its main ingredient is potatoes. Potatoes: if you love them, you will love Ireland. Dishes such as Colcannon (potatoes, garlic, and cabbage) and Boxty (potato pancakes) are well-known.

Not to mention breakfast. The Irish breakfast can have pork sausage, bacon, eggs, black pudding, white pudding, tea or coffee, toast or bread, meaning energy for a battalion!

Parties

For those who enjoy fun, Ireland is the perfect destination. Besides the happy and friendly people, the country is full of festivals all year round. It is impossible not to immerse yourself in Irish spirit and join parties such as the Galway Arts Festival or the patron’s celebration of the country, St. Patrick’s Day. The party, which lasts for days, is watered by pints, parades, and people crowding the streets. No wonder it is considered the most famous celebration in the country.

On foot or by bicycle?

By having a favourable topography, the country becomes a paradise for those who like to know new places by bike or on foot.

The highlight for the trekking trails, Croagh Patrick, a 764-meter mountain in the west of Ireland, is on the National Geographic’s top 15 track list.

Another great option is Killiney Hill with its beautiful Dublin sights and dozens of walking paths you can do.

Culture

Passionate about their history, the Irish respect and care about continuing traditions, whether in music, dance or culinary, you will always see the Irish culture, which is contagious, printed in various details.

Irish Hospitality

Okay, okay! We try not to list anything obvious but speaking of Ireland cannot ignore the sympathy of the people! Besides being educated, most are very happy and interested in getting to know new cultures. Clashing with an Irishman, whether at some tourist spot or in a pub, is guaranteed fun.