To experience Ireland is like traveling through a world in an emotion and dream-like state. One can enjoy this country in its full intensity. This Island, that has England to its eastern side has the best of people, good food and always a refreshing drink at the local pub expressing out loud, “Guinness is good for you!” I have traveled the four corners of Ireland, and believe me it is intense. How so? It has nature and castles all thrown into a delicate mixture of styles and again, these are colors that attract so dearly.
All that come to Ireland must drive or experience driving on the left-hand side of the road. The truest and best side to drive on, if you’re a lefty, it’s easy to get used to. To start any adventure, the beginning is Dublin. I have always thought that the best crossing is Athlone and you can finish in Galway with its beautiful castles and enchanting people.
From Galway, there is the best of Ireland on the western side. It holds the views of the Burren or roughly translated from Gaelic, “the stone rage”. And the ancient tombs that are northwardly to the Ring of Kerry and Dingle Bay peninsula. The tip of Burren also has Medieval Dinners in Dunguire castle. And with a quick picture and stop, following south, near Shannon there is Bunratty castle to purchase some sheep skin and remembrances from the Blarney Woolen Mills. Also, there is a special castle, to kiss the Blarney stone! Some say, it is the place to find eloquence by coming here… A quick walk from the Mills will show all eloquence in awe. For the Blarney Castle one has to come for a kiss and a remembrance to behold! As I kiss it, I can say, “Give me eloquence in the writing and forget the rest!” Ha, ha.
Eventually, to any trip, there is a stop! There are thousands of B&B (Bed and Breakfast) to choose from. They start from 30 euro per person and they go up to 60, this will depend on the area best or least traveled. Not too bad, considering the change from the dollar to euro. All B&Bs focus on a good place to sleep, bathrooms in suite and the typical Irish breakfast of black pudding, bacon, eggs and fried tomato. The rooms are lovely and quaint, with the best food to enjoy!
Ireland holds the record on ancient. You can sit easily in any castle or church that can be over 1,000 years old. While touring, some structures around Dingle Peninsula are a primary example of time and beauty well preserved, they are commonly between 5,000 to 2,500 B.C.E. These ancient constructions are based on perfection, the way they sit and protect and they seem to never weather against time.
Hands down, the western coast of Ireland is the best. From Dingle Bay, to travel north is even more exciting! There is the Connemara Peninsula, place where John Wayne made famous by “The Quiet Man”, here one can see the Village dedicated to the movie, recall the always lovely Maureen O’Hara and remember those impacting skies of orange when dusk is approaching. Here, is to admire the impressive Kylemore Abbey and focus on its beautiful loughs or lakes. It’s easy to sit here hour after hour with a book and sandwich and fall in love with its Lough.
If time is on your side, there is a crossing from Sligo into Northern Ireland. What’s in the north, well, it’s an entirely different country and it belongs to England. What the south has in greenery, the north shows for industrialization and volcanic formations that date back some 65 million years ago.
Once in Northern Ireland, the greatest tour and portion of the travel is the head towards Autrim County. This place has the best Irish whiskey in all of Ireland, nearing 400 years and counting at the excellence of the “Bush Mills”. There are also the legendary steps of Finn McCool or Giant’s Causeway. Furthermore, the Dunluce Castle decorates the coastline in ancient style and it appears to have been born from the stone itself. Life is sweet, and it gets sweeter when one reaches into controversial Belfast. At one time a point of conflict for 30 years: now it is point of lovely shops, fashion and beautifully dressed women in European elegance. When walking, it is good to adsorb all the beauty and treasures.
As I drive, Ireland will show me places that are not conquered by the Romans, such as England. But it will show me sites that are unique to the Emerald Isle! Towns that were conquered by the Vikings and Normans… Also, it will reflect burial sites where once great Kings and Queens ruled, such as Newgrange. The site reflects an ancient observatory for the sky and a burial of Kings and Queens that measure underground over 19 meters or nearing 63 feet in length… Sided by stoned walls, topped perfectly by earth and it’s easy to see stone circles that weigh-in over a ton. I have to question myself, how were they moved? Ireland will mention of a period that Druids societies were the great women shamans of the Island ruled and lead, as they advised Kings and Queens some time in the 12th Century, before they lost popularity… These women counselors were the ones that lead this society, it was a little before the Medieval period. And an Irish society that was completely matriarchal. Centuries then changed this all over Europe and men had to lead the way into what we know now as the “Dark Ages”.
Once again, if passing through Dublin, with enough vacation time there is always a moment to visit Trinity College to see Ireland’s oldest Book of Kells. The oldest Christian book written in Ireland and it holds a record for over 1,200 years.
Continue a path through south to Waterford to enjoy King John’s Island and Castle. Waterford specializes in crystal and the most beautiful glass creations in the worldwide.
Between a love affair for nature and modernization, there is the city of Cork. A unique Town that holds an impeccable history and it is one of the best places in quality of life to live outside of Dublin. Only two and a half hours from the country’s capital, it holds the past of Viking and Norman invasions. It’s a City of want, were people have not forgotten their manners and politeness. And walking through its main streets: it’s easy to find eateries, pubs and souvenir shops to conquer the eye amongst pastel colored buildings that can easily date back along the “new town” for some 200 years.
Another area, that’s a necessity to visit between Dublin and Cork, is around Kildare. The Town has to finest B&Bs or Country cottages in the whole of Ireland. Here you can find-depending on the season-from horse races, to Japanese gardens and even a skydiving festival for your pictorials.
Ireland with enough time could be enjoyed partially, inside of one week and two to maximize around the south. I can only say, “Ireland is for all! And it is lovers!”
Written by: Daniel Otero, San Juan, Puerto Rico
A consultant that writes part-time as a hobby.
My dream is to retire in Ireland!