Ireland is a fascinating land with a rich history, and it makes a great destination for families and individuals alike. Depending on their interests, visitors can choose to participate in a number of traditional events, or simply just take in the natural beauty of the landscape.
Stay in a castle
To truly experience Ireland’s history first hand, visitors can stay in one of the country’s many castles, some dating back to Medieval times. Some of these have been updated with modern renovations, while others preserve their rustic history. There are options to rent entire castles or simply stay in one converted to an inn, and each has its own unique history and features.
Learn how to pour a pint
For those visiting Dublin, a stop at the Guinness brewery – operating since 1759 – can be fun for adults. Travelers can learn all about the beer’s history in Ireland, and will even learn how to pour Guinness the way it is supposed to be. Visitors can also take part in pub crawls, both in major cities and outside of them. This is a fast introduction to Ireland’s drinking culture, but can be a great way to connect with locals and experience Ireland intimately.
Take to the water
To experience Ireland’s breathtaking cliffs and coastline, boat tours can be way to experience this landscape up close and personal. There are also a number of boat tours around some of Ireland’s most famous rivers and lakes. In fact, because some of Ireland’s cities are connected by these bodies of water, visitors can even travel between destinations by boat.
Visit on Bloomsday
Summer is often considered the best time to visit Ireland, and for literature lovers a visit to Dublin over Bloomsday (June 16th) will couple literary history with exciting events. The city hosts a number of events celebrating James Joyce and Leopold Bloom, the main character of Ulysses, through a simulated version of what things would have been like in 1904 – the time of the book.
Visit on St. Patrick’s day
St. Patrick’s day is a huge occasion in Ireland, and for visitors it can be a great way to experience a dose of Ireland’s culture. There are parades held around the country, and there is a huge festival every year in Dublin. Pub crawls during March can be legendary, so for those who enjoy parties and drinking, St. Patrick’s day in Ireland is an event not to be missed.
See the Burren
While Ireland’s lush landscape can be experienced all over the country, there are certain sites that travelers are continuously amazed by. One of these is the Burren, which is an area of unique limestone formations, affected by years of erosion and weather patterns.
This area of Ireland is also known for its flora, with hundreds of species of plants and flowers being native to the area, more than anywhere else in Europe. Visitors can walk or hike through pathways to explore all that the area has to offer.
