Ireland is one of Europe’s most underrated travel destinations. On my first trip to Ireland recently, I was blown away, and immediately vowed to come back for a longer trip. Ireland is a beautiful country, with famously warm hospitality & a lively, spirited culture. It’s hard not to have a lot of fun in Ireland! Visit Ireland to experience thousands of years of history, wild and romantic landscapes, and most importantly, to find Ireland’s world famous craic (fun).
There are more people living outside Ireland with Irish ancestry, than there are in Ireland. For millions of people around the world, a trip to Ireland is an opportunity to retrace the steps of their ancestors and wonder what life might have looked like, had they not needed to leave. Regardless of whether there is Irishness in your family tree, Ireland offers so much for travellers of all stripes.
Dublin is the capital of Ireland, and is a lively and charming city, bursting with great craic (fun). It’s a UNESCO City of Literature and has a vibrant cultural life, alongside beautiful historic neighbourhoods and a thriving nightlife. Georgian Dublin is historic and elegant, and yet also a magnet for young people, making it one of Europe’s youngest cities and leading tech hubs. It’s also quite popular for stag & hens weekends from around Ireland and the UK, but they tend to stick to Temple Bar.
Ireland’s Ancient East is steeped in ancient folklore, history and myth. Extremely accessible from Dublin, it is worth making at least a day trip to Glendalough Monastic Site in the Wicklow Mountains, and Kilkenny in the south, to experience Ireland’s history first-hand.
How long to spend in Ireland?
Ireland is a small island, which makes it possible to visit more than one destination even on a short trip. I’d love to spend weeks in Ireland, but even if you only have a few days, as we did on our first trip, you’ll find that the country is extremely accessible (particularly compared to large countries like the USA & Australia!)
Ireland & Northern Ireland
The island of Ireland is formed by the Republic of Ireland, of which Dublin is the capital, and Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom. Ireland is ancient, but the Republic of Ireland is relatively new, in historical terms. Ireland gained independence from England in 1921, and in the last 800 years, it has only been free for the last hundred. This centuries-long occupation, the resulting waves of mass emigration and the fight for freedom are key tenets of Irish history, and you’ll be find reminders of this history everywhere as you explore Ireland.
