The Inimitable Charm of Ireland
There’s a special place in my heart for Ireland. Ever since I was a child, I wanted to visit and see if what everyone says is really true. Are the hills that green? Are the cliffs that steep? Are the towns charming and the people that friendly? Does Guinness taste better over there? (Spoiler alert: yes, it does.) I didn’t have my feet on Irish soil for very long when I knew that everything I’d heard about Ireland was not hyperbole. If anything, all the praise you hear for the Emerald Isle doesn’t even scratch the surface. I’m a firm believer that Ireland should be on everyone’s destination punch card.
A vacation to Ireland is rich with history, culture, culinary delights, local immersion, the bustle of city-life, and the slower pace of the south and west. Dublin and Galway are walkable cities with a few exceptions that would merit the use of a taxi. Saint Patrick’s Cathedral and Kilmainham Gaol are too far for walking from the main area of Dublin, but they’re worth the slight inconvenience. There’s too much history to soak up within the span of a few days in Dublin. You’ll have to prioritize your sightseeing goals but be sure to include some of these on your itinerary: Dublin Castle, the Long Room at Trinity College and the Book of Kells, Kilmainham Gaol, Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Guiness Storehouse, Jameson Distillery, Christ Church Cathedral, Grafton Street, and Georgian Dublin. There is no shortage of fantastic food from homey fish and chips at the pubs along Camden Street to the two Michelin Star restaurant, Chapter One. Depending on your preferences, you can stay at a conveniently located and Irish-run hotel with a full-suite of amenities and historical character, or you could stay at The Merrion, a legendary 5-star hotel housed in four Georgian townhouses and a contemporary Garden Wing.
If you’re comfortable driving (and most likely shifting gears) on the opposite side, rent a car and travel south along a generally coastal route clockwise around the country, stopping in Kilkenny for a day visit and Waterford for a few nights. Drive back to the north and further west to see the impressive ruins of Rock of Cashel. Along the drive, enjoy the lush countryside, the castle ruins dotting the landscape, the herds of sheep that will cross the narrow road in front of you. Make your way south to Blarney Castle. What’s a trip to Ireland without throwing out your back to kiss an ancient stone? After your time at Blarney, head through Cork City to Kinsale and be delighted by its colorful buildings along cobblestone streets, a 16th-century fort, and the charm of a small seaside town.
From here, you have some choices to make with my help. You can choose to drive the Ring of Kerry, the Dingle Peninsula, or both. You could hike or hire a jitney through the Gap of Dunloe, a breathtaking mountain pass that’s beauty will surpass every imagining of Ireland you ever had. To make your way up the western coast, work with me to check the ferry schedule. You’ll want to make that ferry across the Shannon River to drastically cut down on your driving time unless you would like to explore Adare and Limerick. Take in the Burren, a karst landscape of limestone rock which looks like the hills are paved with it. Go as far west as you can to experience the drama of the Cliffs of Moher. There are no words to adequately describe this natural wonder.
Spend a few days exploring Galway. At this point, you’ve been on Irish soil for nearly two weeks. Take a day of rest at the hotel spa to recharge. Take a ferry to the Aran Islands to the southwest. If you crave exercise, rent some bicycles to explore the island. You’ll see your fill of stone monuments, sheep, sheer cliffs, forts, and come home with an authentic Aran sweater directly from the source!
By now, your vacation days might be running low. It’s a one-hour drive from Galway to Shannon International Airport to catch your flight home. If you cannot bear to leave, head north to Ashford Castle for a remarkable stay in a 5-star castle hotel, the former home of the Guiness family. You may never want to leave the grounds of this luxurious estate, but if you do, head west to the Connemara region for sweeping views of green hills, the Atlantic Ocean, and gorse-covered mountains. Stop in at Kylemore Abbey, a former estate turned abbey, famous for its architecture and beautiful grounds. End your Irish vacation on a high note with a dinner at the George V Dining Room at Ashford Castle and say farewell to your crenulated home away from home.
If you’d like for Sunkissed Bliss Travel to help you design a vacation to Ireland, we can create a custom itinerary if you’d like to travel independently, recommend a reputable tour company for a private driver or small group experience, or suggest a British Isles cruise to see more of the surrounding area than Ireland alone. Please contact us for more information.
