INTRODUCTION
Fancy yourself a pint of Guinness or a little whiskey at the close of the day coupled with some witty banter from the locals about current events? Then Ireland is the place for your next trip abroad. From the hustle and bustle of brilliant Dublin to the quiet pubs of Killarney, Ireland will fascinate and intrigue you to no end.
Most visitors tend to find the charm of the Western coast to be their ideal vision of Irish culture but don't let that stop you from exploring the Eastern coast.
Dublin is alive and rich with Gaelic heritage. Several museums dealing in Irish literary figures and artists will give you a solid perspective of this culture's originality. The Guinness brewery is one of the main attractions of the city, boasting a thoroughly enlightening tour of how this unique beverage is made.
When the city has exhausted you, head into some of the lesser known towns and you'll find that the Emerald Isle's moniker is no lie. Towns like Sligo, Westport and the ring of Kerry will not let you down. If you branch out and go deeper into the heart of Ireland you'll find greener than green pastures in a serene countryside unmatched by any other you have come across. Endless opportunities for edifying travel await you in this beautiful country.
Major cities include:
Cork
Dublin
Galway
Limerick
Killkenny
Waterford
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Capital: Dublin
Climate: Ireland's climate is really dependant on when you go, but you will usually find mild winters and cool summers. Expect a lot of rain and wind from late October-April and peak summer temperatures of around 20'c.
Currency: Euro
Languages: Irish and English
Power: 230 V, 50 Hz
Time Zone: DST +0100 UTC
ATTRACTIONS
Kilkenny Castle
Blarney Castle
Burren
Clifden Castle
Cliffs of Moher
Connemara
Giant's Causeway
Hill of Tara
Kylemore Abbey
Leap Castle
Rock of Cashel
Aran Islands
Mount Brandon
St Patrick's Day
LODGING
Charleville Lodge
There is a huge variety of excellent lodging around Ireland to suit any budget. You will find cosy B&Bs and guest houses in every town or village, a choice of excellent hostels in all the big cities, and boutique hotels, country houses, and converted castles across the country.
PERSONAL STORIES
Brenda Ireland