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Erin Go Bragh!
Would you like to find out why the Irish are so lucky? When you go on your vacation you will see where the Irish are the luckiest- the place that is Ireland is beautiful and magical, historical and modern.
The country of Ireland is a divided one, however, and when making vacation and travel plans one must consider which side of Ireland one might want to visit. Of course, a traveler is free to come and go from both sides, but it’‘s good to know a little about both sides before you make firm travel plans.
The country of Ireland has two parts- the Republic of Ireland which constitutes the main portion of the island of Ireland, and Northern Ireland which is part of the United Kingdom. The six counties which comprise Northern Ireland are covered on the UK section of this website. For destinations to counties and cities in the Republic of Ireland, such as the capital Dublin, then this is the appropriate section.
Your vacation possibilities begin here now that you have decided to travel to the Republic of Ireland.
When should you go to Ireland? That depends on what you want to do. If it rains, go to the pub. If it’‘s sunny, go to the pub. In July and August, the season, there will be longer, warmer days and more festivals to visit, along with more people joining you on your holiday. For smaller crowds and pleasant climate conditions try traveling in spring and autumn. If you are planning on traveling to Ireland for St. Patrick’‘s Day, remember to make reservations and arrangements early in advance, particularly if you are planning on traveling to Dublin.
Once you are begin planning your Irish vacation, you may want to consider what regions of Ireland you would most like to see. Dublin is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Ireland, and most travelers like to begin their vacations there. The city is the fourth most visited European capital, and for good reasons: excellent pubs, (make sure to do a pub crawl at the Temple Bar District), timeless architecture (St. Peter’‘s Cathedral is a must-see) and exquisite shopping are all available in Dublin. Once outside of Dublin, excursion possibilities still abound in the Republic. Cork, the second largest city in the Republic, is located on the banks of the RIver Lee. Try visiting Cork during a festival and you will truly have a splendid time. Another city famous for its festivals is Galway, which is located on the west coast of Ireland. The markets and shops are wonderful to visit in Galway, too, as well as Kilkenny, Waterford (oldest city and home to Waterford Crystal) and Letterkenny. Be sure to visit the town of Sligo, also, as it boasts beautiful scenery (mountains and beaches) and is home to W.B. Yeats, internationally renowned poet. Other destinations to consider are the Aran Islands, Cliffs of Moher, Ring of Kerry, and Glendalough. And don’‘t forget to kiss the Blarney Stone!
Ireland is a beautiful place for bicycling, so be sure to rent a bike if you can. There are plenty of campgrounds around if you find yourself needing a rest from all the biking. Trains and public transportation are quite reliable in Ireland, as well. Or you can rent your own car if you prefer to drive yourself around the Irish hills and narrow roads.
The official language of Ireland is Irish, or Gaeilge, but English is spoken everywhere. The official currency is the Euro and most places accept credit cards. The unofficial drink is Guinness, and try to visit Kinsale’‘s Fishy Fishy Cafe for some delicious Irish food.
No matter where you are in the world please be aware of your surroundings. And have fun on your Irish vacation.
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