Why not spend your vacation exploring the Emerald Isle – Ireland!
Ireland is a beautiful, unspoilt country for the most part, with miles of vibrant landscapes and seascapes just waiting to be explored.
Ireland never fails to charm every visitor, and the Irish people are easily the friendliest in Europe, if not the world. Best of all, they speak English!
Ireland embodies romance, with its unspoilt beauty, relaxed pace, terrific food and accommodation to suit every budget, and of course, rainbows!
DUBLIN
The colorful Irish capital, Dublin, is divided in two by the River Liffey. The only problem knows where to begin exploring! There is so much to see and do in the city, especially if you like culture, history, and good food, music and entertainment.
The wide avenues and lush green parks like St. Stephen’s Green of greenery are ideal vantage points to admire the countless Georgian buildings that dominate the capital.
Dublin also has many magnificent structures from earlier times, particulart the cathedrals of St. Patrick’s and Christ Church, and castles.
Trinity College, the Bank of Ireland, and the Post Office are a few other examples of Dublin’s unique architecture. Visit the college to see one of the oldest manuscripts in existence, the illuminated Book of Kells, which dates from 800AD.
Dublin Castle is 13th century. Christ Church is even older, from the time the Vikings first invaded and then settled Ireland, about 900 AD. The interpretive history center Dubliana, in a building adjoining Christ church, is a must-see trip back in time so you can learn all about the history of the city. It was one of the first and still the best interpretive museums in the world.
Dublin also boasts a wide range of fine museums, restaurants and pubs, plus a great zoo and some excellent live theatre, including the historic Abbey, Peacock, Gate and Gaiety. It is a lively, youthful city, and definitely prospering thanks to the Celtic Tiger economy which has been booming since about 1996.
The best thing about Dublin is that everything is in easy walking distance, so get a map and don’t be shy about asking for directions. Also don’t be shy about going into pubs, and into any of the Bewley’s around Ireland, great coffee houses with full menus. Any Starbuck’s fan is sure to adore Bewley’s.
Dublin is also a major transport hub to get to the 4 corners of Ireland. The main Irish airport is Shannon in the west if you are coming from America, but you can get flights from Dublin to pretty much any place in Ireland or the world now.
Continues in
Planning Your Trip to Ireland Part 2