Traveling Around Ireland

Ireland is one of the most beautiful nature destinations in Europe. A country full of castles, rugged rocks and spectacular cliffs. If you are looking for peace, space and nature, you will feel comfortable in Ireland. There are a few countries as green as Ireland. It is the national color for a reason. On St. Patrick’s Day, the national holiday, the entire country turns green. Today, we are going to take a closer look at Ireland as a holiday destination.

Things to Do in Ireland

Ireland has many beautiful regions, nature parks, coastal routes, Celtic remains, colorful towns and museums. There is something to do for everyone, whether you enjoy the nature, or want to visit historical sights. Let’s take a look at some of the must-do things in Ireland:

Cliffs of Moher

The Cliffs of Moher are located on the rugged west coast. A spectacular place best discovered by driving the Wild Atlantic Way, one of the longest coastal tourist routes in the world. This way you also pass the Cliffs of Moher. It is one of the most visited places in Ireland.

The gigantic high rock wall that rises almost vertically from the sea is a very impressive sight to behold. The highest point is 214 meters. Surrounded by green fields and a clear blue sea, it is a picturesque place. The cliffs stretch over a length of 8 kilometers.

The Dingle Peninsula

The Dingle Peninsula is located in the south of Ireland. The coast of this region is known for fierce waves and imposing cliffs. The hospitable town of Dingle, after which the peninsula is named, is definitely worth a visit. Visiting the local pub will give you a true Irish experience.

Giant’s Causeway

In Northern Ireland, about an hour’s drive from the city of Londonderry, you will find one of Northern Ireland’s most impressive sites. The Giant’s Causeway is a rock formation made up of more than 40,000 basalt columns. What makes them so special is the fact that they are almost perfect in shape, almost looks man-made. They were created more than 60 million years ago after a volcanic eruption. It is a great natural wonder and definitely worth a visit.

The Skellig Islands

The Skellig Islands are located only a short distance from the coast. A fairly unknown place, but so beautiful that you absolutely do not want to miss the opportunity to visit the unique islands. Sceilic means “crag”, a rugged or steep cliff or rock face, in Irish, a name that has not been chosen at random. The Islands have impressive rock formations. Two of them are called: Skellig Michael and Little Skellig.

Foods to Try in Ireland

When you are on holiday in Ireland, you should definitely be surprised by the rich flavors that the country has to offer. The Irish are proud of their traditional cuisine. You can enjoy fresh meats, such as lamb and beef, artisanal cheese and freshly caught fish. The dishes might seem simple, but they are tasty, and often made from modest ingredients such as potatoes and vegetables. Breakfast is also a very important meal of the day in Ireland. Let’s take a look at some of the best dishes that Ireland has to offer:

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  Irish Breakfast: Traditional Irish Breakfast is very hearty and filling. In general, it almost always consists of bacon, eggs, sausages, black pudding, baked beans in tomato sauce, toast, mushrooms and friend tomatoes. There is also a side of baked potatoes.
• Irish Stew: Perhaps one of the most famous and common Irish dishes. Irish Stew consists of potatoes, onions, parsley and sometimes carrots. However, the added meat is what makes it typically Irish. What type of meat is used varies by region. Mutton, lamb and sometimes even goat is used in a traditional Irish Stew.
  
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  Boxty: A very popular potato dish. Boxty is a pancake-like dish that is made from potatoes. There are various types of Boxty, but the basis is always finely grated raw potatoes. They are flavored with salt and pepper, and eggs are added. Often served with apple sauce, tomatoes and sausages.
• Colcannon: A type of kale stew with gravy. If kale is not available, green cabbage is often used. It is a simple dish that consists of mashed potatoes, leek and kale, seasoned with sea salt and fresh nutmeg. A hole is dug into the mashed potatoes, and gravy goes into it. Colcannon is eaten with sausages or fatty ham.
  

Ireland Travel Tips

• Tipping culture in Ireland is not widespread, but it is often expected to leave a 10 to 15% tip of your tab.
• Ireland uses the EURO currency, as opposed to the POUND currency used in Northern Ireland.
• Pack for every season. The climate in Ireland is very unpredictable.