The Emerald Isle
Ireland, the Emerald Isle, when you consider its size (approx 4m inhabitants) and place in the great scheme of things (stuck out on the rainy edge of the continent, even further from the centre than Swansea) Ireland shouldn’t really add up to much. Only it does.
The Irish Have Contributed a Lot and Still Have a Lot to Offer
Think of the Irish contributions to global culture, for a start where would the world be without Guinness? (Especially on March 17th every year), think of all the wondrous Celtic folklore, a culture now recognised globally, think of how different the English speaking world (i.e. Britain, the US and Australasia) would be without the Irish there helping to forge new ideas. The fact that many of those emigrants, or their descendants are returning, whether temporarily or for good, speaks volumes, and any land to provide us with the words craic and blarney is worth the visit.
Ireland has done very well from the European Union in recent years, with EU money transforming the country from something of a provincial backwater to the fabled “Celtic Tiger” that we hear so much about, and this has only increased the number of visitors without an O’ before their surname.
Live, Modern and Entertaining
Take Dublin for example, which you will now find to be a very modern, lively city with a traditional heart. Recent investment has made this one of the most liveable cities in Europe, and it shows. Highlights of a trip to Dublin include a pint somewhere along the banks of the Liffey, probably around Temple Bar, another pint observing the city skyline beneath you in the tower bar at the Guinness Brewery, and check out a hurling game at that magnificent cathedral of sport you can see on the horizon, Croke Park. Having slept off the several pints, wind your way slowly out to the bay in your rental car for some pleasant coastal scenery.
The Capital is Not All Ireland Has to Offer- Why Not Take a Drive Around
Of course, we would be very much remiss to suggest that Ireland was Dublin or vice versa. Other highlights include Limerick in Munster, further south Cork, (European city of culture 2005) and should you feel like heading over the border, Belfast and Derry. All this expolring can be made a lot easier with the use of a cheap car hire.
Relax, Explore and Enjoy All Nature Has to Offer
Outside the cities the countryside is just as lushly green as you would imagine, and dot it with castles and lakes, then ring it with a ruggedly spectacular coastline which is never more than 60 miles or so away, you have lots of opportunity to relax, explore, hike, fish, cycle, canoe, or do pretty much anything your heart desires. If the vast countryside is not yet secluded enough for your taste, try the Aran Islands in the Galway Bay on the west coast. Especially the smaller ones are barely frequented by tourists and you will mostly find sheep grazing between the stone walls.
For those of you wishing for something a little different, a drive in the hired car to Skellig Michael (a craggy) , is less than 6 or so miles offshore in the Atlantic, and home to a well-preserved monastery dating from the 6th Century.
