Guest Post
If President Obama’s recent visit to Ireland taught us anything, it’s that the land of four leaf clovers is regarded so highly around the world. As a tourist destination, Ireland is full of many undiscovered gems, stunning stretches of coastline and of course, the bustling city of Dublin. Here are some of the must sees on any trip to the country…
Slieve League in County Donegal
Between Dublin and Limerick sits the small village of Moneygall, now made famous by the recent visit by the president. Why not enjoy a pint of Guinness at Ollie Hayes’s pub and follow in the footsteps of Mr. Obama? If you would rather taste a bit of Irish history, head to County Donegal, the bastion of the Irish language and Gaelic culture. Donegal castle in Donegal town is well worth a visit. The castle was once home to the infamous O’ Donnell clan who were one of the richest and most powerful families in Ireland in the 1600’s. As well as being ripe with history, Donegal is undoubtedly one of the most picturesque areas of the country. With rugged hills and beautiful beaches, the scenery is nothing short of spectacular. Slieve League is Ireland’s tallest sea cliff at 2000 ft. To get those all important photographs you need to head to One Man’s Path road from Teelin. To enjoy quiet time on the beach Stroove Beach off Greencastle is the place for you. With soft, white sand and sand dunes, this is a lovely place to relax. For water sports, Rossnowlagh or the ‘Heavenly Cove’ as it is commonly known is the place to go. With dramatic scenery, towering cliffs and shimmering waves, this is the perfect place to surf.
Dublin City Centre
For endless sightseeing all at your fingertips there is no where better than the city of Dublin. Ireland hotels are certainly well represented in the capital. For true luxury, you could do a lot worse than staying at the Harcourt Hotel. With contemporary design and great food, this is the perfect base for any city break. For the ultimate pint of Guinness, St James’s Gate Brewery is the place to visit. The famous, Irish beverage has been brewed there since 1759 and nowadays is open to the public as a museum. For a great shopping spree, Grafton Street should be on your list. The street is equally famous for its life-size, bronze statue of Thin Lizzy front man Phil Lynott.
Dublin is home to Trinity College, Ireland’s most prestigious university. Founded by Elizabeth 1st, the college has a rich history and is now open to tourists. You also cannot leave Trinity without viewing the Book of Kells held in the College Library. Containing words from the gospels and richly decorated, it would be criminal not to view the manuscript.
History, fantastic scenery, a good pint, Ireland has it all. With so many places to visit, it’s hard to know where to start. But no matter where you end up, just go easy on the Guinness. It’s a lot stronger over there…