Ireland has a wealth of exciting places to discover, from the beautiful Donegal coast in the northwest to cosmopolitan Dublin on the east coast. You can rent a traditional Irish cottage or stay in a healthy hotel, while exploring the country at your leisure.
If you want an unforgettable vacation, the Ireland of welcomes still has something for everyone. Whether you arrive on Erin’s shores by boat or plane, you’ll find that transportation is developing and improving all the time.
International flights are served by several major airports including Belfast, Dublin, Shannon and Knock. If you’re flying into Belfast, for example, you can begin your adventure by exploring the stunning north coast, famous for its ancient basalt rock formation known as the Giant’s Causeway.
After cooling off at the world’s oldest whiskey distillery in Bushmills, County Antrim, you can head west to explore the famous Donegal coastline, which boasts some of Europe’s tallest sea cliffs at Sliabh Liag.
No visit to County Donegal would be complete without seeing the Iron Age fort of Grianan Ailigh on the outskirts of the city of Derry. If you fancy shopping or entertainment before continuing south, you’ll find plenty to do in Derry, which has been named a UK City of Culture in 2013.
Speaking of culture, West Donegal is home to one of the largest Irish or Gaeltacht speaking areas in Ireland. As well as having the opportunity to hear Irish spoken as a vernacular, you may be lucky enough to catch a session of traditional Irish music in one of Donegal’s many traditional pubs.
If surfing is your thing, Ireland attracts a lot of swell. Highlights include Bundoran, County Donegal; Achill Island, County Mayo; Lahinch, County Clare and Tramore, County Waterford.
Transportation, as I mentioned, continues to improve in Ireland. Motorways connect most major cities and towns and the roads that are still single lane are now of a fairly high standard.
Your journey south along the Donegal coast will take you through the beautiful counties of Sligo and Mayo. While in May, you can visit the town of Cong, where The Quiet Man was shot.
From Galway City, you can drive to Dublin in just over two hours or Cork in under three. Don’t forget to pick up a Claddagh ring for someone special before you leave the City of Tribes, known as Galway for over three hundred and fifty years.
Killarney, County Kerry, has long been a favorite with tourists, as has the Rock of Cashel in County Tipperary. Kilkenny Castle is well worth a visit as you travel east, as is the Waterford Crystal factory.
Dublin has many delights, of course, including Christ Church Cathedral. From the capital, you can take the train north to Belfast before heading home. Don’t forget to visit us again soon though!
