Visit Ireland

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The Emerald Isle is an appropriate nickname for the European island most everyone knows is Ireland. “Emerald” because of the expansive hilly green landscape that seemingly stretches as far as the eye can see and, “Isle”, since, after all, it’s the 3rd largest island in Europe, separated from Great Britain by the Irish Sea. Ireland contains a pair of complicated political divisions that are part of the United Kingdom. A little over 80% of the island constitutes the democracy known as The Republic of Ireland having its capital in the city of Dublin. The northern portion of the island, known as Northern Ireland, is more closely aligned with the British political structure and maintains its capital in Belfast. Dublin is Ireland’s most populated city and the primary entry point for visitors. The city is found at the mid-point of the island’s eastern shoreline at the mouth of the River Liffey. The surrounding area has been inhabited since prehistoric times and the city contains some important ancient landmarks and monuments. Dublin Castle is a great example of a Norman fortification originally designed to protect the citizenry more than 800 years ago and a popular place for tourists to visit. Dublin possesses an important literary history. Many prominent writers, including Nobel laureates William Butler Yeats, George Bernard Shaw and Samuel Beckett along with other influential writers and playwrights such as Oscar Wilde, Jonathan Swift and Bram Stoker (creator of Dracula) called the city home. Dublin was the location of many of the works of James Joyce, including Ulysses, which is set in Dublin and is full of details about the city. Ireland's biggest libraries and museums are found in Dublin, including the National Print Museum of Ireland, The National Gallery of Ireland and National Library of Ireland. The Dublin Writers Museum occupies an original 18th century house, which accommodates the museum rooms, library and gallery. The Museum was established to promote interest in Irish literature and in the lives and works of individual Irish writers. It’s no secret that throughout the world the Irish are known for their fondness for beer and whiskey and the quality output from their breweries and distilleries. Visitors to the Emerald Isle enjoy learning about the history of production and visiting some famous drinking holes along with tours of renowned distilleries and breweries. Irish Whiskey has fans all over the world and tours of the Jameson Distillery, complete with a taste of the produce, attracts both the initiated and those that have never felt the warmth a single malt whiskey. Temple Bar is an area on the south bank of the River Liffey in central Dublin with a preserved medieval street pattern. Temple Bar is promoted as "Dublin's Cultural Quarter" having a lively nightlife that is popular with tourists. The Guinness Storehouse is a Guinness beer-themed tourist attraction located at St. James's Gate Brewery in Dublin where the history of Guinness is told through interactive exhibition areas including presentations about the ingredients, brewing process, transport, cooperage, advertising and sponsorship. Tours are typically completed by quaffing a pint of the quintessential almost black in color Irish brew. Trinity College is Ireland's oldest and most notable college. Founded in 1592 in Dublin by Queen Elizabeth I, the hallowed halls house an amazing collection of literature within the Trinity College Library. The Book of Kells, a vibrantly illustrated version of the four Gospels of the New Testament that was created around 800AD by Celtic monks is housed in the library. Trinity College is one of the seven ancient universities of Britain and Ireland, as well as Ireland's oldest university. Another popular site in Dublin is St. Patrick's Cathedral, the largest cathedral in Dublin and the national cathedral of the Church of Ireland. Originally built at the end of the 12th century on the site where St. Patrick is said to have baptized converts some 600 years earlier the Cathedral is one of the most renowned and beloved churches in the world. Also found at the Cathedral is the tomb of Jonathan Swift, author of Gulliver's Travels. Europe's largest public green space, Phoenix Park, features plenty of lush green lawns, shady wooded areas and cool, clean lakes. The Dublin Zoo, the third oldest zoo in Europe, finds Phoenix Park its home, as does the Farmleigh House, a large Edwardian estate with a working farm. Visitors to the Dublin area also enjoy hiking and cycling in and around the city as well as along the coastline. One such outing is the Hike Portmarnock to Malahide skirting one of the best beaches in County Dublin, also an important site in the early days of aviation and displays a number of fortifications built to defend the coastline before finishing at what was one of the longest continuously inhabited castles in Ireland. Belfast, Northern Ireland’s capital and the island’s 2nd largest city is situated at the mouth of the River Lagan. Visitors to Belfast quickly become acquainted with the city’s association with to the RMS Titanic, the British passenger liner that sank in the North Atlantic Ocean on April 15, 1912 after colliding with an iceberg during her maiden voyage from Southampton, UK to New York City; that collision prefaced one of the deadliest peacetime maritime disasters in modern history. The RMS Titanic was the largest ship afloat at the time it entered service and was built by the Harland and Wolff shipyard in Belfast. Museums and tours with the infamous RMS Titanic at their core are scattered about the capital city of Northern Ireland. Belfast is also the home of numerous murals that have been painted on buildings, walls and any surface where the message intended could be delivered. The more than 2,000 documented murals scattered about the city primarily promote specific political beliefs while others commemorate events like the Great Irish Famine. Belfast is quickly gaining a reputation as a place where the pride and warmth of the locals translates into a good time for visitors that get out and about to experience the local culture. Much of Ireland’s charm and beauty is found outside the major cities among the rolling hillside and quaint seaside villages. The towns of Limerick, Cork, Kilkenny, Dingle and Doolin among countless others offer visitors a broad range of experiences from traditional Irish music centers and ancient castles to hallowed houses of worship. Ireland's natural beauty and those rolling green hillsides are perhaps the island’s most famous quality. Glorious beaches, vast national parks, dramatic landscapes and interesting wildlife all make the Emerald Isle an ideal destination for recreation focused visitors. Cycling, hiking and rock climbing experiences can be found most everywhere on the island. Wicklow Mountains National Park stretches through County Wicklow, a short distance south of Dublin. It contains a variety of attractions that are popular with locals and tourists seeking recreation or some history lessons. Chief among the historic sites is Glendalough, which features a collection of Early Medieval monastic structures associated with St Kevin, a hermit priest. Other sites in the park include the Education Centre in Bolger's Cottage and remnants of mining villages. Recreational activities available within the park include nature walks, hiking and rock climbing, For those visitors with an interest in things that are very old, prehistoric monuments, some dating back more than 5,000 years, await exploration. Brú na Bóinne in Newgrange is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in County Meat that predates the Egyptian pyramids and was built with remarkable sophistication and a presumed knowledge of science and astronomy. An ancient temple is a fitting classification of this fascinating place, one of astrological, spiritual, religious and ceremonial importance, much like present day cathedrals that are places of prestige and worship and where important citizens are laid to rest. Junkets to Ireland are highly ranked on the bucket lists of golfers the world over. World class golf is seemingly around every corner of the Emerald Isle. While great courses can be found virtually anywhere in Ireland, some truly memorable experiences await. Tralee Golf Club in County Kerry traces its routes to the latter part of the 19th century. The coastal town of Ballybunion maintains 2 links courses where golf has been played continually for more than 120 years. The Old Course at Ballybunion has gained a reputation as one of the best links golf courses in the world. Ballybunion is also the location of one of Ireland’s most famous surfing beaches. Royal Portrush in County Antrim, Northern Ireland ranks highly on the must-play lists of golf enthusiasts visiting Ireland. Royal Portrush hosted the first professional tournament in Ireland in 1895. In 1951, the course hosted the only Open Championship (British Open) ever held in Ireland. Royal County Down Golf Club is located against the magnificent backdrop of the Mountains of Mourne in the Murlough Nature Reserve. Built by Old Tom Morris adjacent to the Irish Sea, Royal County Down has seen myriad major golf tournaments on its hallowed grounds dating back to the late 19th century, including The Walker Cup, The Curtis Cup, The Amateur Championship, The Irish Open and The Senior Open. Lahinch Golf Club in County Clare, Ireland was also started by legendary Old Tom Morris in 1894. Later, English designer Martin Hawtree gave the Lahinch greens more size and slope, adding bunkers and reshaping fairways. The result is a masterpiece that gladdens the hearts of high handicappers and Tour pros alike. (Phil Mickelson has called Lahinch his favorite links course). The K Club, near Dublin, boasts a great course combined with a plush retreat. Other unforgettable courses can be found near Dublin at The Island Golf Club, Portmarnock Golf Club and Druids Glen. Fishing, or “Angling” opportunities in Ireland are also world class. The River Slaney traverses 70 miles of scenic Irish countryside before discharging into the Irish Sea at St. George’s Channel at the town of Wexford. Near the town of Bunclody in County Wexford the confluence of the River Slaney with the River Clody is found where springtime sees the Slaney with abundant water giving rise to terrific Salmon Fishing providing catchable fish up to 10+ pounds primarily for fly fishing enthusiasts. Deep Sea fishing is also popular with outfitters being found in most seaside towns. Lighthouses with storied pasts also call to visitors to the Emerald Isle. Fastnet Rock is a small islet in the Atlantic Ocean at the most southerly point of Ireland near County Cork on the Irish mainland. Fastnet was known as “Ireland's Teardrop” because it was the last part of the country that Irish emigrants would see as they sailed to the United States in the 19th century. Fanad Lighthouse is a dramatic structure located on a peninsula that lies between Lough Swilly and Mulroy Bay guarding the north coast of County Donegal. The Hook Head Lighthouse is a purposeful building situated at the tip of the Hook Peninsula in County Wexford; Hook Head is one of the oldest lighthouses in the world, and the oldest operating lighthouse in Ireland. And, visitors looking for a total immersion lighthouse experience can spend the night at Blackhead Lightkeepers' Houses which are ideally situated on the North Shore of Belfast Lough. The panoramic views from the property are stunning filling visitors with delight. A trip to Ireland, at least the first trip, may not be considered complete without partaking of a tradition known as “Kissing the Blarney Stone” – properly called the Stone of Eloquence by its owners. This block of Irish Bluestone has been caressed by the lips of statesmen, literary giants and legends of the silver screen according to local lore. Kissing the Blarney Stone is said to endow upon the kisser the “gift of gab”. The stone is built into the Blarney Castle that dates to the mid-15th century in its present form with lineage to the 12th century. Blarney Castle is well worth a visit to enjoy its impressive gardens and various buildings that are open to the public.

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