It
is truly a hidden gem. Think ''PS: I love you'', but 2353446452x better!
In
true UK fashion, it is a very cloudy country and rainy at times but somehow,
you don't even notice it. Like our leprechaun-loving-guinness-enthusiast tour guide once said:
‘‘the sun is always
shinning, it's just above the clouds''.
This
brings me to my first, and most important, point. The Irish people are one of the
biggest selling points when chosing to visit Ireland. They really do welcome you with
open arms. They are so kind, genuine and proud to be who they are. Just to give you an idea, when you ask them for directions or advice, their faces just light
up as soon as they hear your accent. It's almost like they want to help you even more because
you're visiting. When we arrived at customs, the officer was convinced that I was Irish, even with my passport in hand, and was telling my boyfriend how lucky he was to have me. A far cry from Canadian or American customs, let me tell you!
We
stayed in Dublin for most of our time in Ireland. The only way to describe the
city is quaint. It's a simple and country lifestyle planted in a urban city. Most stores close around 7pm and
people gather in pubs to catch up! Work seems to be secondary and family comes
first. Then comes the pint of Guinness, of course.
There
are many treasures in downtown Dublin that are a must-see.
Dublin castle is rich in
history but very subtle compared to other grand castles we saw in Europe. Also,
there is
Trinity College where you can visit the
Book of Kells. It is loaded
with Viking history seeing as the city itself was built on an old Viking
establishment. While you're there, if you take a left while exiting the
college, you will find a corner store which has a
Tim Hortons. Just like back
home. Of course, down the road of the ''Hop on Hop off'' tour, you will inevitably
stumble upon the
Guinness Storehouse. Pretty sure the locals are part of a magnetic field that draw them to anything Guinness. You will understand quickly that is it their pride and joy. The storehouse itself is
absolutely mind blowing. It is huge! With over 5 levels to discover, you
will arrive in the gravity room and have a spectacular view of the city. It is
definitely worth the journey. Finally, there is the
Kilmainham Gaol, which is
the old prison of Dublin. The tour guides are extremely knowledgeable on
Ireland's history and you will find yourself captivated by their difficult yet
inspiring route to success and independance from the British monarchy.
(Kilmainham Gaol, as seen in some famous movies!)
While
in Ireland, it is crucial that you visit the
West coast. (there are some cliff tours but also some PS: I love you tours. Crazy right?) One this is certain, there is nothing more
spectacular than to travel across the greenery of Ireland's East to reach its rocky West coast. The
Galway area's picturesque scenery has a sense of calm to it and is all you can ever hope to experience. This all leads to the
breathtaking
Cliffs of Moher. These cliffs are 700m high. Do not be fooled by
the pictures, they are deadly and much higher than it appears to be. But to see the cliffs of Ireland is almost dream-like. You are engulfed by adrenaline because it's one of those things that
you've always seen in pictures, but never imagined you would see in real life. For those who are brave, take a walk down the left, on the actual
cliffs. They are ''technically'' out of reach but most people wander off
anyway. That is where you get the money shots! (see the second picture below) If you are brave, lie on your
tummy at the edge of the cliff and just look down. You'll see the birds that look like flying ants glide
over the crushing clear blue water and you'll experience a new sense of
freedom. Lucky to be alive and to breathe this air, is what I felt.
DO IT! (be safe though!)
Spend the rest of your time eating! Walking down
near the river that flows through Dublin, you will find the
Temple Bar area.
Really fun area with lots of bars and restaurants. Indulging in the food is the
best part of traveling to Europe. If you start your trip in Ireland, this is
when you'll feel like you've made it. The cobblestone, the constant leprechaun
jokes and Guinness is what truly makes Ireland desirable. But it’s when you
leave that you will find that it is much more than that. It's paradise.
love,
DD
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