Top 5 Things To Do In Ireland

If you listen to the stories about Ireland, you will spend your break drinking, dancing and looking at hills. For many people, this would actually be a brilliant holiday and there would be no need to uncover different activities and past-times. However, in the classic words spoken by Alan Partridge, “there’s more to Ireland than this” and you may be pleasantly surprised by the amount of great holiday options and attractions there are to enjoy in Ireland.

Galway

Don’t think that Dublin is the only city to choose for exciting nightlife. Galway is a great destination for trips to Connemara and the Aran Islands but with even young Dubliners heading West for a weekend away, you will find plenty in the way of exciting and entertaining bars to party the night and days away. And who knows, you may even find your very own Galway Girl.

The Guinness Storehouse

The tour is quite decent and the advertising campaign section is really entertaining but let’s be honest, if you’re going to Ireland, you need to sample the local wares. The best place to do is at the end of the Guinness tour in the Gravity Bar. Even if you don’t like the drink (and many don’t but you get a free pint), the panoramic views of Dublin afforded by the bar area will delight every guest.

Croke Park

As a deeply religious country, Ireland has plenty sacred places and where people go to pray. The most popular place of this nature is Croke Park, an 80,000 capacity stadium where games such as hurling and Gaelic football are played. These games are mainly amateur games although in recent times, the GAA has given authorisation for “foreign games”, such as rugby, to be played on the hallowed turf at Croke Park.

Croke Park was also the setting for one of the most shameful acts in British history when the Black and Tans and the RIC opened fire on the crowd at the stadium, killing 14 innocent civilians, in 1920. One of the stands at Croke Park was renamed the Michael Hogan Stand after a footballer who was killed that day. This incident played a major part in turning general opinion in Ireland against the British and the Crown.

Cliffs of Moher

Life in Ireland may seem a little relaxed and casual for your liking so if you want to get your heart racing, take a trip to the Cliffs of Moher. This can be found in County Clare and there is a terrifying drop off the edge and there are not too many handrails around the top. People have fallen off the edge so be sure to approach with caution but if you are keen to experience stunning views and to get the smell of the Atlantic in your nostrils, this is the place to visit.

With the massive drop off the edge of the Cliffs of Moher, your thoughts will no doubt stray towards holiday insurance and you’ll be hoping that you have some in place just in case!

The Blarney Castle

One thing you’ll soon learn about Ireland is that the local people love to tell a tale or two. Whether you choose to take the stories at face value or not is entirely up to you but there is no doubt that you’ll have a hugely entertaining time listen to them talk. One of the ways that the Irish have been given the gift of the gab, so they say, is through the magical powers of the Blarney Stone. Blarney Castle was built over 600 years ago and it is a stunning example of an ancient castle that is well worth checking out in its own right. However, if it is here you will find the Stone of Eloquence, the Blarney Stone, and if you kiss this, you will be gifted the ability to talk and weave a great story for the rest of your life.

The fanciful nature of the story ties in wonderfully with the Irish way of life and if you are keen to retell your stories with the strongest possible delivery after you return home, this may be the helping hand you need.

Greg is an avid travel writer who enjoys trips around Europe. One of his favourite places to visit is the west of Ireland and especially the county of Mayo with its rugged scenery and great coasts.