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12 Reasons To Visit Ireland (Part 2)

August 17, 2016

Continuing from Part 1… Need more reasons to visit Ireland?

5. A History Predating the Pyramids

Proof of habitation in Ireland dates back over 5,000 years to the Brú Na Bóinne tombs located in County Meath. Built in the Neolithic or Late Stone age, they predate the Egypt’s Gaza Pyramids and England’s Stonehenge. There are several large passage tombs: Knowth, Dowth and Newgrange. These are very popular during the winter solstice. A ray of sunlight shoots through the opening of the Newgrange mound and illuminates the chamber for a few minutes. Along with this site, there are countless other historical experiences to take in!

6. A Preserved Traditional Culture

Ireland enjoys a relatively isolated location. Only Britain in relatively close distance. Therefore, the culture and traditions have remained relatively unchanged by foreign influence and invaders throughout history. Early druidic culture and fringe influences from the Roman civilization have allowed the people of Ireland today to retain significant elements of the Celtic culture.

Visit Trinity College in Dublin to see the Book Of Kells, written by Celtic monks in the 9^th century. It’s considered a cornerstone piece of Irish heritage. It is comprised of a copy of four gospels written in Latin, depicting scenes through wording and artistry.

7. More Than Just Potatoes!

When you think of Irish food, there’s a large chance a giant plate of potatoes comes to mind. While that may still be part of the traditional gastronomy, dairy products, especially farm made cheeses are putting Ireland on the international map. Not sure what is Irish cheese exactly? Click here to find out!

Besides delicious cheesy products, Ireland is also seeing a revival of local products as well as farmer’s markets and increasing demand for organic products. Traditional dishes such as Irish stew, soda bread, fish and chips and colcannon (cabbage, kale and potatoes) are still a must try. But make sure you don’t miss out the fresh seafood either! With thousands of kilometers of coastline, you can find delicious Wild Atlantic salmon, scallops, lobster, prawns, swordfish, sole and oysters at almost any place along the way. Oh, and don’t forget to check out the annual Galway International Oyster and Seafood Festival each September!

8. World-Famous Beers

If I’m being perfectly honest, one of the first images that pop into my mind when I think of Ireland is a cold pint of Guinness. What better way to relax after a long day of sightseeing, kissing stones, exploring ancient tombs and rough, rugged landscaped that with a cold brew? The Guinness Storehouse in Dublin is considered a top site, which has been produced since 1759. (Albeit I decided not to go because it cost a whopping 18 euro entrance).

Stay tuned for the final four reasons to complete the list of why Ireland should be on your travel radar!

[Huffington Post], [The Richest], [Readers Digest]

The Irish Fishing Village of Howth

By Ronald Ackermann -

July 20, 2016

Having not researched much information before my previous trip to Ireland, I wasn’t sure what to expect…

Initially, rolling plains, sea cliffs, coastal areas and Guinness drinkers comes to mind. Luckily, a friend from university moved to Dublin some years back and since we would be staying there for a few days, I asked her what can’t be missed.

Where Is Howth?

My favorite suggestion from her was not specifically in Dublin proper, but rather a small fishing village in the Dublin suburbs known as Howth. The district of Howth encompasses the majority of the peninsula known as Howth Head, which forms the northern section of the Dublin Bay. It was originally purposed as a small fishing village, especially with such as close location to the city of Dublin. As tourism as well as Dublin expanded, Howth grew into a more modern mix of residential development mixed with wild, grassy hills.

Getting to Howth

To get to Howth, which is conveniently located only 15 kilometers from Dublin city center, take the DART from the Tara Street Station to Howth DART Station. Depending on where you’re staying in Dublin, the departure station may vary. The ride takes about 45 minutes, and it goes for the most part along the coast, which offers stunning views of the water. If you prefer, you can also take the Dublin Bay Cruise, which depart from Dun Laoghaire and brings you through Dublin Bay.

The Howth Harbor

Once you’ve arrived at Howth, taking a nice walk along the pier, watching the local fisherman brings in the day’s catch or simply enjoying the beautiful scenery is a great way to start. The harbor area is located less than a 10 min walk from the train station, and is very simple to get to.

Exploring The Village

Or, another option to begin could be to visit the Howth Castle and Grounds, which is one of the oldest still occupied buildings in Ireland. The surrounding gardens are very nice, or if you’re feeling a bit more active, you can visit the cooking school in the Castle known as The Kitchen for half-day and evening classes.

Depending on your level of walkability, there are various trails to explore that bring you all throughout the peninsula. Maps are located at the train station, and the various walking trails such as the Bog of Frogs Loop and the Cliff Path Loop. As there are relatively large hills to climb, and limited shops throughout, I would recommend bringing plenty of water and some snacks along the way. Once you’ve reached the top, however, the views are totally stunning, and it is a frequently visited location for bird enthusiasts.

Some of the restaurants in Howth Harbor. — Some of the restaurants in the harbor.

And Don’t Forget…

Also not to be missed on a visit to Howth, is the fresh seafood. Cod and ray are commonly caught locally, with fishing trawlers coming in and out throughout the day. The restaurants along the seafront also serve the catch of the day, such as the Oar House Fish Restaurant, The Brass Monkey or the Aqua Restaurant. As they are all located very close together, you can easily see which one best interests your taste and prepare for seafood so fresh you can pick it out of the water!

[Wikipedia], [Visit Dubin]

12 Reasons To Visit Ireland (Part 1)

By Ronald Ackermann -

March 31, 2016

The Cliffs of Moher. Taken by Charles Hutchins via Flickr.

The Emerald Island has long been associated with beautiful rolling hills, a rich, mysterious history and, of course, a world-renowned pub culture. Even if Ireland wasn’t on your travel radar before (I had just considered Dublin as my “must-see” spot in the country), hopefully reading about some of the fabulous thing this little island has to offer will change your mind! Oh, just make sure to plan your trip during the summer time- that is, unless you’re a big fan of endless rainfall!

1. Castles, Castles and More Castles

As Ireland has a rather tumultuous history with conflict, castles were built by the British, Scottish and Irish all throughout the land as defense mechanisms. Even if you don’t have a specific castle in mind, plan a road trip through the countryside and you’re guaranteed to spot some castles!

Kilkenny Castle. Taken by Brian Washburn via Flickr.

One of Ireland’s most famous attractions, the Blarney Stone is located in the Blarney Castle in Cork County, one of the most visited castles in Ireland. Legend has it that if you kiss the Stone (a truly acrobatic feat) you will have eternal eloquence (just pretend that it’s not a little gross that millions of other people have kissed the same stone).

Kissing the Blarney Stone. Taken by Jennifer Boyer via Flickr.

While the Blarney Castle may be one of the most popular, it is just one of more than 340 castles built in Ireland. That’s pretty astounding if you consider that the island itself is roughly the size of the U.S. state of Indiana (where there is definitely not more than 3 or 4 actual castles). Cahir, Kilkenny and Dunguaire Castles are definitely worth a visit- evoking the fantastical visions of medieval times.

2. The Cliffs of Moher

The Cliffs of Moher. Taken by Charles Hutchins via Flickr.

Over 12 km long, the Cliffs of Moher are considered one of Ireland’s most breathtaking sites. A straight drop of nearly 220 meters to the wild Atlantic Ocean the sheer size of the cliffs themselves are awe-inspiring, evoking the feeling of being at the end of the world. Coupled with the rough landscape and rolling hills of the country side behind you, the site popped right out of a postcard.

3. The Words: The Wild Atlantic Way

The Wild Atlantic Way is a nearly 2500 km long stretch of land along Ireland’s west coast, stretching from County Donegal to County Cork. A drive along this route will put you at one with nature and the wild Atlantic, spanning out as far as you can see from the coast. It is along this route that some of Ireland’s most stunning natural sites are located such as Connemara, The Burren and the Cliffs of Moher.

Ballybunion. Taken by Neil Tackaberry via Flickr.

Connemara. Taken by Leo Daly via Flickr.

4. Four More Words: The Causeway Coastal Route

Another reason to get out and explore the untamed Irish countryside is the Causeway Coastal Route, stretching along the northeast coast of Ireland beginning in Belfast. The gem of this tour is the Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site comprised of 40,000 basalt columns formed by molten lava that has cooled into dark hexagonal stone steps. Legend has it that a great Celtic warrior, Finn MacCool, built the “highway” to Scotland to battle a rival while scientists say it formed 60 million years ago.

Giant's Causeway. Taken by Jennifer Boyer via Flickr. — Giant’s Causeway. Taken by Jennifer Boyer via Flickr.

Also not to be missed on this route is the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, a suspension bridge that hovers 30 meters over jagged rocks or the remains of the Dunlace Castle, which is said to have inspired C.S. Lewis’ “The Chronicles of Narnia”.

[Huffington Post], [The Richest], [Readers Digest]

I’ve misjudged you Temple Bar…

By Ronald Ackermann -

September 3, 2015

Temple Bar at Night, Dublin. Taken by Barnacles Budget Accommodation via Flickr.

Found just south of the River Liffey in central Dublin, Temple Bar is one of the oldest sections of Dublin. Many consider it to be a cultural and creative hotspot of the city, coming alive at night with many bars and restaurants that are famous worldwide.

If I am going to be perfectly honest, I wasn’t such a huge fan of this neighborhood. It seemed to be overrun with tourist-centered locales, very expensive prices and extremely drunk people, even during the day. However, since I was only there for a few days, I think I have no place to judge. Perhaps the exterior of Temple Bar is rather superficial, giving first time visitors the wrong impression. After talking to a few people from Dublin and doing a bit more research, it became apparent that while many of the locals know that Temple Bar is one of the most touristic destinations in Dublin, it also has a lot going on under the surface.

To start with, there are various concepts of where the name “Temple Bar” came from. Historically, it was referred to as St. Andrew’s Parish, a suburb of medieval Dublin located outside of the city walls. After incessant attack by the native Irish, it fell into disuse in the beginning of the 1300s, but was redeveloped again in the 1600s to create gardens for wealthy English families.

Many consider the source of the name to come from the Temple family, especially the patriarch Sir William Temple, whose home and gardens were located there in the 17^th century. Others deduce that it was actually named after a district with the same name in London.

In the 18^th century, Temple Bar was the center of prostitution in Dublin only to suffer a decline in popularity in the 19^th and finally urban decay in the 20^th. During the 1980s, the state owned transport company proposed to built a bus terminal there, and during the planning stages the buildings were rented out at a low cost, attracting small shops, artists and galleries to the area. From here, you can see why the area may have developed the way it did, providing a hotspot for creative meet ups and some really cool street art.

Street Art in Temple Bar, Dublin. Taken by William Murphy via Flickr.

Temple Bar today features many acclaimed public spaces such as the Meeting House Square, Temple Bar Square, Curved Street and Cow’s Lane. The buildings also feature many different types of architecture and is home to one of Europe’s oldest built theatres. As well, it is home to the Project Arts Centre, one of the most modern and famous theatre spaces in Ireland.

Temple Bar Farmer's Market. Taken by William Murphy via Flickr. — Temple Bar Farmer’s Market. Taken by William Murphy via Flickr.

So, it appears I may have misjudged Temple Bar upon my first visit. It’s still a rowdy, tourist centered hotspot for partying, late night carousing and lets just say, bad behavior, but at the same time, a place for creative outlet with many galleries, studios, theatres, performance venues and cinema screens. As well, there are many markets for the visitor to enjoy, such as the Temple Bar Food Market, Book Market and Designer Market.

The Oliver St. John Gogarty, Dublin. Taken by Tony Webster via Flickr.

Alas, we cannot leave out some of the most famous nightlife spots there such as The Quays, The Temple Bar and The Oliver St. John Gogarty. If you’re looking for a Guinness, believe me, you don’t have to look far!

Featured image courtesy of Barnacles Budget Accommodation via Flickr.

[Temple Bar], [Wikipedia]

Ireland

12 Reasons To Visit Ireland (Part 2)

5. A History Predating the Pyramids

6. A Preserved Traditional Culture

7. More Than Just Potatoes!

8. World-Famous Beers

The Irish Fishing Village of Howth

Where Is Howth?

Getting to Howth

The Howth Harbor

Exploring The Village

And Don’t Forget…

12 Reasons To Visit Ireland (Part 1)

1. Castles, Castles and More Castles

2. The Cliffs of Moher

3. The Words: The Wild Atlantic Way

4. Four More Words: The Causeway Coastal Route

I’ve misjudged you Temple Bar…

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