Why ireland is great

First, many outside of the Emerald Isle might never have heard of the craic before and secondly, it can be hard to define what it actually is. For some the craic can be a small family get-together, story telling and a simple cup of tea.

For others again the craic can be a positive vibe, a great story or joke teller, a welcoming atmosphere and so much more again. Plenty of nations can claim ownership to beautiful scenery. Too many to name! Irish food and drink is one of our best kept secrets as a nation… Warm bowls of steaming Irish Stew, paired with freshly baked wheaten bread covered in real butter, beautiful lamb dishes, freshly caught fish along our coasts and in our rivers and so much more, will make even the most stubborn of men and women reconsider their opinions about Irish food.

They will tell you they are the friendliest in the world. I still remember my first visit to Ireland. I was at the Immigration processing area with Stirling. The person who looked at our passports told me that he would let me enter Ireland under one condition.

Intrigued, I bought into his game and asked what that might be. It was an unusual comment, given most of these officials can barely raise a smile when you are with them. As an island in the middle of the North Atlantic, there are plenty of opportunities to explore the breathtaking scenery that the coastline provides. Magnificent cliffs that drop away to the ocean, inlets and bays where the weather seems a little less wild, and small towns and villages to pop into along the way.

The Wild Atlantic Way provides perfect road trip material, allowing you to stop in anywhere you like, making this a leisurely place to travel. The Wicklow Mountains brings a true sense of Irish country life. I remember walking the cliff trails of the eastern parts of Ireland too, not far from Dublin, and thinking it was simply heaven on Earth.

For epic cliffs, the Cliffs of Mohar are a must see. If getting into the Irish countryside is of interest, consider taking in the Ring of Kerry , a circuit that picks up the coastline, the beaches and the more rural parts of the country. Once upon a time, Ireland was probably slated as being great for stodgy types of food and burgers!

I remember burgers being big the last time I was there. Not surprisingly I suppose since they go so well with beer. Colcannon is a regular in traditional food places. Ireland is fast becoming known for having great food. With a country rich in fresh produce and seafood, chefs and restaurateurs are now bringing a new type of fresh cuisine to the table.

Now, whilst I love my beer, drinking Guinness is not something I can warm too. I had to disagree. Drinking Kilkenny down in Kilkenny where else is also a must-do for beer lovers. For those with a refined taste for spirits, a whisky tasting tour would be perfect, with famous names such as Jamesons and Tullamore heading a fine list of distilleries open to the public. The pubs regularly have live music, further cementing these establishments as being an integral part of the Irish culture.

The music can be spontaneous too, with pop-ups happening around the streets. Music is a huge part of Irish culture and it can emerge anywhere. Everywhere turns green, plenty of beer is consumed and the party atmosphere takes over completely. The nightlife is there for everyone to join in, not just a mainstay of the young crowd. There are amazing libraries too and of course, Irish folklore is an important part of understanding the country as well as it creating a shroud of mystery and fun.

We discovered where Yeats lived on one of our cliff walks east of Dublin. With the beauty of Ireland as a backdrop, people come from all over the world to play golf. Surfing is also huge given the breadth of their coastline and the waves of the North Atlantic. Ball sports like rugby and rugby league also attract a loyal following. Organised tours to key world sporting events that occur in Ireland are usually sold out well in advance.

Doing a self-drive would be a special way to see the country, or if you are wanting a little more organisation to take the worry out of your trip, then there are some great organised tours in Ireland. As you know, our style is more independent, but there are definitely times when a tour can be the right approach.

I remember doing some of our own travel in and around Dublin, and then jumping on a quick tour to get down into the south. All tours are designed around the specific locations, giving plenty of opportunities to really see the area you are visiting and have time to explore.

A visit to Ireland is most certainly not complete without spending some time in Dublin. We are spoilt for choice when it comes to beautiful countryside in Ireland. This is where a self-drive road trip or an organised tour of Ireland can really help you see as much of Ireland as your time will allow. Among other things, dig your teeth into the famous Irish soda bread and the lesser-known boxty, an Irish potato pancake.

In small fishing villages along the west coast, we also recommend ordering some seafood. They focus on local and seasonal produce to give you a modern taste of Ireland. These are only 10 of the many reasons why Ireland is a destination of choice. We can help you make the most of your time in Ireland. Camila grew up between the French Canadian and Chilean cultures, before moving to Scotland in Find Camila on LinkedIn.

We'd love to give you the same amazing travel experiences as you read about in our blog! To visit the destinations and attractions mentioned in this post - and to discover a few new highlights along the way - check out these recommended Nordic Visitor tours. Blogs , In Brief , Ireland. Search Packages. Change destination. Travel Info. Contact us Live Chat. Reviews Privacy policy Cookies Sitemap. Posted in: Blogs , In Brief , Ireland. Jaw-dropping natural landscapes When you think of Ireland, it may conjure up images of green rolling hills, rugged seaside cliffs, and windswept rock formations.

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