Plan an Epic Irish Trip with these lifetime experiences!
Ireland* was my introduction to Europe in 2014 and little did I know it’ll also start my never ending obsession with this continent. I’ve been travelling to Europe every year since then and there’s still so much unticked on my bucket list. It was an unconventional choice for my honeymoon since back then, Europe was still a second choice after Thailand, Bali, Maldives etc. for Indian honeymooners. And a quintessential European honeymoon consisted of either a whirlwind tour of at least 5-6 countries or a relaxed time in Switzerland inspired by many Bollywood movies.
I chose Ireland because I simply loved what I saw during my research- YouTube videos, P.S. I Love You scenes, and Google images. It also sounded incredibly adventurous to go somewhere so far and rather unexplored by Indians. My planning phase also included a few trips to the tour operators and I soon realised how ill equipped they are to advise anyone on planning trips since they themselves haven’t gone to that place! Shockingly I couldn’t find a lot of content on the Internet, certainly Instagram and travel blogging wasn’t so commonplace then and hence, I relied mostly on Lonely Planet. I wouldn’t say it was the most well planned trip I ever took; there were so many rookie mistakes I made that I now look back and nearly cringe at my stupidity!
I may have made faux pas related to packing or planning, but I still swore by the places I visited and the experience I had in this country.
And here’s my trusted list of 10 top experiences you MUST have on your perfect Irish trip!
1. The Cliffs of Moher- Located in County Clare on the west coast of Ireland, these majestic Cliffs, 702 feet above sea level, offer some of the most stunning scenery in Ireland. This was also the filming location of a few scenes in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009), and Leap Year (2010). It is quite a walk to reach to the designated viewing areas slightly away from the edges; wear comfortable non-slippery shoes. Remember to carry an umbrella and a windcheater jacket as the west coast of Ireland is very windy and the weather is unpredictable. On a clear day with plenty of sunshine, admire the breathtaking jagged coastline and if you’re really fortunate, you can also see puffins up close and personal between May-June. Even on foggy days, a trip here won’t disappoint you. Allow around 2-3 hours for your visit.
2. Stay in a Castle- Even if you’re a budget traveller, keep aside at least a night to experience royalty in a castle. I stayed at the Ballynahinch Castle in Connemara (County Galway) during my honeymoon which is also one of the top rated castles in Ireland. The off-the-beaten path location and 450 acres of woodland adds an element of adventure and mystery to the experience. Savour the luxurious decor, superb hospitality and delicious food at these castles; you’ll never regret a single penny you spent. Some of these castles like the Ballyseede Castle, Kinnitty Castle etc. are even haunted which is weirdly a selling point among tourists!
3. Pub Crawl in Dublin- With approx. 750 pubs, deciding where to spend your evening in Dublin is surely a head spinner. Don’t miss the iconic Temple Bar which is the world famous watering hole serving a wide range of ales and spirits with traditional live Irish music sessions. Even if you’re a teetotaller, you still will have a great time just enjoying the lively vibe. Around the Temple Bar there are many similar and vintage pubs like Farringtons, Hard Rock Cafe, Quays etc. that you can check out. Another avenue of amusement is the large number of boys and girls celebrating their bachelor/ bachelorette parties in animated ways!
4. The Ring of Kerry- This 190 km long is a circular driving route in County Kerry starting from Killarney and follows the coastal contours of Kerry’s Iveragh Peninsula. It is generally advised to drive clockwise as the tour buses drive counterclockwise, thereby avoiding getting stuck behind them, since the roads are narrow. Though in this case, there is a driving risk of passing the buses esp. at sharp turns. The entire route can be done in a single day provided you start early like by 8/9 am. The entire route is dotted with breathtaking lush mountainous AND coastline scenery, cute villages and sparkling lakes. Highlights are - Ross Castle, Killarney National park, Skellig Michael, the Gap of Dunloe, Valentia Island etc.
5. Valentia Island- This island is a must-visit while you’re driving along the Ring of Kerry. It is best accessed via a 10 minute ferry trip (your car too can be transported via the ferry) from Renard. The island itself consists of two small villages Knightstown & Chapel town. The most striking sight seen from the island is the clear bright blue sea and the rugged coastline. Don't forget to enjoy a scoop of ice cream at the Valentia Island Farmhouse Ice Cream corner.
6. Dingle Peninsula- This makes for another great road trip circuit which is smaller and less popular than the Ring of Kerry, which means far less crowded. I did both in shoulder season (April) and hardly found any crowds. Make a pit stop at the Inch Beach; it has a long neat stretch and is a delight to spend an hour or so.
Inch beach
7. Connemara National Park- Located in County Galway, this is one of the 6 national parks in Ireland with 7,000 acres of expansive bogs and heaths. The most popular walk inside Connemara National Park is the hike to the top of Diamond Hill. This is my most favourite region in Ireland with bright hues of spring colours spread across, dotted with pretty lakes. The Ballynahinch Castle mentioned above is situated very near this park.
8. Stay in a small village- The villages offer the truest Irish way of life in the cutest possible way. Spend at least a night in one of the various hamlets and admire the slow and relaxed pace of life. I stayed a night in Adare in County Limerick, which is known to be the prettiest village in Ireland. Take a stroll in the streets and enjoy looking at the brightly painted buildings, thatched roof houses, and green spaces around this heritage village.
9. Trinity College & the Library- The 213 ft long room in the Old Library is a popular picture you must’ve seen on Instagram. Founded in 1592 and housing around 6 million books, this library surely qualifies as one of the most beautiful libraries in the world. Even the college campus is worth visiting with sprawling gardens and pretty buildings.
10. Dublin’s Lively Streets & Parks- Dublin is full of cool streets with trendy cafes and stores, like Grafton street, Drury Street, etc. Even if you hate shopping, you’ll find various artists performing along the streets- a perfect way to spend your evenings. Dublin also has many green spaces like the Phoenix park, Iveagh Gardens and the Grand canal dock which are lovely picnic spots.
Grafton Street
Phoenix Park
*Geopolitically, Ireland is divided between the Republic of Ireland (officially named Ireland) and Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom.
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