We were on the phone with friends this week, helping them plan a trip to Ireland. It brought us back to our trip to Dublin last year for our anniversary and the group I brought there several years ago.
The reason I first wanted to visit Ireland was a book “Round Ireland with a Fridge.” The book is laugh out loud funny and tells the tale of an Englishman who is challenged to a drunken bet in which he professed that the people of Ireland were so nice, that he could hitchhike the circumference of Ireland with a fridge in tow.
Needless to say, I found the author’s assessment to be correct. On my first trip to Ireland, I discovered that the Irish people are one of a kind. They are refreshingly honest, and talk about all of the things that you’re told as an American never to talk about: Religion, Politics and Appearances. But they make the conversation fun and exciting, which often leads to a healthy debate. The people were genuine and kind and even though I had grand plans to see the countryside, I quickly realized that my friends and I never left Dublin.
After the same experience on multiple trips, I finally forced myself to step outside of the city when Tim came with me. I’m so glad we did and here are our overall tips:
• Tour Dublin city: a stop at Trinity College to see the Book of Kells is a must.
• Take the hop on, hop off bus: we normally recommend this depending on the city, and Dublin is no different. It’s the easiest way to see all of the top sights in Dublin.
• Stop at the Guinness Factory: even if you don’t drink beer, the Guinness Factory is filled with advertising history and a really unique look at how beer in made. Also, the Guinness in Ireland tastes like no where else on the planet. If you drink a rich, creamy Guinness it in Ireland, you’ll never drink it in the states again. 
• Don’t schedule a tour every day: – Irish pubs are legendary for their energy regardless of whether it’s day or night. You’ll want some time to recover in between.
• Ring of Kerry – One of the most popular day trips in Ireland features Panoramic views of rivers and streams, peaceful lakes and stopovers at a multiple of historical sights and landscapes.
• Visit Blarney castle and the gardens – Legend says that kissing the stone provides the kisser with the gift of gab/eloquence or flattery. The stone was set into a tower of the castle in 1446. The popular tourist site features more than just the stone as there are also picturesque gardens and majestic wildlife.
• Cliffs of Moher – We we’re lucky to get sone sun at the Cliffs, but by the time we walked from one side to the small castle, it was pouring. With over one million visitors, the Cliffs of Moher is a site to behold, offering a perspective of the cliffs peeking over the sea. But don’t forget your umbrella.
L & T
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