From north to south, the Republic of Ireland (and Northern Ireland) is a treasure trove of pastoral scenic delights. Its meadows, stone walls, babbling brooks, and winding roads make it a wonderland of leisure travel. At every bend one finds a picturesque pocket of trees, a flock of sheep, and a village with a welcoming roadside pub.
It is the kind of quaint, friendly, unassuming place we could hang our hat.
Ok, let’s start in the north.
Not far from the little town of Bushmills, where the ‘oldest whiskey distillery in the world’ makes some of the finest spirits, a fascinating natural phenomena spreads its geometric beauty across the coastline. It is The Giant’s Causeway.
It’s hexagonal columns, interlocking perfectly and rising vertically, is a wondrous example of how strangely beautiful nature can be.
Whether it’s explained through a scientific breakdown involving molten basalt (and the horizontal contraction of cooling lava) or through a legend about Fionn MacCool and battling giants, it is definitely worth the visit, as it seems almost ‘otherworldly’.
Now for the whiskey.
Take a couple hours and tour the Old Bushmills Distillery. The tour is inexpensive and very interesting, providing an in-depth look at how Irish whiskey has been carefully made at the site since the 1600’s.
This goes without saying but, after the tour, be sure to relax by the copper stills and enjoy a dram. It’s certain to warm you.
Then set out to the beautiful and romantic ruin of Dunluce Castle, perched dramatically (and somewhat precariously) on the seaside cliff.
Obviously nobody has yet fallen to their death, so a visitor’s ticket allows you to cross the narrow bridge and explore the entire grounds unaccompanied. We found it enchanting.
And on your way to the northern coast (or back to the south), be sure to pass through the Dark Hedges, an avenue of enormous beech trees that line the roadside between Armoy and Stranocum.
You will, no doubt, have to park your car and walk the lane, which is actually a good thing, as it gives you a better opportunity to catch a glimpse of the ‘Grey Lady’—the ghost of the landowner’s daughter who is said to “flit here and there from tree to tree”.
Creepy as hell. And yet, so beautiful at the same time.
Then there’s the archaeological site of Brú na Bóinne, an absolute “do not miss” for the history buff and general lover of all things cool. This prehistoric site (built over 5000 years ago) predates Stonehenge and The Great Pyramids of Giza, and is made up of three enormous burial mounds (Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth) at the bend in the River Boyne (only 45 km north of Dublin).
These incredible funerary monuments, and the megalithic art they contain, are a testament to the ingenuity of the ancient cultures who lived in the area pre any surviving historic record.
And if prehistoric culture and megalithic art isn’t enough, there’s always the thrill of going INSIDE—squeezing your way through a stone tunnel that ends in a burial chamber at the center of the mound—knowing that you are standing in a human-made structure that is older than… anything you can think of.
It’s a feeling impossible to replicate.
Then we decided to head south…
And found ourselves at the Rock of Cashel, whereupon several Romanesque and Gothic buildings still stand tall, each paying homage to the rich medieval history of Ireland.
Then, we continued further south to Blarney Castle.
Touristy, yes, but how do you go to southern Ireland and not kiss the Blarney Stone? I mean, seriously?
So we did it. And waited for the gift of eloquence to take effect.
*Brief aside: If you do not remove your hat (as instructed) while hanging upside down, it may fall 90 feet to the ground below, forcing you to quickly descend a great deal of stairs to recover said hat before its likely and eventual evaporation.
Lesson learned.
There really is no end to the beauty, the charm, and the haunting magic of this island. We were in love with every bit of it.
And lastly, to the city of Dublin.
Almost half the population of the Republic of Ireland lives in Dublin, the thriving industrial capitol of the nation. It’s not a huge city but, at nearly 2 million people, it has an open door to whatever you’re looking for, and boasts a rich history spanning centuries.
It feels vibrant and full of energy.
And there’s no better town to pull up a stool and enjoy a pint or two of ‘the bishop’s collar’.
