Take a trip to Ireland, and you will soon feel that you are amongst friends. The island of Ireland is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the South and the Irish Sea to the East which separates it from Great Britain. Northern Ireland occupies the North East of the Ireland and is part of the United Kingdom. The Republic of Ireland occupies the remainder of the island. The island itself has a central plain which is surrounded by mountains and hills offering protection to the quiet sandy beaches. The beaches are in semi-tropical bays warmed by the Gulf Stream.
You will remember Ireland for two things; its scenery and its people. The Irish people are friendly and easy going, always ready for a chat and they possess a fine sense of humour. A visit to an Irish pub is highly recommended if you wish to meet and engage with the locals.
Ireland is a country rich in countryside and if you enjoy outdoor pursuits, you will find plenty to do in Ireland. There are thirty one designated walking paths. The most famous of these is the Wicklow way which runs from Dublin, the capital to County Carlow. Fishing is one of the major attractions in Ireland. There are some excellent sites for free coarse fishing, and most of the best fishing is to be found in the Shannon and Erne rivers. Irish people are very fond of horses and this is reflected in the many horse riding centres. Horse racing at Leopardstown, the Curragh and Punchestown are all worth a visit on race day. You may also want to travel the beautiful Ring of Kerry, a 112 mile scenic drive around the Iveragh Peninsula
Well worth trying is a visit to the Guinness Stonehouse brewery, where you will get to see how one of world`s favourite drinks is produced, and it is well worth a trip to the Temple Bar, the cultural quarter of Dublin to sample some of the product in lively surroundings.
In the heart of Dublin is the Trinity College with its Elizabethan elegance which has seen the likes of Oscar Wilde, Samuel Beckett and Bram Stoker pass through its doors. Kilmainham Gaol played a major part in the history of Ireland and this is where the leaders of the 1916 Easter uprising were imprisoned and eventually executed. The gaol is a fascinating place to discover what life was like for some of the inmates at the turn of the century. If archaeology is one of your interests, then take a trip to the Neolithic Burial sites at Bru na Boinne which include Newgrange, a five thousand year old chambered tomb.
If you are looking for great Irish entertainment; take a journey to County Clare, and find some of the finest pubs in the country, and you can get your dancing shoes on with some of the finest examples of Irish music. Ireland has a rich collection of castles, amongst them, Blarney Castle in County Cork; Ashford in County Galway and Dromoland in County Clare. Take a trip to Kilkenny, a mediaeval city famous for its pubs and nightlife.
One thing is for certain. You will have a warm welcoming time in Ireland. There are lots of things to see and do, and it explains why people go back again and again. For more on where to stay in Ireland, go to self catering accommodation.