Archive for the ‘Ireland Holidays’ Category
Dublin Sightseeing
Spend a couple of nights in one of Europe’s most famous capital cities and you will be suitably impressed.
Over a couple of days, you can see a wealth of local attractions, sample the local culture, and naturally , relax over a pint of Guinness. With budget airlines like RyanAir and Aer Lingus still growing, a short city-break to the emerald city can often be less than a meal at a good restaurant.
Dublin’s most central and perhaps famous area is Temple Bar, situated on the south side of the River Liffey, which meanders through the centre of the city. This is the most tourist-oriented section of Dublin, with a notable charm, the cobblestone roads, still in their original medieval design, sweep visitors by ancient stone and brick buildings.
Cafés, pubs, and restaurants are everywhere, and the handy location makes a stroll through this area a priority for any visitor. Temple Bar is also the centre of Dublin’s nightlife, so expect it to be full of hustle and bustle, especially in the small hours.
Ireland’s Christian heritage is renowned, and its most famous churches are also worth visiting. You might begin with Christ Church Cathedral, the seat of the Anglican Archbishop of Ireland. Sections of the building date back to the 11th century, although it has underwent a number of renovations, and restorations in latter years. Also worth visiting is the recently revamped crypt, which is the biggest of any cathedral in the British Isles.
Dublin’s other medieval cathedral is the Roman Catholic St. Patrick’s Cathedral, which also operates as Ireland’s National Cathedral and is the country’s largest church. Everyone will surely appreciate the culture and history in both cathedrals.
If you prefer a pint of beer to communion wine, then you must visit the Guinness factory, home of the famous beer. There are seven levels of activities and exhibits, finishing in a complimentary pint of Guiness in the top-floor Bar, which also has a panoramic view of Dublin.
There are lots more attractions in Dublin, especially in the city centre. Trinity College Library has on show the Book of Kells, a 9th century manuscript compiled by Celtic monks. .
Grafton Street is a busy shopping area renowned for its raft of shops and cafés. On one side of the River Liffey is the famous Abbey Theatre, and here you will find lots more shops and cafés.
These Dublin attractions are all within walking distance of each other. Actually one advantage of Dublin is its compact city centre. The whole of the centre is well serve
Visiting Northern Ireland
If you are visitng Ireland, you should also seriously consider visiting Northern Ireland. Although technically part of the UK, it has a life of its own and is also steeped in rich history and tradition. You can be up over the Irish border on no time at all and will find a wonderful diversity of places to visit and things to do.
This beautiful little country is now climbing, slowly but surely, out of the misery of its bitter war-torn past. In place of bombed out buildings, now stand wonderful examples of new architecture in the capital city of Belfast. A whole new skyline has developed over the past 3 or 4 years, turning Belfast into a fine example of a modern city. Exciting new restaurants and bars seem to spring up every month in this new and vibrant city. Fantastic new venues have been built along the river Lagan in Belfast, such as the Waterfront Hall and the Odyssey Centre – a multifunction entertainment and educational centre which is a landmark for this developing city.
Belfast was always a poor relation to Dublin when it came to nightlife and a place for tourists to visit. However it is progressively catching up as a location for revellers and people looking for somewhere to spend an active weekend, in the trendy clubs and bars which inhabit the city.
Belfast is not alone in seeing its popularity rise – the whole of Northern Ireland is seeing a dramatic increase in visiting tourists from a ll over the world. A drive along the wonderful Antrim coastline, with its marvelous views over the Irish sea, never ceases to impress. The intriguing and mysterious Giants Causeway is also a must-see if visiting Northern Ireland.
Northern Ireland is a land of surprisingly few people. There are only approximately 1.5 million people in this small country. Flying into Northern Ireland on a clear day, you can look down on a vast patchwork of green fields – you would be forgiven for thinking that no-one lives here at all. But any visitors can be sure of a friendly welcome. The hospitality of the Irish and of course the Northern Irish, is legendary. Very few people come away from their first visit to Northern Ireland without being bowled over by just how friendly and helpful the locals are.
So make no mistake, if you’re looking for a new destination to visit or a fun-filled weekend, then look no further than Northern Ireland, a location which has successfully turned itself around from a place to avoid, to a place which leaves a wonderful lasting impression on its visitors!