Ireland is a natural beauty and a must-see when traveling to Europe. Ireland is its own island next to the United Kingdom. Driving through the countryside, seeing the open green farmland with animals and very few houses are incredible. After being to Ireland twice now, I have been able to experience both the city and the countryside of such a beautiful country.
The capital city of Dublin does not disappoint. The nightlife is active from shopping to restaurants. While in Dublin, must-sees for those who enjoy a good drink are the Guinness Storehouse, The Old Jameson Distillery, and the famous Temple Bar. For those not into drinking, the Trinity Library and the Book of Kells is the next best place to be. Walking through the museum, learning the history of the book, and then seeing it is beyond belief.
Following the exploration of city life, it is time to travel to the Irish countryside. Every turn you take there is either a farm or castle surrounded by acres of gorgeous green land. The Cliffs of Moher are 120-meter cliffs that rise from the Atlantic ocean and what a sight it is. They can be seen via land or boat, both incredible, although I do not recommend a boat if you have trouble with motion sickness because the water is rough. Another great place is the Ring of Kerry. This is a scenic drive around the Iveragh Peninsula. The best part of Ireland is all of its untouched beauty. After taking in the breathtaking views of the shoreline, the last must-see is Blarney Castle in Cork. This castle is home to the blarney stone which, according to legend, kissing the stone will give the kisser the gift of gab. To kiss the stone, one must lay backward and hang off the side of the castle; don’t worry it is completely safe and definitely worth it. Ireland’s charming city and countryside make for an incredible journey to take alone, with friends, or with family.