Ireland??

[Momof4]

I've made two trips to Ireland and it is the most beautiful place you can imagine. In the Republic they use Euros and in Northern Ireland they use the British pound. We took a tour around Belfast and the old guy who had lived there all his life told us the most amazing stories. But it is being rebuilt and is peaceful now. The Giant's Causeway on the Atlantic on the northern coast is a must see. I could stay there just walking around for days.

In Dublin you can take the hop on hop off bus and a narrator gives you a lot of info so you can stop at the places that interest you most. The library at Trinity College, the tour of Dublin Castle and the long, long walk around St. Patrick's cathedral were wonderful. Of course, you can tour the Guinness Factory and do eat the Irish Stew in Arthur's Pub at the top of the tower. It was the absolute best thing I've eaten in my life.

My favourite part of Ireland is the west coast though, with the Cliffs of Moher being the most peaceful, beautiful place to view. Killarney is a cultural city and loads of fun. Take a jaunting car ride (horse & buggy) through Killarney National Park to Ross Castle. Dingle is my favourite small town and the Dingle Peninsula is absolutely gorgeous. The Ring of Kerry runs for 100 km and is worth the drive.

Of course there is Blarney Castle, but my favourite part were the gardens and forest outside, even the Poison Garden, lol. I would recommend that you look up CIE Tours. I went with them on both of my trips. I don't know if you are driving or not, but you can get highlights and ideas just by looking over their trips and all the places they stop as tourist attractions. Also, the hotels they use are top notch. I have friends who go to Ireland often and they always stay at bed and breakfasts because they drive and they love getting the real stories from the real Irish.

Do not try to make jokes about shamrocks or leprachauns or make fun of their culture. They won't like that! Actually, they believe strongly in the fairies! Be prepared to eat a lot of potatoes. Well, those are the highlights, haha.