I am freshly back from a week of many family get togethers in the Midwest. After each party with the Irish side of my family and my fiancé's, I was continually reminded that I am soon going to become a Duffy – meaning my lovely full German name is going to become half German and half Irish. This is not a bad thing as my mother’s family is Irish. Flavin is her maiden name and my grandfather was 100% Irish, so it is not a huge stretch for me take an Irish name. I am actually excited to become a Duffy, not only because I love my fiancé but because I love Ireland. So with my future last name of Irish descent and Ireland popping up in books and movies I have been reading and watching lately (Marley and Me, PS I Love You), it seemed appropriate to kick-off the New Year with a look at my favorite country. Let’s hope we all have a little luck of the Irish in 2009.
If you have not been to Ireland, please put it on your list of must see places. It is hands down the most beautiful and magical place I have ever seen. You can do so much in this green isle, from sightseeing to walking, shopping and eating or just chilling out in the local pub. What is so wonderful about Ireland is the people and the culture that abounds here. From the minute you arrive here you are transported to another time and place where you feel immediately at home and welcomed. While there is so much to do and see, I thought I would take you on a little tour of some my favorite things to do here. A few things to remember – the best time to go to Ireland is in July or August where the temperatures are mild and sometimes warm. Winter can be quite cold and even June requires a warm sweater…make sure you bring weather resistant clothing and/or plan on buying one of the wonderful Irish wool sweaters you can find throughout the country. And make sure you to bring along a camera to capture the breathtaking countryside.
Ireland is made up of several counties - all of which have their own personality and sights to see. I
recommend starting in Dublin where you can walk the city, enjoy some great cuisine, visit the Guinness Brewery, shop and spend your evening with a fun pub crawl. What makes the pub crawls unique in Dublin is that you are following an Irish band around several different bars where you will experience different types of music, people and Irish Beer. After a few days in Dublin, head to Northern Ireland to County Antrim where you will can visit the very hip and trendy city of Belfast as well as the awe-inspiring Giants Causeway - a natural phenomenon that was formed over 60 million years ago from volcanic activity and which forms a walkway into the Ocean.
After some time up North, head South to County Roscommon (ironically, where my mother’s family is from) to relax amongst the lakes of the county and visit Roscommon Castle. On your way further Southwest stop in County Galway for some beautiful beaches and wonderful scallop dinners, County Clare for the Cliffs of Moher, and County Kerry for all that the magnificent Irish outdoors has to offer including the lakes of Killarney, the Ring of Kerry (stop in for the best Irish Coffee) and the Gap of Dunloe. As you make your way around the Southern tip of the Country, stop in County Cork for some of the best Seafood you will ever have and a visit to Kinsale where the Titanic made its last stop. On your way back to Dublin (or you can fly in and out of Shannon), stop in Waterford for some genuine Irish Crystal. Go for two weeks and enjoy it for a lifetime. There is so much more to do in Ireland, the best way to enjoy it is to just explore it!
- Monica Rohleder
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