My Irish Travel

When people come on vacation, they are usually looking for a way to relax and unwind in some fashion. For many people this means sleeping in, slowing down and taking the time to simply pamper themselves- all the things they don’t get to do at home on a regular basis. However, for others, the things they don’t get to do at home may be a bit more active than a day at the spa! These people relax best when they’re actually doing something; for these people, the best sort of vacation would be hopping in the rental car and driving from one activity to the next, engaging in all the fun, diverting things they don’t have the chance to do at home.

Irish horses are famous the world over for their strength, healthy and beauty. The calcium rich grass of Ireland strengthens young foals, making them desirable all around the world. For this reasons visitors to Ireland will find no shortage of choice when it comes to riding facilities. These range from small hobby farms where a few horses are kept for the benefit of tourists, to large scale operations where visitors can take lessons, children can ride a pony around the yard, or the whole family can ride through the hills, along the shore, or take overnight treks together.

Also popular with visitors is the chance to try cycling. Some visitors like to tour exclusively on their bikes, but many like to hire a rental car with a bicycle rack and do the road-travel by car, and the bicycle travel once they have parked the car at a camp site for the night. Either way you will have the opportunity to really enjoy the sights and sounds of the Irish countryside.

There are many other ways to “Actively relax” in Ireland; anglers will delight in the chance to catch some salmon or trout, boating enthusiasts will have no end of chances to indulge themselves and as for golfers? Ireland, containing thirty percent of the world’s links courses, is a true golfer’s paradise. So pack your bags, visit Ireland, relax, enjoy… and keep busy!

Colm Brady is Director of Business Development for Thrifty Car Rental Ireland and has worked with Thrifty since 2000. Colm is continually developing the companies business through both the traditional and online channels. Among the websites that are currently under the Thrifty Umbrella are: Car Rental Ireland, and Car Hire Ireland.

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It is hard to believe in this day and age that a successful business can be run as a one man or family operation especially if the business in question is the ultra competitive travel industry. Add to the equation that this business is run from home from Ireland’s oldest two storey thatched cottage and it makes the storey all the more fascinating.

Promoting a tourism product or website is a daunting and difficult challenge at the best of times given the vast array of resources and finances available to larger companies. Competing from a home base as a small husband and wife team makes such a challenge even more precarious. However as in life nothing is impossible given sufficient drive, motivation and the necessary passion that inspires.

Ireland is a changing place. It is fast emerging as a top 3 world economy with many large multinationals choosing to located their workforce in Dublin or other Irish cities. The country has also become a haven for foreign visitors eager to catch a little bit of that famous Irish hospitality. Providing guests with what they want is the new challenge facing the Irish tourism market. The days of thatched cottages and friendly service are well and truly gone. Or are they?

Ireland is known as The Emerald Isle or The Land of Saints and Scholars. In truth it is one of the world’s fastest growing economies where time no longer stands still. It is a country with a young vibrant and energetic population eager to be part of the Celtic Tiger as the rapidly growing economy has become known as.

Ireland is divided into 32 counties and 4 provinces-Munster, Ulster, Connaught and Leinster. The country has a population in excess of 5 million inhabitants. Ireland is famed the world over for its music, literature and friendly folk. U2, Yeats, Beckett and Joyce being just some of the more recognisable names.

Ireland boasts a unique culture one that is truly it’s own. While English is the most widely spoken language Gaelic or Irish was the only language spoken until the early 20th century. Gaelic is a fascinating and deeply meaningful language and is still taught widely in all schools today. It is reputed to be one of the hardest three languages in the world to master. Gaelic games such as football and hurling are widely played in Ireland and are a true spectacle to watch. Hurling, played with 15 men on each team and with sticks is the fastest field game in the world. Both games retain amateur status to this day.

Dublin is the capital city and is located in the East of the country on The River Liffey. With a population in excess of 1.25 million Dublin is a lively city with lots to do and see. Home to the famous Guinness beer, Dublin has acquired an International reputation as a great party city. The main landmarks are Grafton Street which is the principle shopping street, O Connell Street-the cities main street and Temple Bar. Temple Bar is the bohemian part of the city full of lively bars, restaurants, nightclubs and art galleries.

Ireland is a real gem and a must see destination for any avid traveller. For those interested in exploring the mystical Isle of Ireland reserving accommodation in advance is always advisable. Car rental should also be booked well in advance and provides a great way to travel at your leisure. Remember that driving in Ireland is on the left hand side of the road!

Dara Ward is Managing Director of Irish Accommodation Guide and operates over 20 Irish Travel websites. He is recognised as an expert on the travel industry in Ireland. Dara operates and lives in Ireland’s oldest 2 storey thatched cottage in Wexford, Ireland. His sites allow guests to book over 9000 properties in Ireland instantly online including all Hotels in Dublin.

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Continuing on from my first article about the 10 things you must see while visiting in Dublin, I am going to cover the second half of the 10 things you must see. Included in this list are St Stephen’s Green, Dublin Castle, the General Post Office, Kilmainham Gaol and No 29 Lower Fitzwilliam Street.

St Stephen’s Green

Situated on the south side of the Liffey and at the top of Grafton Street, St Stephen’s Green is a rectangular park (550m x 450m) which gives welcome relief from the hustle and bustle of city life. Before 1663 the park was a common ground, but in 1664 the park area was enclosed and the land around the park was sold for development. During the 18th Century the area that serves as St Stephen’s Green today was used for public hangings.

Today the park features include an arched entrance from Grafton Street. This Archway is knows as Fusilier’s Arch and was named after the Fusiliers who lost their life during the Second Boer War. The park also features a pond and several gardens.

Dublin Castle

Dublin Castle was home to British rule in Ireland for 800 years, a rule which ended in 1922. Much of the current building dates from the 18th Century although a castle has stood on this site since the 12th Century. Famously Michael Collins infiltrated the castle during the British rule by simply walking in through the front door.

Today the castle is used in mainly a political context and has been used many times for the inauguration of new Presidents of Ireland. The castle is also used for political engagements, and was used extensively during the Irish Presidency of the EU.

General Post Office (GPO)

The GPO as it is referred to by Irish people is the centre piece of O’Connell Street. Built in 1814 the building today serves as the headquarters of An Post, the Irish postal service. The GPO was cemented into Irish history during the Easter Rising of 1916 when it was occupied by Irish rebels and the Proclamation of Independence Read out to the Irish People.

If you look closely when you visit O’Connell Street, you can still see plenty of bullet holes in the walls and statues which date back to this conflict.

Kilmainham Gaol

Kilmainham Gaol was built in 1796, and since then has played an integral part in Irish history and the struggle against British Rule in Ireland. Many of the rebels who rose up against British Rule in Ireland ended up here, including rebels from the United Irish Rebellion of 1796, the Emmet Rebellion of 1803, the Young Ireland Rebellion of 1848, the Fenian Rebellion of 1867 and the Easter Rising of 1916.

It was after the Easter Rising of 1916 that the Gaol served its most important role in the history of Ireland when some of the rebels were executed by the British Army. Reaction to the rebellion in Ireland to that point had been mixed, but the execution of Irish people caused uproar and in the end proved to be a major catalyst that brought about the end of British Rule in Ireland.

The Gaol has been fully restored, and visitors can visit the cells that previously were used to hold the rebels and stand on the spot the stood while they were executed. You can still see marks on the walls dating back to this time. Truly an extraordinary experience.

No 29 Lower Fitzwilliam Street

No 29 Lower Fitzwilliam Street is a fully restored Georgian house sitting in the middle of Georgian Dublin, just off Merion Square. The house is run and operated by the ESB.

Ronan Menton is the webmaster for a number of travel related websites and has been for some time in Ireland, associated with search engine optimisation in the Irish travel industry. He spends two months a year in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and now sees it as his second home. Among the many sites he is currently working on are the following: hotels in Galway and hotels in Cork.

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Ireland is recognized as Europe’s third biggest island. As such, it also has its share of tourists flocking into the country yearly, and why would they not? Ireland has a lot of beautiful places and lots of things to do, and here are some of them.

1.) Dublin sightseeing tour

Nothing is better than having a Dublin city tour, and there are many bus tour companies in the city that cater to tourists. The bus tour will give you a wonderful tour in the city’s tourist spots. The bus tour also stops frequently for visitors to explore the place and take pictures.

2.) Ride the Ghostbus of Dublin

This is also very popular among tourists. Here, you will be taken to the haunted sites of Dublin as a storyteller tells the fascinating story of each place. For those who love Goth culture, this ride is very much recommended.

3.) Get the Zozimus Experience

This is a unique on-foot ghost tour that can only be found in Dublin. Here, you will be toured along Medieval Dublin’s streets by Zozimus, a blind old man, who also tells ghost stories about the area as well as the gruesome murders that took place here. The length of the tour is about one and a half hours.

4.) Visit the Phoenix Park

This is another popular tourist attraction in Dublin. In this park, you can rent a bike as well as necessary accessories like helmets and locks from a bike hire company near the gate’s entrance. This is a fun way to spend the day with your family or loved one as you pedal your bikes around the park.

5.) Visit Dublin’s museums and historical buildings

There are a lot of museums in Dublin. Among the famous ones are the National Museum of Ireland, the National Gallery of Ireland, the Irish Museum of Modern Art, and the Bram Stoker Museum. There is also the Dublin Castle for you to visit as well as the Christ Church Cathedral.

6.) Stroll along Dublin’s botanical gardens and zoo

A visitor to the country should stop by the Dublin Zoo. Here, you will see exotic animals as well as some local animals of Ireland. After a visit to the zoo, you can always stroll in Dublin’s Botanical Gardens and enjoy the variety of flowers and plants here.

7.) Visit the Cork City Gaol

Another popular tourist destination in Ireland is the Cork City. Here, the visitor should definitely visit the Cork City Goal where you will also get a magnificent view of the city. You can get to this place by joining the guided tour of Cork City.

8.) Take the Cork historic walking tour

What better way to get to know Cork City than by touring the area on foot? There are many guided walking tours in the city where you can enjoy the sights as well as get to listen to some of the city’s history. There are lots to see here like the ancient monastery, the Viking village, medieval streets, the walled city, etc.

9.) Experience Galway’s festivals

This city holds festivals yearly that are worth a visit. The best time to visit Galway is during the summer where the festivals are lively and full of music, foods, wines, dancing. etc. One of the popular festivals is the Galway Oyster Festival.

10.) Take a trip to Kilkenny

This place is a must-see for any tourist because of the many medieval buildings that it has. You will also see here the popular Kilkenny Castle as well as the St. Canices Cathedral and Round Tower. You should also visit the Rothe House Museum as well as walk along the “Slips” to reach the city’s shops.

Jonathan Williams is the travel writer for Destination Guide TV - the place to share travel videos Visit http://www.destinationguide.tv/ireland to view or share Ireland travel videos

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Ireland’s Relevant Information

Ireland’s total area measurement is 84,412 km squared plus a total coastline distance of 3,172 km. This country is home to the warm and amiable race: the Irish. This land is bounded with centuries aged culture and tradition which defines its society and people. The Irish people have high regards for music, literature, dance and sports. This is still evident as of today through the traditional Irish fares and events that commemorate and relive the famed days of these forms of art.

What Makes Ireland Special

Ireland is a country endowed with the most splendid and exquisite features that make up its tourism appeal. Its counties – Dublin being the capital – have their own and unique enticements worth discovering. Travel to Ireland is never a waste of time or a plunder of resources since this country is full of charming places to visit and sights to see. Each of this scenery has its own story to tell and mystery to share.

Ireland is dubbed as the Emerald Isle due to its greenest scenery and stunning sights. This land has stood as mighty as before even after its own survival struggle centuries ago. It has maintained its own wealth of resources and display them proudly today for tourists to marvel and experience.

Tourist Attractions in Ireland

There are numerous sites and spots to visit in Ireland. All these setting are of superb quality and tourists just fall deeply in love with them. Aside from these, plenty of activities await the tourists here. These activities all spell thrill and fun – from a relaxing walk to the finest landscapes and coastal areas to an equally soothing cycling tour around the most picturesque setting; from a mind motivating golf game to a spine thrilling water adventure and from a tranquil canoeing to an exciting fishing. Tourists can indulge in as many activities as they like. Sky is the limit here – indeed, this is the place to go beyond what others have set as boundaries for travel fun.

Getting to Ireland is made easy with the number of air and sea travels. Several networks have been operating making it easy for tourists to reach this land of contrast – as what others have described it. Tourists have the option to contact some travel agents around the area of his location to arrange travel concerns.

Much more convenient are the excellent accommodations scattered all over the country. Tourists should erase their concern of where to stay in Ireland for this country has a number of “home away from home” hotels. These hotels have met the standards and criteria to suit the most discerning need of a traveler. Each county in Ireland has their own unique and elegant array of hotels to pick from.

Open the doors of Ireland’s paradise. The key is in your hands. Travel to Ireland and the rest will be history.

Hotels in Ireland is the comprehensive guide to hotels in Dublin, Galway, Cork and all throughout Ireland. With useful travel tips and relevant tourism information about Ireland. For more related information and for all your hotel booking needs, please visit Hotels in Ireland.

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Ireland is the third largest island in Europe. It lies between the Atlantic Ocean and the Irish Sea. A ring of coastal mountains and plains filled with lush vegetation make it a much sought after tourist destination.

Varied options for Ireland travel tours are available for the avid tourist. Those with an adventurous bent will find flexible self-driving vacation packages to be a great way of seeing Ireland. Those who prefer things to be arranged for them will find escorted bus tours to be a good option. Those who have a time constraint can use the well connected airline services to reach various destinations in Ireland.

Ireland travel tours are very popular for their theme-based feature. On this basis, the various Ireland travel tour options available are Ryder Cup, for the golfing enthusiast; banqueting, breweries and distilleries; bus, train and coach tours; cycling and walking tours; and, literary, language, and painting tours.

Golf vacation packages like the Ryder Cup vacations are a much sought after option. Reservations must be made ahead of season due to its popularity. Bunratty Castle medieval banquet, Dunguaire Castle medieval banquet, and the banquet at the Knappogue Castle are the choices available to those who wish to take a peek into the lavish hospitality of the days gone by. This kind of a travel tour is unique to Ireland.

Tourists with a taste for good living might appreciate Ireland’s brewing and distillery tours. Trips to destinations like the Guinness Storehouse and the Old Jameson Distillery turn out to be very informative and entertaining.

A three or six day bus tour through the flat central plains of Ireland is a wonderful way to take in the breathtaking sights. One can opt for a seven day package that will include destinations like Dublin, Killarney, Dingle Peninsula, Galway, Derry, and Belfast. A North Coast tour takes one through the National Botanical Gardens, the Casino at Marino, and the stately Malahide Castle.

Ireland has its fair share of chilly ghost legends. If so inclined, one can take the ghost bus tour to places reputed for ghost sightings.

The number of Ireland travel tour options available justifies multiple visits to Ireland with each trip being different from the other.

Ireland Travel provides detailed information on Ireland Travel, Ireland Budget Travel, Ireland Travel Deals, Ireland Travel Packages and more. Ireland Travel is affiliated with Very Last Minute Travel Deals.

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