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Writer's pictureLeonardo Del Toro

Amazing Ireland vacation spots. My First Impressions of Ireland — Part 1

My visit to Ireland vacation spots was beyond the pale


Doolin Ireland

I wish American life would be more like living in Ireland. There are people walking around talking loudly with each other. They are having fun and looking genuinely happy. Friendly and welcoming folks with a sense of innocence I have not seen in a while. And people are helpful.


Going to Ireland made me realize I knew nothing about it other than some American stereotypes and Irish music I love. I decided to remain naive or simply have no expectations at all. My self-inflicted ignorance paid off beautifully as Ireland vacation spots surprised my soul.


The first stop was Dublin. Out of the plane through an airstair on an island set the tone. Soon I realized there was something even better. What? No one is wearing masks. Man, that felt nice, like going back to life before everything went to shit. That’s how it felt to be in Ireland.

Our first room was numbered #208. My childhood home, where I was raised. Interesting. I read that as a welcoming sign: you are home. And the rest of the trip confirmed that I was right.


If you’re an English speaker, you are also at home. The Irish accent is no barrier as I could understand and be understood by everyone. Everyone on the island speaks English, and Thirty-nine percent can speak the Irish language.

Going for our first walk, I can see Dublin is as real as it gets. There is some trash in the streets, and people show the markings of real life. There is a pub on every corner — this is a drinking town.


Yet the vibe is not one of depression and addiction. More like a 24/7 good party going on. Not only the tourists but the locals too. Tons of young people in their twenties. It was Monday, and it looked like Friday. Then I thought to myself, what should Friday look like?

Traffic is intense, and many cars; all drive on the wrong side of the street. But the real problem is not driving but crossing the streets, as our brain is hardwired to look to the right. There are warning signs everywhere: Look to the left!


It just felt great to be walking around Dublin all day. We soon find ourselves walking into a pub. We dropped right into Cobblestone, (A drinking pub with a music problem), simply one of the best pubs in town. This is when I truly arrived in Ireland.


Cobblestone Pub in Dublin Ireland

Holding a pint of the best beers in the world and talking to locals, I realized how much I missed this kind of family and friendly atmosphere. A wave of joy and longing surrounded me. The Irish magic has begun. It’s funny how we forget what magic is until we see it again. There were plenty of these moments in Ireland.


And while we’re at it, don’t forget The Black Sheep pub, a great bar with great food and beer. The Brazen Head pub, is an obligatory stop, claiming to be Ireland's oldest pub. Est. in 1198! Don’t miss the Mc Gilles pub for great music on Friday night. And then, for the most fabulous atmosphere and the best whiskeys, check out The Whiskey Palace Dublin. And for something different. Just an old neighborhood, old fashion, local folks, and no tourists; visit The Grave Diggers Pub.


A local guy named John at the pub let me know Dublin is having a hard time with rental prices and property availability in general. He said this was due to an avalanche of millennials, particularly from the United States, looking for opportunities in the tech industry. This is a big problem here in Dublin, he said. And there are other problems too.

And the Irish are no strangers to struggle and hardship.

The long history of violence and fighting in Ireland is the history of Irish resistance to English oppression. From the time of the Normans, the Irish refused to accept rule by England and fought to regain their freedom. As Britain became a powerful and modern nation, its grip on Ireland grew. After the English revolution brought Cromwell and his parliamentary forces to power, he sent armies to crush resistance in Ireland with extreme brutality. In whole areas, the Irish population was exterminated or forced to flee, and Scottish or English protestant colonies were established. In spite of all the power and ruthlessness of British rule, the Irish continued to resist. Source: (Encyclopedia of Anti-Revisionism On-Line)

The Irish spirit includes a history of fighting, oppression, and the loss of family and friends, constantly leaving the island seeking a better life. But the Irish continued to resist.

And the resistance spirit is present today as one can feel the unique characteristics of the Irish people. They empathize with the hardship of others and welcome and appreciate anyone interested in their culture. And it doesn’t take long for you to notice that.


A country that fought for its independence and centuries of English oppression. Ireland set itself free in 1922. And now strides towards rescuing its ancient rich past and true Irish identity. The government promotes the Irish language and traditional culture. We see every public sign having both languages — and I mean, every sign.

Beyond the pale By the 14th century, the Norman invasion of Ireland was struggling. Too many Normans had “gone native.” The remaining settlers had retreated to just four eastern counties: Louth, Meath, Dublin, and Kildare. These four “obedient shires” were the only part of Ireland still under the control of the English crown. The king’s perimeter was marked with wooden fence posts pounded into the Irish turf. These were called “pales,” from the Latin palus, meaning “stake.” If you went beyond the pale was considered highly unsafe, and the English did not guarantee your safety. (Condé Nast Traveler)

Walking through the streets of Dublin, you notice public service offices everywhere. They look like storefronts with names such as “Hope for the homeless” or “Home of the blind.” Ireland is a socialized country. Everyone ordinarily resident in Ireland and specific visitors to Ireland are entitled to a range of public health services either free of charge or at a reduced cost. (Citizens Information)


A health support center in kork Ireland

Dublin has moderate to heavy tourism, but not overwhelming like other European destinations. Walking around Dublin is in itself a fantastic experience. There are endless pleasure ghettos—entire streets filled with pubs, restaurants, and young people having fun. When you think you have seen it all, there is another one, and then another.


Peter's Pub Dublin Ireland

Dublin is the capital of Ireland, with a population of 1,256,000 inhabitants, roughly 1/3 of Ireland’s entire population of 5,056,326 inhabitants. And the magic of Ireland is somewhat linked to these numbers. In my view.

The island of Ireland is about the size of the State of Indiana (U.S.). Indiana is 35,910 square miles in area. The population of the island of Ireland is about 5.5 million (Republic of Ireland — 3.84 million, Northern Ireland — 1.7 million). The population of Indiana is about 6 million.(Ireland History in Maps)

Ireland’s stability has a lot to do with being a small country and with a small population. Ireland is an example of how small countries are easier to govern and manage. In contrast, the monumental size of the United States and its social divisions demonstrate that large-sized countries may not be the best arrangement for anyone.


 


Let’s go over some main tourist attractions and visit our Ireland vacation spots everyone should see; even though there are a lot of tourists, but manageable for the most part. Don’t miss St. Patrick’s cathedral and Dublin’s beautiful parks, such as Merrion Square Park, near Trinity College, one of the oldest campuses in Europe, and keepers of the book of Kells, one of the most important documents in Irish history.


St. Patrick’s cathedral in Dublin


Visit the archeological sites in Ireland. Near Dublin, do yourself a favor and purchase a guided tour of Newgrange and Knowth. This was one of my favorite Ireland vacation spots.


If you get tired of the city, take a 15min. Train ride to Howth, a beach town with scenic views and hikes, and feast in one of the best seafood restaurants. King Sitric.


Howth Ireland


map of Northern Ireland



We hop on the train for a two-hour-and-a-half trip to Belfast. Come along with me…To part 2

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