Top Five Surprises About Ireland

Top of the mornin' to ya! Or afternoon, or maybe even evening, depending on when you are reading this. ;) Taking a quick break in sharing tidbits about Italy to talk about my trip to Ireland back in the fall. In October, I embarked on quite a big family adventure with my Mom's 3 siblings and a few of my cousins to explore a vast amount of the southern part of Ireland. Over the course of 8 days, our journey took us from Dublin to Galway and back again. I was excited for our trip because I had a feeling that Ireland was going to be very different from any other place I have ever visited and I was correct in that guess!

Before I share a recap of my full trip, I wanted to share my top five surprises about Ireland. From lush green landscapes to scrumptious snacks, Ireland was a special place to visit and full of a few surprises.

I'd love to hear if you have been to Ireland and what, if anything, surprised you about your trip to the Emerald Isle.

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  Cliffs of Moher

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  Connemara

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  Ring Of Kerry

The Landscapes

My gosh, Ireland is SO lush and green! Most of our trip was spent on a small, private bus allowing us to really soak in the beauty of Ireland's diverse terrain. While so much of southern Ireland is rolling green hills, there's a wealth of other landscapes to discover. I was surprised to find volcanic rock formations, coastal cliffs, lakes, fjords and so much more!

I couldn't get enough of the variety of landscapes and always looked forward to what types of vistas we would see each day. Choosing a favorite view is a tough call between the majestic Cliffs of Moher and the serene lakes in Connemara. An extra layer of charm to the already enchanting scenery was the abundance of cows and sheep dotting the countryside! We made it a game to call out "cow" every time we passed one. Needless to say, we said "cow" a lot on the bus.

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  Lunch at Guys Bar in Clifden

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  Pizza from The Dough Bros

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  Morning Scone at Cafe La Coco

The Food

Ireland has a bit of a bad rap when it comes to food but after visiting I think I need to find out who started that little rumor! I have to say, I went on the trip with pretty low expectations regarding the food situation, and really thought I was going to have to have a potato heavy diet this week, (which I was totally okay with), but I couldn't have been more wrong. I was pleasantly surprised by how great the food actually was! Maybe you just need to know where to eat?

I will say that a lot of Irish fare involves pub food like burgers, wings and fish and chips and we did have some pretty delicious meals at many pubs, but it wasn't the only cuisine around. Guys Bar in Clifden was the tastiest pub meal we had. Along with the coziest atmosphere, the food was incredible. I would rate it a 10/10. and would highly recommend putting it on your list if you happen to be traveling through. The biggest surprise meal of the trip was the incredible pizza we had from The Dough Bros in Galway. Come to find out, they were recently awarded Top 100 pizzas in the world. And yes, it deserves all of the accolades, it was THAT good.

The Music

One aspect of the trip that really excited me was the prospect of listening to live music. To my surprise, the music experience exceeded my expectations and it is very obvious how important music is to the culture of Ireland Whether it was the lively tunes of fiddles in pubs or the captivating performances from street musicians in Galway and Dublin, music was everywhere and I loved every bit of it. We heard everything from traditional Irish folk songs to lively covers of Taylor Swift and Green Day, all along the same street! My favorite nights were spent inside The Grand in Killarney, where we enjoyed wonderful performances from local bands.

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  Blarney Castle

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  Kilkenny Castle

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  Church in Adare

The History

It's no secret that the Irish have faced a lot of challenges over course of their history, but what struck me was how tangible this feeling was while there. In contrast to the the grandiose displays of affluence in other European countries, Ireland's overall vibe was modest. The castles and churches we visited didn't boast extravagant displays of wealth or lavish materials. The towns, while charming, embraced a simplicity in both architecture and offerings. Many of the historical sites and sees we stopped by carried the weight of some gruesome events from the past and I felt the heaviness of all of it.

Nevertheless, the pride the Irish exude in their traditions and history in undeniable. I enjoyed learning about the country's history, exploring significant sites and landmarks, hearing stories from incredible people we met along the way, and engaging in cherished Irish pastimes - like having a pint at a local pub!

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  Temple Bar Dublin, Ireland

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  Stag's Head Dublin, Ireland

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  Trinity College Campus Dublin

Dublin

I love Dublin! We spent the last few days of our trip in this lively city and it was definitely a fun way to end our trip. While the scenic landscapes and charming towns were undeniably enchanting, Dublin's vibrant energy was captivating and I was into it! My only regret is that our time here felt too short. I really enjoyed wandering around the city, touring the Guinness Factory, strolling through Temple University, popping in and out of shops and eating at some great restaurants. However, my absolute favorite part of our visit here was the live musician we stumbled upon at The Old Storehouse Bar & Restaurant - an amazing surprise that elevated the entire experience to pure magic. Shout out to Jake Suleman for your incredible talent!