A few weeks ago, I attended a virtual seminar all about Ireland. At the end of it, I took a six module course and one final exam to be a “Ireland specialist.” A lot of my amazing suppliers (tourism boards, hotels, and cruise lines) are hosting these specialist programs, and I’ve done quite a few. I happen to simply love Ireland. It’s part of my heritage, it’s an easy flight from the east coast of the United States, and it has SO much to offer. Over these next four posts, I’ll be sharing a little bit about this beautiful island country and why it’s a great destination for everyone.
Destinations: Ireland
The tiny Emerald Isle lies a quick six hour flight from the US East Coast. The national carrier is Aer Lingus, which flies direct to Newark, Washington DC, Chicago, Miami, San Francisco, and LA. There are also US-based carriers that fly to Dublin and Shannon, Ireland’s two international gateways.
One major perk when visiting Eire is that when you fly back to the States (and, yes, this is only for Americans, not Canadians) you go through US Custom and Immigration at the Irish airport. What does this mean? It means that when you land in the US, you land at a domestic gate and don’t have to go through security.
Most people think of “Ireland” as being the Republic of Ireland, but the tourism board includes Northern Ireland. Belfast has enjoyed a rise in popularity, and recently made Travel + Leisure’s list of best places to visit in 2017. Popular shows like Game of Thrones film along NI’s northern coast and the new Titanic museum opened to worldwide fanfare.
Want to stay in a castle? You can absolutely do that. There are also stately homes turned hotels and spas. Golf, although created in Scotland, is king here; the British Open will be in Northern Ireland in 2018.
What to do in Ireland
While most travellers head to Dublin, Galway, and the infamous Ring of Kerry, there’s a ton more to see and do. Ireland is a stunning country, home to jaw-dropping scenery, tiny fishing villages, exciting local pubs, and ancient history. From the remote Ballinskelligs to the staggering Slieve League cliffs and all the one-lane cow path roads in between, western Ireland has so much outside of the many small towns. For vibrant Irish music, head for Galway, where pubs boast live music most nights of the week. The last time I was here, my grandmother sang along with Mick Lavelle before the main act took the stage. This local Westport troubadour sadly passed away two years later, but it’s a memory we’ll always have.
Southern Ireland doesn’t disappoint either; Cobh (pronounced “cove”) and the larger city of Cork was where 2.5 million Irish immigrants left for a better life in America. The port city was also the last point of departure for the ill-fated Titanic. Anyone with Irish heritage ought to visit here; it’s also possible to view (from land) the place where the Titanic anchored. The ship was so large that it couldn’t dock; everyone who boarded in Cobh was ferried to the ship on tenders.
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This week, I’m going to share a bit about different parts of Ireland. We’ll start with the capital, fair Dublin, and make our way around the country. In addition, I’ll share a little bit about the many Virtuoso properties and why staying in a castle is a once in a lifetime opportunity! Posts go live at 10am eastern time!
