Ireland: Where the Land, the People, and the Stories Come Alive
There are places in the world that feel beautiful, and then there are places that feel
alive. Ireland belongs firmly in the second category. It is a country where the landscape
seems to breathe, the people welcome you like an old friend, and history whispers from
nearly every stone wall and winding road. AND, it’s the first place I have travelled to that
I would move to in a heartbeat!
For me this was an unforgettable 15-day journey, first through Northern Ireland, and
then moving on to the Republic of IrelandRepublic Ireland, truly the trip of a lifetime. We
were on an organized tour with Royal Irish Tours, and travelled in a comfortable coach
seating about 38 passengers. The itinerary combined spectacular coastal scenery,
fascinating history, lively cities, and authentic Irish culture.
After landing in Dublin, our adventure began in the charming seaside town of Malahide,
just north of Dublin where we stayed in the Grand Hotel. The following morning saw us
setting off toward the Mountains of Mourne and into Saint Patrick’s Country. Along the
way, we visited Saint Patrick’s grave, and the Saint Patrick Centre where we learned
about Ireland’s patron saint. Our journey continued into Northern Ireland and onto
Belfast via Strangford Lough, famous as a filming location for Game of Thrones.
Our overnight stay in Belfast at the Europa Hotel provided a chance to explore both the
city’s turbulent political history and its maritime legacy. Highlights included the colorful
murals of Shankill and Falls Roads, a guided tour of Belfast City Hall, and the award-
winning Titanic Experience – voted one of Europe’s top visitor attractions. One day was
an excellent introduction to Belfast and we touched on the major highlights, but we
could definitely have spent more time there to explore the city in depth.
The first thing I noticed about Ireland, indeed what many people notice, was the
breathtaking scenery. The countryside rolls endlessly in shades of green so rich they
almost seem unreal, earning Ireland its famous nickname, The Emerald Isle. Patchwork
fields stretch across gentle hills, separated by ancient stone fences and hedgerows.
Along the west coast, visitors can experience some of Europe’s most dramatic natural
views. The towering cliffs and powerful Atlantic waves create unforgettable scenery,
especially at famous locations like the Cliffs of Moher. Rising more than 700 feet above
the ocean, these cliffs offer sweeping vistas that delight travelers and photographers
from around the world. Not far away, you’ll find the intensity of the ocean complemented
perfectly by the quiet solitude of narrow country roads lined with hedges and
wildflowers.
As you travel along the narrow roadways, you may also notice the pristine state of the
roadsides, villages, and rolling hills. It’s rare to see any litter that has been casually
tossed out of passing vehicles. Curious, I delved into this mystery and discovered that
for the most part it’s thanks to the TidyTowns initiative. This national program has been

running in some form since 1958 and has grown from 52 participant towns in the first
year to an average of 700 entries annually.
Rain showers come and go quickly, leaving behind fresh, misty air and rainbows that
seem to appear out of nowhere. I was awed by many such beautiful rainbows.
Following our overnight stay in Belfast, our coach took us north to follow the spectacular
Antrim Coast to the Giant’s Causeway (truly the windiest place I have ever visited!!).
Then it was onwards to the historic walled city of Derry for a guided walking tour and the
‘Story of Derry’. Best not to refer to this city as ‘Londonderry’ lest someone from the
Republic overhears you! I learned that this is still a sensitive subject for some people
going back to the days of the ‘Troubles’. Our journey continued west into Donegal in the
Republic of Ireland. where we stayed overnight at the Abbey Hotel.
The next day we visited the world-famous porcelain factory in Belleek where we enjoyed
browsing through its many treasures. A stop in the beautiful village of Mullaghmore
revealed why it attracts surfers, who travel from all over the world, to ride the waves
reaching up to 67-foot waves rolling in from the Atlantic Ocean! Our day ended when
we arrived at the Clayton Hotel in Sligo, where we stayed for two nights. It was lovely to
have some free time to explore sights of Sligo.
After a panoramic tour of Limerick City, we reached our destination of Tralee and a 3-
night stay at the Ashe Hotel. It was lovely to have the occasional multi-night stay during
our tour as it was relaxing and gave us enough free time to do some exploring on our
own. That location served as our base for exploring the Dingle Peninsula where there
was more spectacular and unforgettable scenery, as well as enough history to
thoroughly engage the history buffs!
There were more dramatic views of the Atlantic Ocean while we travelled the Ring of
Kerry.
A highlight of this part of our tour on the way back into Killarney was the opportunity to
visit a traditional working sheep farm and witness the brilliance of the working dogs. To
be invited to observe their talent, level of training and their unbreakable bond with their
farmer was truly a privilege. Later that evening we were immersed in another cultural
experience at Quill’s Farmhouse where we had a traditional Irish dinner and an evening
of Irish music.
After leaving Kerry, our route took us through Tipperary with a visit to the Cahir Castle
before arriving in the medieval town of Kilkenny which is over 400 years old. Here we
settled in for two enjoyable nights at the Ormonde Hotel. We had time to explore the
town, including seeing the Medieval Mile, and sampling the excellent food and drink at
a traditional pub.
Kilkenny is another great location to use as a base for visiting surrounding areas,
notably New Ross and Waterford. A short drive away, the replica of the sailing vessel
Dunbrody in New Ross let us experience first-hand the size of the living quarters (a 6-

foot by 6-foot space for four people!) aboard ship for those Irish immigrants who
desperately wanted to leave their homeland during the Great Famine (1848-1849).
We also had an opportunity to visit the House of Waterford where we toured the factory
and learned how their famous crystal is made. The retail space showcases the extent of
the Waterford creations and even if you are not a fan of crystal, it’s difficult not to
recognize the expertise and talent that goes into designing and creating each piece.
Although a stop in Waterford was part of our overall tour of Ireland and Northern Ireland,
it can also be easily managed as a day trip from Dublin.
The next morning we left Kilkenny and travelled to Kildare to a stop at the Irish National
Stud and Gardens – the centre of the Irish Thoroughbred breeding industry. There we
saw descendants of the famous racehorses Secretariat and Northern Dancer, watched
the curious foals playing in their field, and wondered why someone would name their
National Hunt racehorse ‘Beef Or Salmon’. You can see his name on his halter!
Apparently the owner couldn’t immediately come up with a name and had been invited
to a wedding where the food choice was Beef or Salmon!
Part of the Irish Stud has an internationally renowned Japanese garden designed
between 1906 and 1910 by a master Japanese horticulturist and his son to symbolize
the ‘Life of Man’. The original owner of the land was fascinated with Eastern culture,
hence the garden. He was also considered eccentric, introducing astrological theories
into his thoroughbred breeding program!
Prior to arriving at our final hotel, the Gresham Hotel in Dublin, we enjoyed a
comprehensive city tour. The was helpful for planning our free time that evening and the
next day, our last one on the tour. We spent the final day exploring the streets of Dublin
by foot. One particularly memorable stop in the heart of the city was the Archaeology
Collection at the National Museum of Ireland. Free admission!! We spent over two
hours there and could easily have stayed longer.
On our last evening in Dublin we were treated to a lively farewell dinner with Irish
entertainment including Irish dancers and musicians. Audience members were invited to
try their hand at playing the Bodhran, a traditional Irish frame drum, the rhythmic
heartbeat of Celtic music. Although we didn’t try it, we had fun watching some of our
tablemates do so, a fitting end to a journey filled with history, landscapes, storytelling,
and unforgettable Irish hospitality.
Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland have something for everyone – stunning
countryside, lively cities, welcoming people, history and storytelling. A visit to The
Emerald Isle reminds us that beauty isn’t only found in grand landscapes or historic
landmarks. Sometimes it lives in the laughter of the people, the stories they share, and
the timeless connection between land and life.