Join an Irish pub crawl
One of the most well-known facets of Ireland is its pub culture. The Irish pub is a major feature in the Irish literary arts and is a regular destination in everyday life.
One of the most interesting ways to experience this slice of Irish culture is by going on an Irish pub crawl. Places such as Dublin often have a slew of pub crawls that visiting tourists can join.
One of the most famous of these is the Dublin Literary Pub Crawl. It starts from Duke Street and takes about three hours to complete. During the tour, visitors are regaled by performances featuring the works of Ireland’s literary greats, such as Joyce, Beckett, Behan, Wide, and Boland.
For those who prefer the melody of musical notes over that of the spoken word, there is a traditional Irish Musical Pub Crawl that explores Dublin’s lively traditional music scene. The participants are accompanied by Irish music along the way. This pub crawl starts at the Oliver St. John Gogarty pub every night.
Join the Irish festivities
The good people of Ireland know how to throw a party, and they invite the rest of the world to it. Whether you go to Ireland in the dead of winter, the heat of summer, or just about any season in between, there will be a festival waiting for you.
A few of the noteworthy festivals that tourists in Ireland must experience would be the Dublin Theatre Festival (DTF), which happens every September and October. The DTF stages the theatrical works of famous artists such as Roddy Doyle and Seamus Heaney.
Music fans will have a blast if they happen to time their vacation with the Guinness Jazz Festival, one of the biggest jazz festivals in the world. The Guinness Cork Jazz Festival combines the sweet sounds of jazz all over the world in one big party!
The Galway Arts Festival features more than 400 writers, artists and performers from all over the world. It is a festival of theater, music, literature, street performances, and dance.
The Kilkenny Cat Laughs Comedy Festival, which is held every June, features top-notch comic talents from Ireland and neighboring territories.
And of course, there is St. Patrick’s Festival – Ireland’s national holiday – held near the middle of March. Watch for the fireworks display, which is a highlight of the multiday festival. Among all Irish fests, this is the one you definitely do not want to miss.
Practice your golf swing
Ireland is a golfing country, and its lush greenery makes it a golfer’s paradise. The island has some of the world’s best golf courses that will please the freshest amateurs and the most experienced professionals alike.
To practice your swing in Ireland, head down to the Royal County Down Golf Club, where you can practice – and test – your golfing skills, surrounded by breathtaking scenery.
Other runners up in the for the Best Golf Course award would be the Ballybunion Golf Club; the Portmarnock Golf Club, which stretches far out toward the Irish Sea; and the Lahinch Golf Club, on the West Coast of Ireland.
Take a cruise on the River Shannon
The River Shannon is the longest river in Ireland. It goes from County Limerick to the Lower Lough Erne of Northern Ireland.
It is an excellent place for a cruise. The river has waterways that stretch for 500 kilometers (311 miles).
Visitors can rent boats of different sizes when going on the river cruise. You can hire berth cruisers that are so luxurious, they feel like home in the sea; or you can get a day boat, which gives maximum comfort for a lower price.
The river cruise is one of the most relaxing activities tourists can engage in while in Ireland. It is also a good way to take in the scenery and the landscapes that surround the river.
Immerse yourself in Irish literature
One of Ireland’s largest contributions to the world is its literature – lyric poetry, short stories, Irish fiction and theater. Even today, the Irish literary world continues to thrive; it is as alive and well as it was hundreds of years ago.
The seanchaithe – Irish story tellers – entertain the village folk with tales of Celtic warriors, stories of fairies, and heroic legends. Visitors can join Ireland’s many literary tours to fully experience the magical storytelling that only the seanchaithe can bring.
One can also go to Trinity College in Dublin, which has produced many of Ireland’s greatest writers – the likes of Jonathan Swift, Oscar Wilde, and Oliver Goldsmith. The college also houses the illuminated gospel books, the Book of Durrow and the Book of Kells.
Tours that focus on Ireland’s famous writers such as Bram Stoker, who wrote Dracula; James Joyce, who penned “Ulysses”; and the famous poet WB Yeats are also available in Dublin. Tourists can visit the homes of Yeats and Joyce or visit museums dedicated to them.
Hello fellow travelers! My name is Mary and I am the main author of Traveling East. Just like any other travel enthusiasts, traveling has also been our passion! For inquiries, suggestions or anything travel related, please feel free to send us an E-mail at support@travelingeast.com.