7 Reasons Why Ireland is Underrated
When I initially began planning my 3 week trek through Northern Europe, I had Ireland on my itinerary but only planned on visiting Dublin for 3 days. Because it seemed like most travelers did the same, I assumed Ireland didn’t have much to offer. Luckily when the opportunity to explore the country side of Ireland with Traverse Journeys presented itself, I was very much corrected because Ireland easily became one of my favorite countries. Here are 7 reasons why Ireland is underrated and must be added to your list:
1. Off The Beaten Path Routes: The west coast of Ireland is a great place to visit but I would highly recommend visiting with a local guide. The reason why I refer to some of these locations as ‘off the beaten path’ is because I couldn’t imagine how anyone would find them if they weren’t familiar with the area. Our guide had lived in Ireland for quite some time so she was very familiar with the roads which can look pretty sketchy if you’ve never been there. Some of my favorite spots were the Baltimore Beacon where we watched an epic sunset from the top of a cliff which was a very short hike. I also enjoyed Drombeg stone circle and Ardgroom circle.
2. Colorful Towns: If you’ve been following me for some time, you’ll know that I love colors. Bright colors always lift my spirits, so walking through the colorful towns of Kinsale and Alihies was a real treat. These towns are relatively quiet compared to others but there are loads of cute cafes and boutiques that are worth stopping in.
3. Great Food: For some people it may not matter, but the quality of food can make or break a trip for me. I’ll easily write a country off if I don’t enjoy the food (I’m a tough critic). Ireland hasn’t been known for great food over the years either so of course I was skeptical. I was pleasantly surprised when I loved every single dish I had. I did not expect every thing to be so fresh and taste well. We ate at quite a few local restaurants that were affordable and of course we treated ourselves to a higher end place as well.
4. Television & Movie Locations: You’d be very surprised how many times Ireland has appeared on your TV screens. The popular Game of Thrones, the infamous Harry Potter and the timeless Star Wars all have filming locations in Ireland. Visit the Cliffs of Moher from Harry Potter and the Half Blooded Prince, and Slea Head Drive from Star Wars: The Last Jedi.
5. Sustainable Organizations: Now more than ever do travelers need to focus more on sustainability and responsible travel. There are quite a enfew to choose from throughout the region but we visited Irish Seed Savers. Located in east County Clare, Irish Seed Savers focuses on preserving agricultural heritage and teaching sustainable practices. We were able to see apple orchards and many gardens. At the end we got to taste the amazingly refreshing apple juice.
6. Fun & Authentic Culture: A visit to Ireland isn’t complete with stopping at a few local pubs for a pint. Personally, I’m not a beer lover but I did enjoy a few ciders as well as watching local bands perform at the bars. We stopped at Bhric West Kerry Brewery in the Dingle area. It’s a pretty quiet town that comes alive at night because there are pubs on almost every block. I also got a chance to do some winter shopping in Dingle at quite a few clothing stores and found great deals on some spring wear as well.
7. Lush Nature Surroundings: If you’re a fan of nature, Ireland’s west coast is a must visit. There are so many parks with beautiful views and because they are so large, it feels like you have the place to yourself. We visited Killarney National Park which I loved. Then we made our way to Gleninchaquin Park which is family owned and was much more of an intimate experience. We also made our way to two different beaches. Although Ireland is not the typical beach destination, I was able to enjoy the beach in a different way that did not include any swimming or sun bathing. We went to Silver Strand beach on Sherkin island as well as Clogher Head beach located on the Dingle peninsula. I didn’t think it was possible to enjoy a beach in colder weather but I found it very peaceful to watch the waves of the wild Atlantic crash against the rocks.
All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Ireland. it was full of pleasant surprises and I would highly recommend visiting with Traverse Journeys.