Ohhhhhh Ireland….the Emerald Isle…and the first place I had the pleasure of stamping on my passport.
I once asked my boss where her favorite place to travel was. I can remember being surprised at how quickly and confidently she responded. Of all the places in the world, Ireland was it for her.
Truth be told, my first and second trip to Ireland brought me to tears. No exaggeration, the first time I laid eyes on the Irish countryside, I was overwhelmed with emotion. It wasn’t until the second trip that I even knew I was Irish. In fact, I walked around the first trip claiming my British heritage, which, as they would say, “was no fault of my own”. Fancy finding out you are BOTH Irish and British!?!? What a conflicting, yet intertwined, history to research.
For those of you who are unaware (like I was), Ireland was suppressed by Britain for over 800 years. Let that sink in for a moment. As an American, our country went through the Revolutionary War to escape British suppression. Though our struggle was nothing close to the centuries of sheer torture the Irish were forced to endure. It became abundantly apparent to me why the Irish are so proud of the heritage they fought to preserve through all odds. My heritage, that I denied foolishly; yet came face to face with in my DNA results. It was all beginning to make sense. You see, I believe in something called genetic memory and I know to the very center of my core…Ireland feels like home. I felt the same way in the U.K., but we will save that for another blog.
Though I am working on blogs for each of these places individually, I thought it would be fun to put together a list of the fun places I have been. What’s great is that some of these places can be grouped together to make the most of your visit and time. Don’t underestimate the benefit of joining a good tour. Not only is transportation under control, the guides are truly a wealth of knowledge and bring the history of each place alive.
Cliffs of Moher in Galway
Blarney Castle in County Cork
Giants Causeway on the Antrim Coast
Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge on the Antrim Coast
Cobh in County Cork
The Burren in County Clare
The Dark Hedges in Norther Ireland
Corcomroe Abbey in County Clare
Even as I am writing this, so many places of interest come to mind that I yet have had the pleasure to visit. I can hardly stand it! It is times like this that I can feel that fire brewing in my soul and know with every confidence that I will be back again. As someone who’s intent is to see the world, constantly revisiting a specific place may hinder that progression. I told one of my travel buddies, Ireland has ahold of me…I’m not done with her yet, and may never be. With any luck of the Irish, I will be back soon. Who knows, maybe it will evolve into a yearly destination.
Have you ever been to Ireland? If you have, where is your favorite place? Drop a comment if Ireland is on your list for having been or want to go!
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From my journey to yours,
BRILLIANTLY BOHEMIAN 