Ireland is country that cannot be visited only once. It takes several returns to feel its essence and grow. Ireland is that kind of country, elegant and welcoming. From all its Peninsulas and internally; this country is more than Dublin itself to show... This is why there is a need for an adventure.
I love when Anthony Bourdain expresses the differences between been a tourist or a traveler, I would go even further, be an explorer and this is the case of Southern Ireland that when coming from San Juan, Puerto Rico to the Emerald Isle is good to pay between $700 to $800 for a round-trip on a voyage that can take anywhere from seven to eight hours across the Atlantic Ocean, were the best months to visit are from April to September.
In the past, the best route to follow is from San Juan to Shannon, but this has changed since 2005, when all stops would be made officially in Dublin. And always save enough to rent a car to get around the Island. There is a nice compact vehicle, a semi-automatic called Opus and a relative good price for a week-rental should be around $350. And it's of the most importance-as expressed before-to drive and explore. A lifetime can be lived inside a week. Be aware to stay on the left-hand-side of the road! The beginning is in Dublin, but like any other major City, plan a driving strategy to get around town and see the best there is to be seen in less then a day or half-a-day, since cities for some are of no interest; this will depend on personalities.
Since it's Ireland for beginners, stay in the South or along the most common routes. The road most traveled outside of Dublin is M-1 to take carriages Eastward. The first stop is Athlone Castle, just impacting: with its waterways, medieval atmosphere, quaint constructions and the friendliest people in Ireland to go along with the experience. Certainly positive! Athlone is just romantic and magical in its importance.
The stop for a night should be in Galway. Traveling spring or summer, the days are longer, be careful to not exceed yourself! Sometimes there is sunlight for 16 hour days. For all explorers, there is easier and must stay at a Bed & Breakfast (B&Bs). They easily run between 30 to 40 Euros per person and all over the Country. Galway is an opportunity to rest, map-out, strategize and plan the trip for the following day. To review, follow M-1 outside of Dublin, then N-4 and N-6 to finalize in complete action the first leg of the trip!
Driving can start rapid and wild the next day, be aware of the carriages (roadways). N-18 is south directly into Shannon. There will be several needed to do stops. Amongst these, are: "The Burren", Bunratty Castle and the Rock of Cashel. It's wonderful just to enter impressive Limerick, with its magnificent lighting (if visiting at night), for its Castle and medieval entrance via car into the center of Town. Daylight is to conquer the soul in wonder with these man made fortifications. The fun is always in the exploration! Whether leaving Limerick at day or night. A need to do, is to trek over to Adare, this village holds its beauty in pastel painted houses, straw roofs, the quaint cafes, restaurants and souvenir. But Adare is a quick stay! It's for the tourist oriented and not the explorer. After all, Ireland is visited for its green hills, lavender fields, Celtic constructions and amazing castles. But it's always best to go around the Village for its !
tranquility and beauty. Since all roads have a great pub… Enjoy the traditional Shepard's pie and a pint of Guiness. To accommodate to the tourist, in the 1980s, pubs began serving food, and if not for the food, have in mind that, "Guiness is good for you!" Take as many snapshots as possible. This is-in my opinion-the best leg of the trip! Also, this day is the longest travel, which is the second day; therefore, start with an early breakfast and beginning.
Plan and continue until reaching your destination, unless it's too late, then stay somewhere adjacent to Adare. Commence the next morning and go further south to the pristine Lakes of Killarney. This place is magnificent and it causes a stimulus in every part of the body! Full of emotion, there is so much to see. Killarney has enormous mountain rages, lakes, waterfalls, rivers and old Victorian styled homes, etc.
This third leg should be-if possible-from Killarney continuing on N-22 that's in route to Cork. Here, your goal is to reach the Blarney Castle and there is moment to climb and kiss the stone! There is a rumor that it will give anybody true eloquence!
No exploration is complete without visiting Waterford! Home of the best crystal in the world… It's important to do a tour of the Waterford Crystal Factory. It was established in 1783 by the Penrose brothers, because Waterford is a town of easy access to ports that take this fine art all over the world. And thanks to its American markets, crystal is an international bestseller. And a B&B is extremely appropriate for this lovely area, gorgeous as it is, there is Enniscorthy. Mrs. Keogh's is a grand suggestion to experience for its breakfasts styled fried-eggs 'over easy', fried tomatoes, sausages and black pudding. But no meal can be left out without Mrs. Keogh's famous 'black-bread'!
Upon morning and departing Enniscorthy, this can easily become the fourth or fifth leg of the trip. These portions when visited have to be literally drunk to be enjoyed like sweet wine! Leave a little after 9 a.m. to reach Arklow before noon. The road to select must be the one-always-least traveled. In this case is R-755 to be engaged into a forest covered in lush green, moose, medieval stone circles, Celtic crosses (which is in the case of Glendalough) and Victorian homes that decorated the carriages as far as the eye can see. Make-on the 'to do list'-a stop at Avondale House and buy a sweater. Furthermore, you will help the woolen industry and get the best product on the East of Ireland, and it's a special place for its spectacular waterways.
Think about lunch late afternoon, a stop before heading back into Dublin. When back into the Capital pass along the St. Patrick's Cathedral (the most beloved patron Saint of Ireland). There is also a moment to enjoy a couple of hours of the Guiness Brewery, if time is allotted. If not, just go directly into the Temple Bar District for music and another Guiness stout. Remembering always that, "Guiness is good for you!" However, please drink responsibly. If there is no time, leave the Brewery for the sixth and next to last day, explore it in the morning! Early afternoon it's time to plan Newgrange.
Newgrange is completely special, too special, as a matter of fact… It is because it reflects an ancient and Celtic society. The best words to use and describe are: unique, fantastic, a miracle of construction with its mound and underground passageway of 62 feet that lights-up always in the early morning sun. The first observatory known to man, or at least one of the first… Celtic history is part of everything in Ireland and can never be left out! It's reflected through the Island, with over 5,000 years of stone-circles, burial grounds, beehive homes and stone forts: from "The Burren", to Glendalough and a noble-finish in Newgrange.
To admire its green shaped tops and flowery fields of nature will become an experience to take home. A special feeling of remembrance to live and have had explored 60% of the country's history in less than a week. Long live the Emerald Isle, place in which, they even have crossings for Leprechauns. Cied mille a failte! A 1,000 welcomes!
Written by: Daniel Otero, San Juan, Puerto Rico
A consultant that writes part-time as a hobby.
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My dream is to retire in Ireland!"