What do Oscar Wild, Colin Farrell, the rock band U2 and Guinness beer have in common ? Look no further : all were born in Ireland ! A country with many facets, with unsuspected cultural and traditional riches, Ireland is also called the "Emerald Island" because of its lush vegetation and contrasting reliefs. A land of history and legend, Ireland is the place where Celtic and modern cultures coexist in harmony. Its lakes, wild cliffs, long green plains, medieval cities and welcoming population make it an ideal holiday destination for nature and history fans.
Start your stay with a visit to Dublin, the capital of the Republic of Ireland. Human-sized and warm city, you can visit it on foot or by bike (but beware of its cobbled streets !). Divided into two parts by the Liffey River, to the north, its large shopping streets like Talbot Street or Henry Street abound with typical shops and pubs. You will also find beautiful parks and the Whisky Museum on Grafton Street. On the south bank, you will have an appointment with the historic Dublin : here, beautiful Georgian residences alongside superb museums such as the National Museum, but also the city's university and the remains of medieval Dublin. Don't miss Christ Church : this cathedral built by the Vikings is one of the most visited monuments in the Irish capital. In addition to its Anglo-Norman architecture, it will seduce you with its splendid stained glass windows, its nave, its crypt and its beautiful stone bridge linking the two sides of the street. A few metres further on, after crossing St Patrick's Park, you will arrive at the foot of the famous St Patrick's Cathedral. Built in 1191 on the site where St Patrick baptised converts to Christianity, it is one of Dublin's most important historic monuments. Don't miss Trinity College, Ireland's oldest university renowned for its architecture and beautiful library, but also Kilmainham Prison or the trendy Temple Bar area, popular for its galleries, cafes, bars and lively nightlife.
Stroll through Dublin's beautiful cobbled streets and enter one of its 1000 pubs : a real Irish institution, where people sing, dance, play darts and eat generously. Soups, fish and grilled meats, beer or whisky flowing : there is something for everyone, rarely in moderation.
Take the direction of Belfast then Galway, artistic city from which you can easily go to the Connemara region. Impressive and renowned for its magnificent landscapes dotted with deep-water lakes, Connemara is a paradise for horse-riding enthusiasts who can discover the region on horseback off the beaten track.
Stop by the Kylemore Castle : a treasure of Gothic architecture built in the 19th century on the shores of a lake in the middle of the mountains, you will fall under the spell of its bewitching panorama, like straight out of a film set. The country has more than 3000 castles, 4 of which are particularly emblematic : Cahir Castle, Bunratty Castle, Kilkenny Castle or Ashford Castle.
In the north of the country is a magical and surprising place : Giant's Causeway. Classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this natural curiosity composed of geometrical rocks flowing into the sea constitutes a unique panorama in the world : to see absolutely !
To the south, take the Ring of Kerry, one of Ireland's most beautiful roads. 180 kilometres long, you will walk through the blue and green shades of the Irish plains, among the cliffs, mountains and rugged rocky hills overlooking the ocean.
Finally how to evoke Ireland and its sumptuous landscapes without speaking of the Cliffs of Moher ? To the west of the country, these 214-metre high wild peaks stretch for nearly 8 kilometres along the Atlantic coast. It is best to go there early in the morning or late at night, with your camera to watch the sunrise or sunset, because the light gives this place an unforgettable character: this excursion will certainly be your best memory of Ireland !
