Go ahead and queue “Linger,” because this article is about the motherland!
Last week, my friends and I traveled to Ireland. Over the course of three days, we explored the eastern and western coasts of the country, taking trips to Dublin, Galway and the Cliffs of Moher.
It is often said that the people make the place, and Ireland is no different. Of the countries that I have visited, I have yet to meet people as nice and welcoming as those in Ireland. I spent the weekend chatting with pub-goers in Dublin and shop owners in Galway, and I enjoyed every second of it.
At recommendation, my friends and I kicked off our trip with a visit to the Guinness Factory. Although I am not a fan of Guinness itself, I respect the dedication of the Dubliners. (At the risk of insulting my favorite city, I must admit that the drink tastes like battery acid.) Regardless, we had our pictures printed into the foam of the beer and took lots of pictures. Overall, the tour of the factory was very interesting and the view from the top rivals that of the Empire State Building.
We also embarked on a cross-country bus tour, which included a stop at the infamous Barack Obama Plaza, a rest stop off the highway in Ireland. Even though I accidentally slept through the first hour of the ride, I still managed to take in some of the views as we drove. The scenery (or should I say greenery) was beautiful.
First, the bus stopped at the Cliffs of Moher, a beautiful overlook of the Atlantic Ocean. Although the rain and wind made the terrain slippery, we enjoyed walking around and exploring the grounds. If you are a “Harry Potter” fan, you may recognize the cliffs from the sixth movie, “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.” I was certainly starstruck.
We also stopped in Galway, a town inspired by the famous Ed Sheeran song, “Galway Girl.” Or, maybe it’s the other way around? Galway is a quaint little town with bustling streets and pubs galore. The old Irish tradition of Claddagh rings first originated in Galway, so we visited the original shop. One of my friends even purchased a ring.
Even the food in Ireland was perfect. We had a weekend full of stew, corned beef, shepherd’s pie, potatoes and Irish soda bread. It was amazing, and very filling.
As I previously mentioned (but must emphasize again), The Cranberries are from Ireland. Need I say any more about how perfect the country is? I could listen to “Ode to My Family” all day.
To summarize, my love for Ireland is off the charts. On my unofficial list of favorite cities that I have visited, Dublin definitely ranks first. Perhaps I should consider a career path as a tour guide in Dublin. The weekend was good craic, and I will definitely be back (on Saint Patrick’s Day). On a related note, I have now decided that I am 100% Irish. I am going to have to borrow Sofia Donohue’s Irish pin!
