Ireland’s Eternal Allure
Spectacular, ancient and uniquely welcoming, the island of Ireland offers a cornucopia of sensory and cultural immersions you won’t find anywhere else. The land of Wilde, Shaw, Yeats and Joyce is the perfect start to your European holiday.
Exploring the Emerald Isle presents you with day-after-enchanting-day of intriguing adventures, each infused with the infectious merriment of the world’s friendliest people. From the buzzing cosmopolitan streets of the cities to the rural Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking) region of Connemara in County Galway; from the awe-inspiring Cliffs of Moher on the wild Atlantic coastline to the ancient monuments, medieval castles and idyllic villages, the island of Ireland is an absorbing, bewitching delight.
Embark on your Irish encounter in Dublin and soak up the architectural, literary and musical heritage, wander the discovery trails and dine at Michelin-starred restaurants or enjoy modern takes on Irish classics – and a Guinness - at the gastro-pubs. Or head to Belfast and take a famous Black Taxi Tour to see the political wall murals, visit Titanic Belfast (named the World's Leading Attraction at the 2016 World Travel Awards) and finish the day with a cocktail and dinner in the uber-cool Cathedral Quarter, one of Europe’s culinary hot-spots.
Beyond the cities, a diverse, majestic countryside awaits. In Ireland's Ancient East you’ll journey through 5000 years of history and find prehistoric burial chambers as old as Egypt’s pyramids, walk through monastic ruins, forts and castles, kiss the Blarney Stone and discover festivals and fabulous food. You’ll see some of the most dramatic scenery in the world around the headlands and rugged coast on the Wild Atlantic Way. And on the Antrim coast of Northern Ireland, near the Giant's Causeway, you can also explore the ruins of the medieval Dunluce Castle (featured in Game of Thrones) and tackle the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge near Ballintoy.
Wherever you venture in this mystical land, the cheeky, fun demeanour of the locals will make you feel right at home. You’ll fall a little more in love with the place and the people with each passing mile, at each country pub, at every charming B&B, in every pretty village. Nothing in Europe is quite like the island of Ireland. Ask anyone.