I was inspired today by Lisa at Sunshine Travels and the daily post, to write about that one place I would love to go before it is too late. That place for me is Ireland. I can’t explain why. All of these years when the name ‘Ireland’ gets mentioned there is a sadness in my heart, a deep sadness inside that feels like… like I miss home and I can’t go back.
I envision it to be a very simple romantic place. The mist along the hundred-shades-of-green rolling hills, the smell of peat that lingers in your mind like your favorite men’s cologne, being surrounded by ghosts of a thousand years past, singing sad songs while having a pint in the local pub, and of course… the far off wail of the forlorn pipes….that is how I see Ireland. Maybe I have just seen too many movies…maybe it will not live up to my dreams, but there is only one way to find out.
(image: NationalGeographic.com)
Reposted in answer to the daily prompt: Tourist Trap, What’s your dream tourist destination — either a place you’ve been and loved, or a place you’d love to visit? What about it speaks to you?
Hello Giselle, glad I could inspire you! I hope one day you’ll get the chance to see Ireland for yourself!
Best, L
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You’ll find a lot of that in Ireland alright but stay west. Don’t bother heading to Dublin, it’s just like any city, touristy and over priced. West Cork, Kerry, Galway and north to Donegal are the best places.
Hope you make it over here one day
Conor (born, bred and living in Ireland)
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I might pop by the city just for a quick view but want to spend most of the time in the countryside. Thank you for the advice – I may hit you up for more if I get tickets 🙂
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Ireland is number one on my bucket-list. Don’t know why either, just everything about it is fascinating and my cup of tea.
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If you go before me, tell me everything!
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If I do, I will, and I will take thousands of pictures!
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It is on my list as well – right near the top! I was fortunate enough to honeymoon in England and Wales almost 25 years ago, but Ireland would be a pure delight for me. My mother has been (and actually looked up some relatives in Cork & Tipperary) and she loved it as much I know I would. Gorgeous pic you posted, BTW…very eye-catching! 🙂
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Thank you very much for your kind words. I too have been to England (and the countryside) many years ago but was with my parents at the time and they had the agenda structured. I have heard so many wonderful things about Ireland – you have relatives as personal travel agents; no excuse not to go!
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My bucket list place to visit is Italy. Although, I must admit, I’ve never seen a landscape photo of Great Britain that didn’t scream ‘Come enjoy my beauty’, so I can see where Ireland would be a definite bucket-list choice. 🙂
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Loved Italy. So much to see so be sure to give yourself plenty of time to take it all in.
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I’ll bet you did. In my first book, ‘Brides. book 1. Sarah & Yvonne’ I sent my characters to Italy on their Honeymoon and thoroughly enjoyed researching their trip to bring reality to the scenes … one of these days… 🙂
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I have always wanted to visit Ireland too. One of my top 5 to visit places. I hope we do get to go there soon 😉
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I keep thinking I am saving the best for last, but at some point, I need to just go and do it! I hope you get to go sooner than later too 🙂
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Hi Giselle, as an Irish girl living in Scotland for the last year and a half, the thought of Ireland haunts me too! I’m not homesick, but I identify with my country and our history even more since I left. One thing that I would recommend to you before you go (and you WILL go) is to give yourself a good understanding the history of Ireland. I’m not talking about reading a thousand books here, but every scene and building will have a heightened significance for you with a little bit if background knowledge. If you ever have the time I would recommend watching films like The Wind that Shakes the Barley (starring Cillian Murphy) and Once to give you an idea of past contemporary life in Ireland. Also don’t dismiss Dublin, the tour of Kilmainham Gaol is one of the most informative snd well thought out tours I have ever been on, the Guiness Storehouse has the best view if Dublin City anywhere and Glasnevin Cemetary is really interesting! But yes, as far a stunning scenery goes, West of Ireland and Donegal all the way! Sherkin Island is a must too 😊
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I am most definitely one of those people who loves to travel and does lots of research ahead of time so I know the history and highlights of the area but the best resources are those that live there. Thank you so much for all your info and I hope I can use you as one of those resources (?)… Ireland is not too far from Scotland, you wont go back sometime and quench your thirst?
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It sounds like you are the type of person who will get a lot out of a trip to Ireland 😊 Most definitely I really like giving people tips especially for touristy things that’s a smart way to travel. My boyfriend is a Scot so I act as a tour guide, when we visit and I really like it! I go back twice or 3 times a year, it can feel a bit strange sometimes dividing yourself between two places, wondering what’s going on in your other “home” while you’re there but then missing it when you return! Scotland is less than an hour away from Ireland by plane by the way, so if you were thinking if expanding your Celtic journey, I would highly recommend it.
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I would love to take the time to visit all of the area; sounds like I would need at least 14 days to not be rushed. Then again, maybe I wont leave 😉
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Hoping you get there.
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I will, it is just a matter of ‘how soon’ 🙂
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Don’t forget to come to Northern Ireland too! We have some pretty spectacular scenery including the world famous Giant’s Causeway! Bring a raincoat though.
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Rain? I am not so sweet that I shall melt 😉 It is on the list – thank you for the suggestion!
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