Ireland
Uncover your civilised side and experience Ireland’s rich literature, traditional and heritage sites – sometimes you don’t even have to leave the pub to take part!
Famed the world over for our rich, literary traditions and vibrant traditional culture, isn’t it time to find out what all the fuss is about? Imbued into daily life, you could down a pint on the same barstool that Brendan Behan used to frequent, stumble upon a Neolithic monument out in the countryside or find yourself in the midst of an impromptu trad music seisún.
Surrounded by our culture and heritage at every turn, it’s easy to miss out on the phenomenon that is our history. But take the time to focus and you’ll find that there’s a whole lot happening from buzzing literary festivals, raucous ceìlis and unbelievable heritage sites from crumbling castles to mystical monasteries – and all are definitely worth a look.
It's said that Ireland, once visited, is never forgotten, and for once the blarney rings true. The Irish landscape has a mythic resonance, the country's history is almost tangible, and its people seem put on earth expressly to restore faith in humanity.
The weather may sometimes give you the impression that you're swimming through an airborne ocean, but the truly luminous greens, luxuriant wildflowers, and afternoons spent holed up in riotous pubs will more than console you for the webbed feet you'll need to grow.