Summary:
- Ireland offers a slower, more enriching travel experience beyond clichés, from Dublin’s museums, parks, pubs and music-filled streets to its warm hospitality and rich history, making it especially appealing for more relaxed, mature travellers.
- Iconic Irish food and drink experiences such as Guinness, whiskey distilleries, Irish breakfasts, and traditional pubs are central to the journey, alongside cultural highlights like Viking history, rock music landmarks, and quirky museums.
- Venturing outside Dublin reveals Ireland’s true magic through scenic countryside, coastal drives like the Ring of Kerry and Wild Atlantic Way, dramatic landmarks such as the Cliffs of Moher, and practical, easy travel options by train or car despite unpredictable weather.
Think of Ireland and what often come to mind are lush green countryside, a love for drinking, famous musicians, and perhaps even its troubled history. Yet the Emerald Isle has so much more to offer – even if the aforementioned stereotypes do ring true to an extent.
I recall being interested in visiting Ireland since my early 20s, probably because I was into its exports such as music, movies, food, and drink. I finally went in 2011, several years after I met my husband.
My in-laws live there. I have made six trips in total and have, naturally, taken in my fair share of touristy sites. My first few visits to Ireland over a decade ago involved hectic schedules and late nights out. Now, in my 50s, I prefer browsing in museums and visiting country towns for a more relaxed holiday.
The charms of Ireland
Though geographically near the United Kingdom, Ireland isn’t as popular a holiday destination among Singaporeans.
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But once you visit, you’ll be swept away by its quiet country towns, deep-rooted history and culture, and their charming Irish hospitality. Plus, with the euro as its currency, it is also a more affordable option than the UK with its strong British pound.
You can’t talk about Ireland without mentioning Guinness.
Affectionately known as ‘the black stuff’, the Draught version enjoyed in Ireland is different from the stout we often see consumed at coffee shops in Singapore.
The coffee shop variant is the Guinness Foreign Extra Stout, and has a bold, bitter taste, often sold in glass bottles, and stands at 5.5% ABV (alcohol by volume).
Guinness Draught meanwhile is a nitrogenated stout poured from taps in bars or sold in cans, with 4.2% ABV and has a creamy mouthfeel. Even if you’ve tried Guinness Draught in Singapore, the adage that ‘Guinness tastes best in Ireland’ is absolutely true.
If you’ve binge-watched House of Guinness on Netflix recently, you’ll be chuffed to start your Ireland trip in capital Dublin and check out the Guinness Storehouse, located at St James’s Gate in the heart of the city.
You can take a tour there and delve into the history of the drink. Of course, you’ll get to pour yourself a pint too. Try the Guinness 0.0 – a non-alcoholic version of Guiness Draught – if you don’t want alcohol. It surprisingly boasts the same great taste as the original.
Besides beer, whiskey (spelled with an ‘e’; i.e. not ‘whisky’) is also famed in Ireland. Visit the Jameson Distillery for a taste of Irish whiskey, that are generally lighter and smoother than Scotch, by checking out their tasting sessions. You’ll even get to blend your own whiskey there.
Of Vikings, rock stars, and chocolate
A fun way to see Dublin is via a Viking Splash Tour, which takes you through the city on an amphibious vehicle. What’s so exciting about this? Well, you’ll also get to don a Viking hat and roar together on command.
Your tour guide will weave in tales of the city’s Viking history while passing by sights such as the city’s Georgian area and the Grand Canal Docks. Even if you’re not interested in the country’s Viking past, I found this a good tour to get a feel of the city.
One of the free things I enjoy doing in Dublin is walking around or just sitting on a bench in St Stephen’s Green, the city’s main park, and indulging in a spot of people watching.
We usually stay at a hotel in the city centre and I love wandering through St Stephen’s Green, then down Grafton Street, just to take in the sights and sounds. It’s especially enjoyable on the rare occasion when it’s sunny.
Grafton Street is a pedestrianised street packed with restaurants, bars, stores, and buskers. From melodic singers to entertaining mimes and even a human ‘statue’ or two, it’s often listed as one of the most popular spots in the world for busking – so you know you’ll get good quality buskers here.
Busking on Grafton Street is a long-time tradition. There’s generally more action on weekends and during the morning and evening peak hours on weekdays. There’s just something about the vibe on Grafton Street that I love. Perhaps it’s the weather, the class of performers, and the cobbled streets.
While you’re at Grafton Street, pick up a coffee at Bewley’s, an Irish cafe that’s been around since 1927. You must also try Butlers Chocolate Cafe, where there’s good coffee, freshly-baked treats, and boxed chocolates that make good gifts for friends back home.
Be careful when ordering an Irish coffee, which has whiskey in it. Though it is actually a perfect way to warm up in Ireland. Do give it a try sometime – you’ll be able to find it in most bars.
For fans of ’70s Irish rock band Thin Lizzy, there’s a special treat here too. A life-sized statue of lead singer Phil Lynott sits on Harry Street, located just off Grafton Street. Snap a pic with ‘him’ before heading into the pub the statue is located in front of – it was apparently one of the bass player’s favourite spots.
A step back in time
Dublin also has several good museums. If you’re into ancient history, pop into the National Museum of Ireland at Kildare Street (one of its four locations). When I visited earlier this year, I was intrigued by exhibits from way before the Iron Age, including preserved bodies of men found in bogs.
Not every museum in Dublin is about serious things. There are also fun ones like the National Leprechaun Museum. The leprechaun is a caricature that many non-Irish associate with the country, and the museum takes its name from this folklore character.
The museum also explores other Irish myths and legends. There are plenty of quirky photo opportunities here – such as oversized furniture that make you look tiny – plus optical illusions and immersive experiences.
Also check out The Little Museum of Dublin, located in a Georgian townhouse. There’s more storytelling here about the history and people of Dublin.
Famous for their 29-minute guided tours, tickets sell out quickly so you need to book in advance. Fans of Irish rock band U2 should check out the U2: Made in Dublin exhibition here, where you can pose with a statue of lead singer Bono.
Scenic, world-famous coastal drives
Venturing out of Dublin is worthwhile for other unique experiences and its relaxing countryside. The gorgeous greenery – which earned it its nickname of the Emerald Isle – never ceases to amaze me, and it’s still one of my highlights when visiting Ireland. It reminds you to slow down, take in the surroundings, and enjoy a slower pace of life.
Train travel in Ireland is an easy, affordable (book early for lower prices) way to get to other cities, but you can also choose to self-drive.
If exploring Ireland via car, you’ll be rewarded with spectacular drives. The Ring of Kerry is a drive you can do over three days or just a few hours in a day, depending on what you want to cover. You’ll take in small country towns and panoramic views of lakes, valleys, and even a waterfall.
When we explored this area, it was a grey September day with heavy drizzle so getting nice photos was a challenge. Thankfully, I snagged a nice one between showers, at Ladies View, so named because Queen Victoria’s ladies-in-waiting complimented the view when they visited in 1861.
The Wild Atlantic Way drive is another popular one. It stretches from the southern city of Cork all the way up to the Northern Irish city of Derry, along the west coast of Ireland (both the Republic and Northern Ireland).
You don’t have to do the full drive. Just pick which areas you want to cover. We only did a short part of it as bad weather hampered our plans, but the areas we did see were absolutely stunning – a mix of rolling green hills, lakes, rivers, waterfalls, and castles.
A must-see on this route is the Cliffs of Moher, with spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean and an exciting 4D experience indoors. It’s worth a day trip even if you’re not doing the long drive. Its dramatic coastline – which has made it into movies and music videos – is a unique sight. Just be aware of the strong winds here.
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Ireland travel tips
- Getting there
Ireland is a short flight away from anywhere in the United Kingdom. There are several airports – such as ones in Dublin, Shannon, Cork, and Knock – easily accessible from London, so decide which part of Ireland you want to discover then choose the nearest airport. Airlines such as Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar also fly to Dublin from Singapore through a transfer.
The best time to visit Ireland is probably in May or August-September. You’ll avoid the summer crowds (and prices) of June-July, plus the weather is warmer than at other times and days are longer. It’s definitely a more fruitful holiday when it only gets dark at 10pm-11pm.
- Weather
One important thing to note about Ireland is its weather. Grey skies and heavy drizzle seem ever-present, plus the wind can be harsh. Even if visiting during spring and autumn, you should bring a waterproof winter coat, especially if you’re driving to more rural areas. Even in summer, temperatures don’t often go above the low 20 degrees Celsius – it’s a ‘heatwave’ when it does.
Also, umbrellas don’t have much use because of the strong winds. Pack a raincoat instead.
- Driving
Driving in Ireland is easy as the highways are well-maintained, with clear signs. Plus, they drive on the same side of the road as we do in Singapore.
The only times I’ve been stressed while driving in Ireland is along country roads, which can be full of bends and are often tiny two-way roads that can barely fit two cars at the same time. So be careful if you’re going off the main highways. The smaller roads also don’t have many street lights, which means they aren’t great for night driving.
Also note that many car rental companies offer mostly manual cars. You might want to book early to snag an automatic car if you haven’t driven a manual one in a long time.
- Food & drink
When dining in the mornings in Ireland, order an Irish breakfast, which is usually made up of sausages, bacon, eggs, baked beans, tomatoes, and black and/or white pudding. It’s served with Irish soda bread – which uses baking soda instead of yeast – and Irish butter, often cited as the best in the world as it’s super creamy. It’s a hearty meal that will keep you full way after lunch time.
If popping into a pub for a meal, soup is a good lunch option as it isn’t too filling and will warm you up. It’s usually served with a slice or two of soda bread, alongside more delicious butter.
A pub is also a great place to spend an evening. Do note that many pubs don’t serve food at night so check in advance if you’re planning a meal.
You’ll find ‘traditional’ pubs littered all over the city and it’s hard to pick a bad one. Most of the pubs with live music at night advertise at the door or on their website. So pick one you fancy, grab a drink, and enjoy the Irish nightlife with a drink in hand.
