By L. Roberts
When planning a trip to Ireland, most people immediately think of tourist destinations like the Blarney Stone and a visit to the Guinness brewery. Though these are certainly fine traditions, there is much more to Ireland than castles and beer! Ireland has great museums, bohemian nightlife and plenty of natural wonders to explore, so be sure to get off the beaten path---and away from the pubs every now and again---to see the sights that most guidebooks probably will not tell you about.
Tourist Traps
Want to kiss the Blarney Stone? If you do, you will be waiting in a long line, only to be turned upside-down and dipped into a well to put your lips to a piece of rock that centuries of hoodlums have allegedly urinated upon. This is not exactly the type of thing that most of us would willingly seek out at home; yet somehow, because it is a part of Irish tradition and supposedly endows the kisser with "the gift of gab," it seems like a necessary part of any visitor's experience. So kiss the Blarney Stone if you must, but do not say we did not warn you!
Another prime tourist destination is the Guinness Storehouse (aka the Guinness brewery). See where your favorite Irish beer is made, and experience some of the good stuff straight from the factory floor at the end of your tour. The core of the factory is built like a pint glass, with the potential to hold 14.3 million pints if filled! Tickets are a bit expensive, at 13.50 euro for adults, but if you love your Guinness, you will not want to miss this glimpse into its production.
Blarney Stone
at Blarney Castle
Blarney
County Cork, Ireland
Tel: 353 21 4385252
www.blarneycastle.ie
Guinness Storehouse
St James's Gate
Dublin 8, Ireland
Tel: 353 1 408 4800
www.guinness-storehouse.com/en/Index.aspx
Dublin
Visit Dublin, Ireland's capital, for a multitude of sights both ancient and modern. If you are interested in history and mythology, you will definitely want to check out the Book of Kells on display at Trinity College in the Old Library. One of the oldest illuminated texts in the world, the Book of Kells is an early Latin volume of the Bible that offers beautiful calligraphy, as well as stories not included in modern versions of the Bible.
You will also find plenty of museums in Dublin, including the National Museum of Archaeology, the National Museum of Decorative Arts and History and the National Gallery. The National Museum, which houses both the Archaeology and Decorative Arts and History branches, is free to the public and offers a wide variety of ancient and modern treasures. Irish heritage, culture and history can be explored thoroughly here, and the museums offer a great starting point for anyone looking for history lessons or ideas about other places to explore throughout Ireland.
The National Gallery is similarly free of charge and gives visitors a glimpse into the artistic past and present of Ireland. With paintings from the 14th to the 20th century, Irish painters are spotlighted, though the collection also offers a large number of Italian works from Renaissance artists like Caravaggio, Fra Angelico, Mantegna and Titian. In terms of contemporary offerings, the museum also offers a National Portrait Collection, which includes Louis le Brocquy's Image of Bono (of pop band U2) along with 50 men and women who have made important contributions to the Irish cultural heritage.,
Trinity College
Old Library
College Street
Dublin 2, Ireland
Tel: 353 1 896 2941
www.tcd.ie/Library/heritage/index.php
National Museum of Ireland
Archaeology: Kildare Street, Dublin 2
Decorative Arts and History: Collins Barracks, Benburb Street, Dublin 7
Tel: 353 1 6777444
www.museum.ie/en/homepage.aspx
National Gallery
Merrion Square West & Clare Street
Dublin 2, Ireland
Tel: 353 1 661 5133
www.nationalgallery.ie
Heritage Sites
Be sure to check out Ireland's charming heritage towns of Trim, Kells and Birr, which each have their own sights and attractions.
Trim is notable for its castle, which was used in the filming of Braveheart. Trim Castle is currently a hotel, so visitors may spend the night in luxury if they choose or simply explore this ancient structure. Trim is also known for its hot air ballooning. If you have never been up in a balloon, this is a perfect place to do so, as balloon tours offer spectacular views from above.
The Abbey of Kells, associated with the infamous Book of Kells, is an ancient Celtic monastery that interests historians and Irish mythology lovers alike. Though the Book of Kells is now kept at Trinity College in Dublin, there are still a number of interesting sights to see in Kells proper, including the Tower of Lloyd, which offers great views of the countryside.
The town of Birr features beautiful Georgian period architecture, as well as Birr Castle, one of the area's oldest inhabited homes. Though castle tours are only available on special occasions, you can tour the grounds and check out the Leviathan of Parsonstown, which was the world's largest telescope until 1917.
Trim Castle Hotel
Castle Street
Trim
County Meath, Ireland
Tel: 0469483000
www.trimcastlehotel.com
Abbey of Kells and Tower of Lloyd
County Meath, Ireland
Birr Castle
Birr
County Offaly, Ireland
Tel: 353 5791 20336
www.birrcastle.com
The Real Ireland
See the real Ireland, which is often much more simple than the tourist destinations would have you believe. Free activities abound from climbing the various hills, cliffs and bluffs to getting an earful of traditional (and modern) Irish music at the nearest pub. Fit hiking types can get plenty of exercise out in the fields and climbing the royal Hill of Tara, while more laid-back personalities find solace in the pub scene, getting to know the locals and listening to great music.
Hill of Tara
Navan
County Meath, Ireland
Tel: 353 46 902 5903 (end of May to September), 353 41 988 0300 (mid-September to May)
www.heritageireland.ie/en/MidlandsEastCoast/HillofTara/
About the Author:
Laura Roberts is the editor-in-chief of Black Heart Magazine and author of the weekly sex column, "V for Vixen," at Hour.ca. She is currently working on her first book, a guide to the sexy side of Montreal.
