4 Top Reasons To Visit Ireland Right Now!

Travels with Bibi is super excited to be flying to the Emerald Isle next week! The plan is to soak in the ancient history, drive the Wild Atlantic Way coastlines, photograph beautiful landscapes, and get to know all forty shades of green this island has to offer.

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This journey has been planned for several months and I must admit, I’m not so secretly yearning to sip on an authentic Guinness!

Ireland is one of the most inviting and beautiful European countries, which explains why people love to visit there. It’s home to friendly people, many pubs, great food, unique scenery, and plenty of things to do.

Here are the 4 top reasons to visit Ireland right now!

Rich in History

Ireland has a rich history dating back to prehistoric times, making it a top destination for historians and enthusiasts.

Did you know that my undergraduate degree is in history? It’s weird that I teach math instead of history, isn’t it? Ultimately, my math nerdiness won out!

Anyway, Ireland is home to magnificent castles, museums and other historical sites, a true indication of the country’s rich history.

Of course, there will be a visit to Blarney Castle and I will also be visiting Bunratty Castle, which was built in 1425!

Medieval Banquets are held there year-round, so stay tuned for great photos of what the full castle experience is like.

Rich in Music, Culture & Dances

Ireland is popular for its Irish music, rich culture and love for live performances. Traditional Irish music is played at least once every week, making it one of the most sought-after destinations in Europe.

Pub sessions are now the home for much of the Irish traditional music, which takes place at informal gatherings in country and urban pubs.

Visit Ireland’s Vibrant Cities

Ireland is home to many vibrant cities such as Galway, Cork, Belfast and Dublin. The country booms with a busy night life and boasts high-class restaurants featuring some of the best dishes the country has to offer.

Located along the Irish Sea, Dublin is the capital city of Ireland and has luscious parks, elegant architecture, lively bars and restaurants to keep guests busy during their visit.

Due to its location by the sea, Dublin also offers many recreational opportunities from beaches, to sailing, to kitesurfing, to kayaking and paddleboarding.

On the other side of the island, Galway has a busy lifestyle to accommodate both locals and visitors.

Ireland is also home to snow-capped mountains, wildlife, inland waterways, beautiful sandy beaches and natural landscape with breathtaking views, making it a top global destination.

And speaking of mountains…..the number one reason for heading to Ireland this summer:

Climbing Carrountoohil

In keeping the tradition of climbing mountains while on summer break alive, I will be making a summit attempt on Carrauntoohil, the highest peak in Ireland.

Carrauntoohil, the tallest of the Macgillycuddy’s range stands at a height of 3,406 feet (1,038metres). It’s not a huge mountain by my typical standards but certainly deserves respect and care for anyone attempting to reach the top.

I’ve hired KerryClimbing, a local Ireland guide service, and we will be climbing via Brother O’Sheas Gully: a strenuous graded route which will take about 6.5 hrs+ while we hike about 14km in distance.

Brother O’Sheas Gully is one of the more scenic and interesting routes and only recommended for the more regular hill walker or those comfortable on extremely steep rocky ground. Involves sections of occasional scrambling over steep and airy ground and constantly challenging terrain.

Hill walker? Airy ground? I have no idea what that might entail but you can be sure there will be plenty of pictures to document the climb!

Since I want to be as safe as possible while climbing Carrauntoohil, my backpack will definitely be packed with the 10 Hiking and Backpacking Essentials. In fact, I never hike without all 10 of them!

No matter where you are hiking or backpacking, whether it’s Mt. Whitney, the highpoint of the lower 48 states in the U.S., or Mt. Kilimanjaro, the Rooftop of Africa, or perhaps Mont Blanc, the highpoint of Italy, or anywhere else in the world, be sure to always carry the 10 Essentials so that you can stay as safe as possible while on your outdoor adventure!

Mont Blanc….hmmm, not to get ahead of myself, but if I ever need the best hiking gear in Italy, I will be sure to visit here.

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Follow Travels with Bibi on Instagram and see the latest pictures from the Emerald Isle. The trip starts June 3rd! There will be many photographs and stories to tell and it’s sure to be another fantastic journey!

Have you ever been to Ireland? What was your favorite thing to see and do?

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