Ireland lives in everyone’s hearts whether they know it or not! Who among us has not immersed themselves in Yeats or Oscar Wilde on a winter morning? Or grooved to U2? Or dreamed of doing a pub hop in Dublin? This magical country, dubbed by Lonely Planet as the World’s Friendliest’ is calling out not just to be seen, but to be experienced. Like the Masters who lived, breathed and brought it alive in our collective imagination, cultural Ireland is a destination like no other. Here are some reasons why you should save and plan that trip now.
Literary Ireland
For the literature buff, there is no end to the treasures Ireland has to offer- from the landscapes of Narnia to St Patrick’s Cathedral where Jonathan Swift served as Dean to the Dublin landmarks immortalised by James Joyce. You could seek out the birthplaces and hangouts of the Irish literary giants from Seamus Heaney to John Banville; reserve a place to the West Cork Literary Festival or ponder over why humorous 5-line verses are named after Limerick City in Ireland.
Musical Ireland
If music is what makes your world go round, there is no better pilgrimage than to Ireland. The country is home to Besides U2, Sinead O’Connor, Van Morrison and Enya among others. The best way to immerse yourself in the musical scene is to book a self-driven tour that will allow you to take in traditional Irish music all the way from Dublin to Killarney and Galway. Or plan your trip to coincide with one of the popular music festivals of which Ireland boasts quite a few through the year.
Taking In The Art Scene
Taking a short 3-5 day art course in Ireland is a great way to not just hone your skills or stoke a passion; it also lets you partake of the cultural vibe of a city that has produced more than its fair share of known names in the art scene. While in Dublin, don’t forget to take a tour of the Irish Museum of Modern Art and National Museum of Ireland. The Hugh Lane Gallery, Chester Beatty Library and Jam Art Gallery are other must-do’s.
Foodies Paradise
Whether you fancy haute cuisine in a Michelin star restaurant or the freshest sea food by a quaint Irish beach, the food scene in Ireland will not disappoint. A literary pub crawl of Dublin is on many a bibliophile’s secret wish list. If you are taking a self-driven tour of the country, it could be as much about the iconic restaurants that pepper every city as it could be about history, music or culture! Don’t miss out on traditional soda bread and Irish stew while you are it.
Celebrating Culture
The Irish love to celebrate, whether it is Ulysses or Bram Stoker, Harvest or Ploughing. There is a festival dedicated to each of these. But as long as you are planning a visit, why not to the biggest of them all in a city that is all set to be the European Cultural Capital 2020? The Galway International Arts Festival allows you to savour the best of Irish music, art, theatre, opera and street performances in a medieval city that also allows you to sample some incredible food and landscapes along with the heady cultural cocktail.
Allow Ireland to take over your imagination. It will be worth it. Remember to check out, https://www.chill.ie/ for all your safe travel insurance needs. Chill has been kind enough to share the eBook below with us – don’t forget to share your #CulturalDrives on social media as well!
Irish Cultural Drives
