Have you met Ian?
Where were you born?
Dublin , Ireland
When did you start RIT?
I started RIT in 2001. I felt at this time there was a need for a specialist selling Ireland. At that time you had to contact a company that not only sold Ireland, but several other destinations around the world. I saw this as an opening in the market, a niche operator and here we are 20 years successful later.
With all of your experience, what have you learned throughout the years?
Focusing on one destination gave us the opportunity to hone our expertise and present a great product, really well. As our team grew over the years, we learned that investing in a knowledgeable staff was key to a solid foundation and a successful operation.
RIT is a family business at heart. What does that mean to you?
Starting a small business required long hours, and weekends were spent catching up on paperwork. Our kids were often playing in the office and eventually began helping with filing, mailing, ticketing and many other tasks. Family road trips in Ireland reviewing accommodations and attractions organically led to product knowledge and an interest in a working role. Our kids have a passion for both Ireland and the family business, and for me this means the long term continuity of what has been my passion.
If someone could only go to Ireland once in their lifetime, what itinerary should they take?
Our 15 day Shamrock Royal coach tour would be my favourite way for people to experience the magic of Ireland. It is a first class, leisurely paced journey highlighting the culture, history, amazing people and the stunning beauty of the Emerald Isle. I would certainly recommend this to first time visitors.
What sets RIT apart?
Our superior product knowledge and exceptional staff both in Canada and Ireland give RIT a serious competitive advantage.
If you could buy only one souvenir, what would it be?
There are always bags of Tayto cheese and onion chips in my suitcase.
Ireland is just a short hop away from Canada – just under 6 hours. It is a small country about 3 hours wide and six hours long by car. It now has some of the best locally grown farm to table cuisine in the world.
Are there any hidden gems in Ireland you would recommend?
A visit to Howth Harbour in Dublin, near where I grew up. Fresh fish of the boats, restaurants, pubs and music and stunning cliff walks to build up an appetite. Step back in time and be sure to stop and enjoy the quaint towns and charming villages along your way.
Outlander Trail
Join us on Outlander adventure, designed especially for the fans of all things Jamie & Claire.
You’ll be following in their footsteps, visiting locations which have been used during the filming of the long awaited Outlander Series, as well as locations which would have inspired Diana Gabaldon in writing her fabulous book series.
Share this unique and special experience with Outlander fans from around the world, discuss your favourite quotes from the books and soak up the mystic and romantic atmosphere of Scotland!
Day 1
Leaving Edinburgh you follow the trail of some of the film best known locations featured in the Outlander TV Series. Heading north to Inverness our first visit will be the charming village of Culross, the fictional village of Cranesmuir and the home of Geillis Duncan and her ill-fated husband Arthur. Exploring the towns cobbled streets is like taking a step back in time. Look carefully and you may even find Claire’s herb garden behind the impressive, historic Culross Palace.
We continue to the small town of Falkland to revisit one of the first scenes of the show where Falkland substitutes for 1940s Inverness. See if you can recognize the familiar sights such as Mrs. Baird’s Guesthouses (The Covenanter Hotel) and the Bruce Fountain where Claire sees the ghost of Jamie. In the early afternoon we stop at the Newtonmore Highland Folk Museum, which houses replicas of 18th century turfroofed Highland crofts, making it a perfect choice for the period scenes. Heading North again we pass Aviemore where you may recognise the stunning hilly and wooded area of Tulloch Ghru which appears during the journey Claire takes with Jamie and the Highlanders from Craigh na Dun to Castle Leoch? Arriving in Inverness later that afternoon.
Day 2
Our day starts by visiting majestic Glen Affric, one of Scotland’s most breathtaking Glens of lochs and mountains that’s surrounded on all sides by the stunning Caledonian pine forest. This is big Scottish countryside, ideal for our Jamie to hide! In the afternoon we visit Culloden which plays such an important role in Scottish history and the Outlander books. It’s at the Culloden Battlefield where Claire and Jamie said their tearful goodbyes, before Jamie joined the Jacobite army to fight for the Stuarts. You have the opportunity to explore the visitor centre and site and pay tribute to those who lost their lives at the last battle fought on British soil.
Later you take a short drive to the ancient standing stones at Clava Cairns, which could have given ‘Herself’ the inspiration for Craigh na Dun. We return back to Inverness with time to explore the town and enjoy the city for another evening.
Day 3
A short drive this morning will take us to Beauly, the site of Beauly Priory and the tomb of Lord Lovat in the heart of Clan Fraser lands. Beauly priory is a beautiful 13th century ruin and, according to Diana Gabaldon’s book, is where the Lovat Frasers are buried. From here we continue to Castle Leod, seat of the Clan Mackenzie, where we have the opportunity to enjoy a relaxing walk in the grounds while your guide tells you some of the history of the Clan and Castle. The Castle has a striking resemblance to how Diana Gabaldon has described Castle Leoch, however she had never heard of the castle prior to writing Outlander.
In the afternoon, you have the opportunity to sample ‘The Water of Life’ with a whisky distillery tour and tasting. There might even be time to look out for the Waterhorse at Loch Garve! We then continue along the entire length of Loch Ness – another opportunity for some monster spotting before arriving in Fort William for our overnight stop.
Day 4
We travel to Glenfinnan this morning to visit the monument which commemorates the beginning of the last Jacobite rising. It stands framed amid typically spectacular Highland scenery at the head of Loch Shiel with sweeping glens as a backdrop. We continue through magnificent Glencoe, one of Scotland’s most famous and scenic glens. From here we cross the rugged Trossachs area and onto Doune Castle near Stirling. The Castle which is an extensive ruin featured as Castle Leoch in the TV programme, home to Colum MacKenzie and his clan in the 18th century episodes. We return to Edinburgh later that afternoon with a photo stop at Blackness Castle on the banks of the Firth of Forth.
For full tour details, click here.
Ireland's Ancient East
New for 2020, this intimate four day Sightseeing Tour takes you through the heart of Ireland’s Ancient East. Through the rugged mountains of Wicklow, to the historic Viking town of Waterford and the picturesque beauty of Cork, you’ll discover some of Ireland’s hidden treasures and bucket list stops!
Glendalough Valley
The Glendalough Valley is one of the most beautiful corners of the whole country and the epitome of Ireland’s rugged, romantic landscape. It was carved out by glaciers during the Ice Age and the two lakes, from which Glendalough gets its name, were formed when the ice eventually thawed. The Valley is home to one of Ireland’s most impressive monastic sites founded by St. Kevin in the 6th Century. It is, despite its immense popularity, a deeply tranquil and spiritual place.
Kilkenny Castle
Built over 800 years ago, few buildings in Ireland can lay claim to a longer history of continuous occupation. The Castle’s interiors today capture the nineteenth-century lifestyle of the Butlers of Ormonde, while the architectural elements of the building and its historic landscaped parkland reflect a more varied history that spans the castles 800 years.
Waterford
Viking city, Waterford, home to the world-renowned Waterford Crystal. Discover the blowing room first hand, where you’ll watch skilled artisans trasnform blobs of red-hot molten glass into delicate crystalware.
Cork City
Locals, who cheerfully refer to Cork City as the ‘real capital of Ireland’. The city is a perfect mix of new and traditional, with snug pubs with live-music sessions, artisan coffee bars, restaurants dishing up top-quality local produce, and a genuinely proud welcome from the locals.
Charles Fort
One of Europe’s best-preserved star-shaped artillery forts, it was built in the 1670s to guard Kinsale Harbour, and was in use until 1921. You’ll fall in the love with both its spectcular views, and the ruins inside the walls which makes for fascinating wandering.
Kinsale
One of Ireland’s most picturesque towns, Kinsale is known for its beautiful waterfront, brightly coloured shops and homes, and most notably the food. Hailed as the gourmet capital of Ireland, we will be embarking on a fabulous foodie tour of this scenic town to try everything it has to offer. The tour brings you on a gentle stroll which wends its way through this colourful town. We will stop at various eateries in Kinsale and meet some of the local characters and producers. These people are passionate about their culinary creations and you will learn their stories and more of the history of this unique part of Ireland.
Longueville House
Longueville House is a stunning 300 year old listed Georgian Country House hidden in the heart of a 450 acre wooded estate, and is steepd in history and packed with character. Here you’ll learn about the process of making their award-winning cider, and with the entire production happening on site you could say the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree!
Irish National Stud & Japanese Gardens
Touring with a guide you’ll hear the behind-the-scenes story: stealing the show are the stallions whose racing track records enable them to command gigantic fees to cover mares. Maybe the hours-old foal you see (most are born between February and May) is destined to win the Epsom or Irish Derby.
For more details on tour inclusions and how to book a spot on Ireland’s Ancient East (there are only 16 per departure!) visit the full itinerary here.
A New Kind of Tour (Part 2)
The Best of the West tour is one of our newest, most intimate tours which takes you a little closer to the culture and history of Ireland. Take five days to explore one of Ireland’s most beautiful regions, with famous highlights like visiting Cliffs of Moher and kissing the Blarney Stone, to more “off the bean track” sites and adventures like sitting front and centre to a working sheep dog demonstration and taking in traditional live song and dance at local pubs. On a modern mini-coach, with a max of only 16 passengers, sit back and relax as your local driver and guide takes you to the heart of authentic Ireland.
Day 1: The tour beings! Leaving Dublin, we begin our journey west towards the oldest licensed distillery in Ireland – Kilbeggan. Here we’ll learn everything about making Irish Whiskey, uisce beatha – the water of life, from the bog to the bottle. From there, we head towards the River Shannon and the town of Athlone just in time for lunch at Sean’s Bar, the oldest pub in Ireland! Next up, the tiny village of Cong – made famous by the 1952 film The Quiet Man – before the scenic drive through the Maam Valley to Clifden. Tonight, we’ll be spending our evening at the Station House Hotel, built in the style of a traditional Railway utility building. For a delicious dinner made from the freshest local ingredients, we recommend dining at the old Stationmaster’s house.
Day 2: This morning we head to the bustling seaside town of Galway, along the Wild Atlantic Way. Whether you decide to do a spot of shopping, watch the buskers perform on the streets or even get cosy with a pint of plain in one of Galway’s many historic pubs, the City of the Tribes never disappoints. After lunch we visit the iconic Cliffs of Moher. Stroll along the cliff top trails, take in the tremendous views, and don’t forget to check out the visitor centre for Céad Míle Fáilte (a hundred thousand welcomes). We then make our way to Spanish Point for dinner at the Armada Hotel (where we’ll also be staying over night) with stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean. Not ready to call it quits? Top off the day with a perfect pint around a log burning fire at Johnny Burkes pub inside the hotel.
Day 3: After an Irish breakfast, we head down to the Kingdom of Kerry. With its craggy coastline, striking scenery and rich historical sites, you’re spoiled for choice in this beautiful county. Once we reach the town of Killimer, we hop onto the Shannon Ferry making the journey into County Kerry where you experience the rugged nature of land and sea as you – ahhh – breathe the fresh, salty sea air. Keep an eye out, you might be one of the lucky ones and catch a glimpse of some dolphins. Once across, we continue to Tralee where we’ll be visiting the Kerry County Museum. A stroll through the Medieval Experience reveals the streets of Tralee as they were in 1450 AD with all the sights, sounds and robust smells of a bustling community. We then make the short trip to the lakeside town of Killarney where you’ll have the afternoon and evening free to explore the town as you wish! After dinner, we recommend visiting J. M. Reidy’s for some live traditional music. Finally, it’s time for some rest at the Killarney Riverside Hotel where you’ll be staying the next two nights.
Day 4: Today we embark on one of the most scenic drives in Ireland – if not the world – the Ring of Kerry. Filled with picturesque landscapes, stunning coastlines and beautiful villages, you’ll definitely be snap happy!. For lunch we’ll be stopping in the beautiful town of Kenmare; with loads of lovely boutiques and cafes lining the streets, the choices are endless. Onward to Kissane Sheep Farm for a truly memorable sheepdog performance. You’ll get a chance to meet the sheep in their natural environment and see the amazingly skilled border collie dogs at work rounding them up! Bonus: in the spring, there’s baby lambs to meet and in the summer months you experience how the sheep are shore. After that instant trip highlight, we head through the “Jewel in Kerry’s crown” Killarney National Park. Sitting at the foot of Ireland’s highest mountain range, Macgillycuddy Reeks, and home to Irelands only wild herd of red deer, the park is truly a spectacular spot of natural beauty. We then head back to the hotel before a bit of craic at the Jarvey’s Rest, where we will enjoy a traditional Irish dinner and show. This lovely pub still contains its original wooden floors, stonewalls, beamed ceilings and open fires which all set the most perfect atmosphere for a wonderful evening of song and dance.
Day 5: Leaving Killarney today we head east towards Blarney Castle for a chance to kiss the legendary Blarney Stone and gain the gift of eloquence. However many legends there are of the origins of the stone, one thing is certain, the only way to experience the gift of the gab for yourself, is to kiss the stone! Hang about in Blarney Village for a spot of lunch and some shopping, after which we will make our way towards the Rock of Cashel. Legend has it the devil himself formed it when taking a bite out of a nearby mountain, breaking his teeth and then spitting the rock out which landed at the site in Cashel. However, the medieval buildings, built in 12th, 13th and 15th century, that sit on the rock are the true sight to behold. This sadly marks the end of the trip as we make our way back to Dublin.
For more detailed info on this tour, take a look here. If you have a question about this tour, we’re all ears.
A New Kind of Tour (Part 1)
We’re so excited to introduce a new way to take you a little closer to the culture and history of Ireland. Northern Highlights is a 5-day tour spent searching out the scenic, historic and cultural highlights of Northern Ireland. It’s a special tour not just because of the ancient castles and too-good-to-be-true scenery, but it’s our smallest, most intimate tour. A modern mini-coach, with a max of only 16 passengers, is lead by an experienced local driver/guide to take you to all the best places Northern Ireland has to offer.
Day 1: Belfast and Titantic Quarter
Departing from Dublin, we make the drive north through the Mountains of Mourne and arrive into Belfast, the capital Northern Ireland. We have a tour of the award winning Titanic Belfast experience, where you explore the shipyard, walk the decks and uncover the true level of the Titanic in the city where it all began. After the tour, there’s free time to explore the buzzing cultured city.
Spend the night at the Titanic Hotel in Belfast.
Day 2: Giant’s Causeway & Derry
We head north along the Antrim Coast for a visit to the famous Giant’s Causeway. Take a voyage back in time at this world heritage site that has been explored for centuries. Have you heard the folklore surrounding this mysterious rock formation? Next we pass through Bushmills and Portrush on the way to Derry, where we have a walking tour of the historic ‘Walled City’ – the only remaining completely walled city in Ireland
Enjoy dinner and a good night’s rest at City Hotel in Derry.
Day 3: Glenveagh National Park
Today we head west along the ‘Wild Atlantic Way’ into Donegal, where we explore the Glenveagh National Park – a remote and stunningly beautiful wilderness with rugged mountains, pristine lakes, tumbling waterfalls. We also have a tour of Glenveagh Castle, in the heart of the park.
Back to City Hotel to sleep.
Day 4: Enniskillen
This morning we depart Derry and make our way past Lough Erne and arrive in the lovely town of Enniskillen. We have a tour of the 18th Century Florence Court, where you can enjoy glorious walks around the grounds, including a pretty walled garden. Next we head to our final overnight property – one of Ireland’s most luxurious castle hotels.
Dinner & overnight at the (instant trip highlight) Kilronan Castle.
Day 5: Kells and Home
After enjoying a leisurely breakfast with time to explore and enjoy the castle grounds & spa, we head back towards Dublin with a visit the ancient village of Kells. We then make the short drive back to Dublin.
For more detailed info on this tour, take a look here. If you have a question about this tour, we’re all ears.
Have you met Joe?
As you know, Royal Irish Tours is Toronto based, but it’s their great network of Irish men and women on the ground that make it possible for RIT to make your dream holiday a reality.
One of these people is west Limerick man Joe O’Connor from Rathkeale.
A coach driver with RIT for 12 years, Joe loves Ireland and loves passing on the knowledge he has of the country to RIT customers.
“Ireland has so many aspects to it. In the midlands you have the green, lush pasturelands, then near the coast you have the small mountains,” Joe told me.
“Then in Donegal and Connemara you have the bogland and the turf that is used to heat the homes.
“In places where they have the turf, they cut it and use it.
“Then there is the Burren in Clare. It means rocky, useless land. It’s where [chief minister to King Henry VIII of England] Thomas Cromwell said, “There’s not enough timber here to hang a man, not enough water to drown a man, and not enough clay to bury a man.
“Further down into Kerry you have all the mountains. You have the Macgillycuddy’s Reeks near Killarney and Carrauntoohil, the highest peak in Ireland.
“So you’ve got so many aspects to Ireland; if you drive two hours here you get a different lanscape.
“If you drive two hours in Canada you’re basically in the same place.”
Joe likes to place guests in the culture of the regions of Ireland they visit, and uses media to do so, saying: “I’d show a film of The Quiet Man, when we’re travelling in Connemara for example, as it was filmed there.
“In Donegal I’d play Daniel O’Donnell music on the coach becaues he’s a well-known singer from there.
“In different places we play different things.”
Joe is a passionate Irishman, but when pushed on a favourite destination within Ireland he plugs Mullaghmore, Co Sligo, saying: “It’s where British statesman and naval officer Lord Mountbatten was assasinated.
“It’s a beatiful drive up there.”
Joe – ever the RIT representative – is also keen to point out the good value of the 14-day coach tours, telling me: “Of the 14 nights, you get dinner 12 nights, so people like that, because they know exactly how much it’s going to cost them.
“Once they have their money paid that’s basically it.”
Donadea Forest Park
Ireland has so much nature in its back pocket to charm you with and I’ve previously blogged about my five favourite walks near Dublin, most of which are well known on tourist trails.
However, there are many idyllic spots off the beaten track in Ireland that most visitors never get to see. One of those locations is Dunadea Forest Park, located in County Kildare.
Kildare borders Dublin to the east and is a county famous for its horse breeding, with some of the world’s best stud farms located within its borders. It’s also a county of serious beauty with hedgerows and forests dotted around the land.
Just a forty-minute drive from Dublin City Centre you can find one of my favourite spots in the county – Dunadea Forest Park.
The park covers 240 hectares of mixed woodland and was originally owned by the Bermingham family, before being bought by the Aylmers in 1550. The Aylmers gave the land to the Church of Ireland in 1935 and the state bought it in 1937, turning it into a park in 1981.
The park is filled with streams, walled gardens, towers, an old church and the original castle (now in a state of crumbling grandeur), as well as ash, oak, beech, sycamore, Norway spruce, monkey puzzle, giant sequoia and evergreen oak trees.
The main walk is the Aylmer Walk, which runs for 5.7km around the park and takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to do. But there are shorter routes around the lake and also a nature trail, which take 15 minutes and 40 minutes respectively to ramble along.
Off those main routes there are several other paths that lead into the undergrowth where you will be the only soul in sight to catch this piece of heaven on earth.
On the grounds you’ll also be able to take in a 9/11 memorial, which pays tribute to the 402 public officials who lost their lives in the terrorist attack. The memorial is a poignant replica of the Twin Towers and can be found on the Aylmer route.
There’s a coffee shop on the grounds but Maynooth village is also a short drive away and there you can find a multitude of coffee shops and restaurants to replenish your energy after visiting one of Ireland’s most beautiful, yet least known, nature attractions.
The 5 best walks close to Dublin City Centre
Bordered by Meath to the north, Kidare to the east, Wicklow to the south and the Irish Sea to the west, Dublin is beautifully positioned between four locations of natural beauty and majesty that make it an ideal location for hikers and lovers of the outdoors to get out and about and breath deep that iconic Irish air and take in the splendour of nature. I’ve lived in the city for over 20 years and putting on my hiking boots and revelling in the nature on my doorstep is one of the my favourite activities when in this wonderful city I call home.
But what are the best walks around Dublin? There are so many that are worth your time, but some are better than others. Below, I’ve picked out my top five.
1 Howth Head
Without question my favourite place in County Dublin is Howth Head. The DART commuter train takes you from the city centre to Howth village where you can amble down along the seafront, past the yachts and restaurants to the start of the Howth Cliff Walk. This gentle path leads right around Howth head lending you exalted views of Dublin Bay and the city’s two largest islands – Ireland’s Eye and Lambay. A 30-minute walk will take you to the Baily Lighthouse where you can scramble down to the cliff edge and take in the views north to the rural areas of County Dublin.
From there you can either head back the way you came to get back to Howth village, or continue around the head to loop back to the village, which will take a few hours.
A third option is to amble up to the top of the head, where you can find The Summit Inn; here you can sip on a pint before heading back down to the village.
After a walk in Howth, eating is usually my top priority and my favourite place grab some nosh is Octopussy’s Seafood Tapas in Howth village. There they serve an assortment of fresh fish and seafood caught that day by the local trawlers. A drive or DART trip back to the city at sunset bookends a perfect day in the capital.
2 Bray Head
While Howth offers the walking highlight of north Dublin, a trip south to County Wicklow and Bray Head offers the best hike south of the city.
Like Howth, you can catch the DART to Bray village and from there walk to the seafront where the trail starts to wind its way past Bray Head Hotel – which looks like a set from Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining – upwards and into the thick gorse and trees that line the head.
As you climb the trail brings you along the edge of the head affording you views back across the water northwards, with the curvature of Bray’s coast there to see in all its glory.
As you get further towards the summit, the gorse thickens and the incline steepens, just before you reach the summit, which is marked by a stone cross, erected in 1950. And the view from the top is just sensational.
On a clear day you can look north across to Dalkey, Dun Laoghaire, Dublin City, and even as far across as Howth on the far side of Dublin Bay and Malahide out beyond it.
Southwards you can see the Wicklow Mountains and just at the foot of the head you can take in Bray town and the Dublin Mountains past it.
It’s one of the best views of Dublin and the perfect place to stop, breath and think.
3 Phoenix Park
The easiest of the five walks is not near Dublin, but located right in the city itself. The Phoenix Park, located adjacent to Guinness’ St James’ Gate Brewery, is the city’s green lung. It’s the largest enclosed park in any capital city in Europe and just a short walk from the city centre, making it such an accessible place to soak up some nature. A mix of lawns, wooded areas, lakes and visitor attractions, it’s the kind of place where you can hang out at for a whole day. To find it you just have to walk west along the River Liffey until the main gates open up before you and the green spaces beam out at you from inside. There are numerous routes around the park and you can take your pick from the maps marking them as you enter.
If you rent a bike you can stop off at various sites as you go including Dublin Zoo, the Irish president’s residence Áras an Uachtaráin and the Papal Cross, which marks where Pope John Paul II spoke to a crowd of some 1.25m in 1979.
You might also be lucky enough to spot the resident deer. The park was originally conceived as a Royal deer park and the animals still roam the grounds at their leisure, often basking in the sun – or rain – in full view.
The best way to end a walk in the Phoenix Park is with a pint of Guinness brewed literally just a few kilometres across the river. Head to Ryan’s of Parkgate Street just beside the main entrance and sit back in one of the snugs. It’s one of the most authentic Victorian pubs in the city and serves, in my opinion, the best pint of stout in town.
4 Hill of Tara, County Meath
Meath borders Dublin to the north and stretches around to the east. The county, combined with Westmeath, used to form its own province historically, and was largely subsumed into the province of Leinster in the 17th century, with parts also going to Ulster.
It’s a county defined by its flatlands, famous for cattle farming and the fields that stretch on for kilometres into the distance. It’s also famous for Gaelic football, for which it has a proud tradition, having been crowned champions of Ireland seven times. 
However, it is most famous as having been home to the seat of the High King of Ireland at the Hill of Tara, the location where all the country’s kings met to discuss and debate the decisions to be taken regarding the country.
This ancient historical site has been beautifully preserved and makes a superb trip from Dublin. It’s just a 40-minute drive to the site where you can park before walking up the hill through the local church and graveyard and out onto the site itself. There you will find excellent maps and guides detailing what each mound signifies including St Patrick’s Church and the Mound of the Hostages. You can make out these structures through high grass embankments, which are as they were historically.
Having walked to the top you can take in the view out across the surrounding agricultural land of the county in all its glory.
The maternal side of my family hails from the area and since I was a small child visiting the ancient site was a moment that I knew signified so much in the history of the country; seeing where the High King proclaimed his decisions ties one to the ancient history that Ireland holds.
After your walk head into the local coffee shop and feast on some tea and scones, before heading back to Dublin, where the seat of power now lies in modern Ireland.
5 Glendalough Valley, County Wicklow
The last of the five is the furthest away but perhaps the most spectacular. An hour’s drive south of Dublin in County Wicklow lies the glacial valley of Glendalough. It’s well known as one of the most beautiful sights not just in Leinster, but in the island of Ireland. 
Monks inhabited the valley in the 6th century, and their architectural remains are still in situ on site, a short walk from the Visitor Centre, where you can park up before embarking on one of many routes through the valley. There is a plethora of walks to take, either around the lower or upper lakes, or up into the highlands of the mountains surrounding the valley. This means you can take a short 30-minute ramble, or go all-out and take a hike for four or five hours.
Personally, I like the Miner’s Road Walk, which leads you to a ruined miner’s village. From the visitor centre it’s about a three hour round trip at a leisurely pace. You get to pass the monastic settlement as well as both lakes, so you can pack a lot in.
The best part of the walk is the peace and solitude on offer. At times you can have the stretch of the valley all to yourself and you could hear a pin drop. It’s peace personified and somewhere where you can really get away from it all.
If you have time, a further 40 minutes along the road south you can find Brittas Bay, a popular beach which knocks me out every time I clap eyes on it. Surrounded by 1960s style holiday homes and palm trees, it’s an idyllic spot and affords superb views of the Irish Sea south of Dublin. Take it in on your way home, and if you managed to see all five of the walks listed here, give you yourself a pat on the back, and reward yourself with a pint of Guinness.
Galway City
Galway, a Norman city on the banks of the River Corrib, in the west of Ireland, knows how to have a good time. Due west of Dublin, the city is reached in a couple of hours’ drive and entices many a Dubliner out west to sample its superb atmosphere and nightlife.
Named the City of the Tribes, as a result of it being run by 14 tribes of merchants’ families during its Norman period, the Vikings never made a settlement there, which gives the city a unique feel of being a predominantly Norman town, unlike the other metropolises on the island. Architecturally, it’s a mix of this Norman heritage and the modern architecture that has come to pass in more recent times.
However, it is far from isolationist, with a rich history of trading between France and Spain making the city a cultural melting pot, which has continued today, as visitors from all over the world are drawn there to sample its world famous hospitality.
Bars and restaurants galore in the city centre
The heart of the city runs from Eyre Square down William Street to Shop Street to High Street to Quay Street and ends at the Spanish Arch, which is a section of the old city wall.
That group of streets is lined with bars, restaurants and coffee shops and one could write an article on those alone.
Where to stop off is a matter of personal choice as the customers spill out onto the street if the weather is clement enough and mingle as one, with the watering holes serving as pit stops for refueling.
In terms of food, one of the best restaurants in town is Ard Bia at Nimmos. Housed in an old docklands building, the location oozes character, and the food is superb, mixing local ingredients with a hipster touch. It’s not a huge establishment so make sure to book early.
From there, for a post-dinner drink, head back up the main thoroughfare of the city, see where is heaving and grab a pint. A few recommended establishments are The Front Door, The King’s Head and Tig Coili.
The West End
It’s said by the locals that the previously mentioned section is more tourist focused, and that the locals tend to drink across the bridge from the Spanish Arch in the West End. Although, I’ve always taken the approach that why not be a tourist when on holiday?
But if you do venture down to the West End, there is a fine selection of places to be merry. French brasserie, Rouge, located on Dominick Street Lower is a fantastic establishment: think low-key French food, with a great wine list in an atmospheric and beautifully designed restaurant. Add in a pianist tinkling the ivories and this is a great spot to start an evening, or even spend a whole night at.
If you manage to leave Rouge, just a few minutes’ walk away are some excellent bars. Munroe’s on Dominick Street Upper is superb, with live bands upstairs and downstairs and an eclectic mix of tourists and locals. Just around the corner is Róisin Dubh, which is another option to hear live music, and just next door is the Bierhaus, which serves a fantastic collection of craft beers and has a more chilled out atmosphere.
As you might have gathered from the above, Galway City really is about the craic and banter and getting out in the evenings, meeting people, and sampling the best food and beverages the city has to offer.
Salthill
A short drive from the city is Salthill, which after a night of celebration is a fantastic place to recover your senses. Grab a cab or drive down from Galway proper and take a stroll along the promenade, which looks out across Galway Bay, which even on a day of bad weather has a stunning vista.
When you get to the end of the beach there’s a swimming spot at Blackrock, which has lifeguards and is the best place to go for a swim. The water of the Atlantic this far north-east isn’t for the faint hearted, but if you have the inclination then go for it.
After a quick dip in the ocean there are multitude of places to warm up and have a coffee and bite to eat. The Black Cat comes highly recommended, with its modern interior and enticing menu, it’s a slice of modernism that is a very good addition to this little seaside town and a good place to kick back with some WIFI and watch the world go buy from a window seat.
Shortest walking tour in the world at O’Connor’s pub
I touched on the Norman history of the city earlier, but if you want to find out more about the town and its citizens’ history, then the best man to talk to is local historian Brian Nolan.
As well as twice daily tours of Galway City leaving from O’Connell’s Bar at 1030am and midday daily, his 50foot tour around O’Connor’s Pub in Salthill is known as the world’s shortest walking tour and gives an insight into one of the country’s most unique public houses. O’Connor’s is third generation owned and has an assorted collection of antiques and bric-a-brac that’s valued at several million euro.
Brian gives an insight into Irish, Galwegian and O’Connor’s history, in an informal and informative manner, while you sup on a creamy pint of Guinness.
Gateway to the west
Having soaked up Galway’s hospitality, the likely next stop on your itinerary is the west of the country and Connemara, arguably the most beautiful part of the island.
From Galway City, known as the gateway to the west, one is able to drive off into the heartland of Connacht to view one of countless sights of natural beauty. Connemara National Park and its bog and mountain setting should be on most visitors’ lists.
For traditional music lovers, the music and craft store in Roundstone affords the chance to buy a homemade bohran.
For my favourite view in the country, head out of Clifden to take in the Sky Road, which rises up before reaching a plateau where you can park and look down on the cottages and fields located on the edge of the Atlantic coast, where islands neighbour the mainland for several kilometres.
Kylemore Abbey, standing alone surrounded by forest and casting its reflection out on the lake before it, is one of the country’s most stunningly beautiful buildings, and a must on your to do list.
And the Inagh Valley, with fields of rock and grass stretching out in rugged beauty on either side, is another location that leaves one’s jaw dropped in appreciation if its stark beauty.
One thing is certain about a journey to Ireland, that a trip to the island nation isn’t complete without a visit to Galway and the west.
Useful Links:
Ard Bia at Nimmos
Rouge restaurant
Monroe’s Live
Roisin Dubh
Bierhaus
O’Connor’s Pub, Salthill
Kylemore Abbey
Belfast
Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland, is a city in recovery mode. From 1968 to 1998 it was embroiled in the Troubles as Unionists and Republicans battled over whether the country should remain part of the United Kingdom or join a new united Ireland.
Thankfully for all those concerned the war is over and the city is carving out a name for itself as an up-and-coming, trendy metropolis, with lots to see and do, and with plenty of bang for your buck.
The four-star Malone Lodge Hotel is a short distance from the city centre is and makes a superb choice of accommodation while in the northern capital. Located right beside the famous Queen’s University, the hotel combines good service with superb interior design, which revolves around minimal, yet homely interiors, paired with impressionist art on its walls.
Similarly, some of the city’s top attractions also offer a nod to the past, while firmly planting their best foot forward.The modern décor and feel to the hotel embodies in many ways the new Belfast and its desire to be something fresh and unique.
The RMS Titanic was built in the city, and around the docklands where the ship was built, a simply superb museum has been constructed, which tells the history of the world’s most famous shipwreck; this detailed exhibition incorporates information on the construction, interior design, passengers, journey, sinking and search for the wreck of this famous vessel, which at the time was the largest moving piece of machinery in the world.
What’s more, the museum is housed in a stunning building that is designed in the shape of four ships’ hulls, clad in metal shards. The Eric Kuhne-designed building is reminiscent of Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim Bilbao and strolling around the exterior to gaze at its metal walls is part of the experience.
Nearby in the Northern Ireland Science Park one can also visit the Titanic’s Dock and Pump House where the ship was constructed.
The scale of the dock is quite incredible to behold, and the exhibit about the pump house that filled and emptied the dry dock gives a valuable insight into the engineering feats of the Edwardian age, which paved the way for man to build bolder and better as technology advanced.
The Troubles are over, but gaining an insight into that segment of Northern Ireland’s history is worthwhile, as without understanding the conflict to a fair degree it’s hard to gain a full grasp on the nature of this fascinating country.
The Crumlin Road Gaol is an excellent place to start that education. The prison was in working use from 1845 to 1996 and during that time housed many famous figures associated with Irish history, both Unionist and Republican.
Today, guided tours of the establishment run daily and give a fascinating insight into the lives of prisoners on both sides of the political divide during their time of incarceration.
Following a tour of the gaol, another must-see in Belfast are the murals that line the Republican Falls Road and the Unionist Shankill Road in west Belfast.
This area of the city was one of the main flashpoints for the Troubles and a huge 25ft high peace wall to divide the two communities still stands today. However, while in the past the wall was covered in paramilitary murals, today artists mainly use the wall for murals unrelated to the Troubles. In fact, grants are given to artists to create art that depict peace in Northern Ireland and the wider world.
Today, both areas are safe to visit, and walking both sides of the wall to take in the art is perhaps the most interesting attraction in the city.
But it’s not only history that Belfast has to offer. It also has a burgeoning restaurant and bar scene. The Malone Lodge Hotel’s Knife and Fork Grill restaurant is the place to go for steak, where the rib eye is an excellent choice.
In Belfast’s city centre, Ox restaurant is the fine dining eatery of choice, and in fact one of the best restaurants in Ireland.
Named Best Newcomer at the 2013 Irish Restaurant Awards, Ox is the creation of chef Stephen Toman, one of Belfast’s own, and Brittany’s Alain Kerloc’h, sommelier and restaurant manager.
Together the pair have turned anold tile store into a sleek, open-plan, urban eatery, where the eye-catching design is matched by a menu which prides itself on using the best local and seasonal ingredients.
Alain has also assembled a superb wine list that will leave you in no doubt as to his excellent knowledge of both whites and reds.
Top this off with excellent service and Ox provides a dining experience that should not be missed when in the city.
Following dinner, a short stroll will bring you to the Cathedral quarter, the up-and-coming nightlife area of the city, where you can grab a drink, and chat to the locals to get their take on where Belfast is headed in 2014.
The choice is huge and having a saunter around is probably the best way to find the kind of bar you’re looking for. However, a few that stood out for me were: The Spaniard if you want good beer in an intimate setting; Bert’s Bar at the Merchant Hotel for live jazz; and the Dirty Onion for its cool design, traditional Irish music and quality banter.
So, put the culture, history, food and drink together and Belfast offers something to cater for most tastes.
The city is different to any other on the island of Ireland, due to its unique past and mix of cultures, and most importantly it has citizens that are just aching to show visitors that their town is on the up.
Useful links:
Titanic Belfast
Titanic’s Dock and Pump House
Crumlin Road Gaol
Ox restaurant
