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The venues on ICTG
Tourism Ireland
Nature & Scenery
From bizarre lunar landscapes and the mighty Atlantic to labyrinthine caves and crystal clear waterways, discover Ireland’s breathtaking beauty
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Ireland may be known as the land that boasts 40 shades of green, but not all natural attractions shimmer a shade of emerald.. The Burren was formed around 340 million years ago at the bottom of a sea, and is an extraordinary region stretching from north Clare to south Galway. Arrestingly dramatic, the unique landscape includes miles of limestone layers cut through by meandering streams, lakes and labyrinthine caves, a phenomenally rich cultural heritage, and over 70% of Ireland’s native flora. It is also home to more than 500 ring forts and over 80 Neolithic tombs.
The bizarre lunar landscape of the Giant’s Causeway may have been caused by volcanic eruptions and cooling lava, but legend tells a different story. The Causeway (A UNESCO World Heritage Site) is a mesmerising collection of tightly packed basalt columns that run from the cliffs of the Antrim Plateau right down to the sea. Similar stones on the island of Straffa in the Scottish Hebrides led the ancients to believe that it was the work of giant Finn MacCool who made County Antrim’s Causeway as a pathway to Scotland, where a rival giant lived.
Ireland enjoys over 1,448km of spectacular coastline, surrounded by the mighty Atlantic on the west and the Irish Sea on the east. As well as towering cliffs, clear fresh waters, pristine sandy beaches, and an abundance of opportunities for the watersports enthusiast, the coastline enjoys lively fishing villages with some of the best seafood in the world. Check out Kinsale in County Cork, Dingle in County Kerry, Dunmore East in County Waterford, Roundstone in County Galway, Cushendun in County Antrim and Kilcar in County Donegal.
At 344km in length, the River Shannon is the longest river in the British Isles and one of the finest in Europe. Winding through an area of outstanding natural beauty, this unspoilt waterway flows from the Shannon Pot on the slopes of the Cuilcagh Mountains in County Cavan to Loop Head in County Clare, where it meets the Atlantic. Rich in glorious scenery, filled with prolific wildlife, and dotted with pretty villages, the Shannon Erne Waterway is the longest naviagle waterway in Europe, and is a paradise for nature lovers, boating enthusiasts and those who prefer the quiet life.
Isolated and remote, Ireland’s islands resound with mythical beauty and are excellent hideaways for those after a holiday away from it all. Many of Ireland’s islands didn’t have electricity until the 1970s and a more traditional ethos endures amongst the islanders. For a real break away from it all, try Coney Island, Tory Island, Clare Island, Rathlin and the fabled Aran Islands.
The island history
With the history of Ireland dating back as far as 6000BC, the past has truly paved the way for the island’s buoyant present and future
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Ireland is thought to have been inhabited from around 6000BC by people of a mid-Stone Age culture. And about 4,000 years later, tribes from Southern Europe arrived and established a high Neolithic culture. The best-known Neolithic sites in Ireland are the megalithic passage tombs of Newgrange and Knowth in County Meath. Both were built around 3200BC, making them older than Stonehenge in England, and the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt. Meanwhile, you can find Iron Age pagan idols built by the Celts on Boa Island in County Fermanagh, in the form of the mysterious and very well preserved Janus.
Ireland’s famous patron saint didn’t actually come from Ireland. Saint Patrick was taken prisoner from his family home in Britain by Irish raiders and was brought to Ireland to work as a shepherd. After Patrick escaped back to Britain, he had a vision from God telling him to return to Ireland as a missionary. Now credited with introducing Christianity to Ireland, relics of St Patrick’s time here can be seen all over Ireland. One of the best known is Croagh Patrick in County Mayo, where Patrick fasted for 40 days in 441AD. Saint Patrick’s remains are believed to be buried in the grounds of Downpatrick Cathedral, County Down.
The Vikings first attacked Ireland in 795AD. And in 837AD, 60 Viking Dragon warships appeared at the mouth of the Liffey. Five years later, Dublin was taken, but the Vikings were attacked by the local Irish and fled. They returned 17 years later under Olaf the White and made a permanent settlement at Dyflinn (later to be Dublin). The King’s Palace stood on the present Dublin Castle site and part of the town’s defences can still be seen at the Undercroft in Dublin Castle.
The latter half of the 19th century was a period of tragedy in Irish history. Ireland was struck by the Great Famine caused by a potato blight that struck crops over a four-year period from 1845-49. Over a million of the population died from starvation, while other fell prey to diseases. Over two million people emigrated to the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia. And between 1848-1950, over six million Irish fled the land. Now the Irish diaspora is thought to contain over 80 million people scattered all over the globe. To learn more about the famine, visit the Ulster American Folk Park in Omagh, County Tyrone; The Famine Museum in Strokestown Estate, County Roscommon; The Cobh Heritage Centre and the Famine Commemoration Centre in Skibbereen, both in County Cork.
Modern Ireland now enjoys more immigration than emigration. Thanks in large part to the boom of the Celtic Tiger economy in the 1990s, the Ireland of the 21st century is a vibrant, culturally rich and ethnically diverse country with an entirely youthful and optimistic outlook – over half the population is under 30, after all!
Culture
The Irish culture has taken thousands of years to develop, so cherish every moment of your cultural discovery
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The Irish love traditions. So much so, in fact, that the country is full of them – from eating colcannon (a mixture of cabbage and mashed potatoes) on Hallowe’en to wearing something green on St Patrick’s Day. Two of the most enduring and internationally famed, however, are traditional music and Irish dancing. Traditional music can be heard all over the country from city centre pubs to rural festivals.
The bodhrán, which is like a hand-held drum, is one of the most popular instruments in Irish music, along with the fiddle and the tin whistle. Irish dancing is fiercely competitive and taken very seriously with provincial, national and international championships. If you want to have a go yourself, catch a céili, where everyone joins in together.
Northern Ireland also has its own unique Ulster-Scots culture, which is prevalent throughout the counties and is often expressed through music and dance. The Lambeg Drum, fiddle, fife and flute are just some of the melodic accompaniments to sessions of Highland Dancing, Scottish Country Dancing, Ulster-Scots Square and Country Dancing. And with Ulster-Scots cultural events springing up all over the place, you can watch from the sidelines or give it a whirl yourself.
The Irish like a good laugh. Joke-telling and high-brow teasing is part of daily life in Ireland, so it’s no wonder that a new generation of Irish comedians is gaining an international reputation. Watch out for names like Dylan Moran, Ed Byrne, Ardal O’Hanlon, Dara O’Briain, Tommy Tiernan and Kevin Gildea. For a pure comedy-fest, check out the Smithwicks Cat Laughs Comedy Festival in Kilkenny or the Bulmers Comedy Festival in Dublin.
The Irish excel at the one-liner. From comedians to playwrights everyone’s got something to say: "True friends stab you in the front" Oscar Wilde, author "If it was raining soup, the Irish would go out with forks" Brendan Behan, author "Do not do unto others as they should do unto you; their tastes may not be the same" George Bernard Shaw, playwright "Being Irish I, have an abiding sense of tragedy, which sustains me through temporary periods of joy" W B Yeats, poet.
Irish history is rich with myths and legends. From romantic tales of warriors to ancient saints to fairy lore, the Celtic myths are at the very core of Irish culture. Some of Ireland’s most famous tales centre around the Children of Lir, who were turned into swans by their stepmother; the great warrior Cú Chulainn; and one of the greatest Celtic heroes, Finn McCool, who gained wisdom when he was young by tasting the salmon of knowledge and, as an adult, triumphed over giants.
The pub lies at the heart of cultural, social and musical life in Ireland. Not just places to have a drink, in an Irish pub you can philosophise on the meaning of life, ruminate on global politics, listen to a poetry reading, tap your feet to a traditional session, feast on delicious food or just enjoy the quiet settling of a pint of Guinness in front of a crackling fire. Sit at the bar if you fancy chatting to the locals, or hole yourself up in one of the old snugs – private little spaces, which were historically designed just for the ladies. Irish pub etiquette: Pints are also known as “jars” and “scoops”, but always ask for a pint, NEVER a scoop. Instead, scoop is used conversationally as in “do you fancy a few scoops?” or “would you like another jar?” Guinness takes a few minutes longer than beer to settle, so your barman isn’t just being slow, he’s actually doing things properly. And when you get your pint, make sure to leave it to settle for a few minutes, too. It’ll taste all the better for the wait.
Food & Drink
In the last decade, Ireland has made a giant gastronomic leap. A new crop of young chefs are turning high-quality, homegrown ingredients into sophisticated and unique meals, and new restaurants are popping up all the time in our cities and villages alike. Choose between good value traditional food in the numerous pubs, light, modern cuisine in our cafés or the best in international gourmet food in our restaurants.
Imagine yourself strolling through an array of colourful food markets on a lazy weekend morning, tasting as you go! Ireland’s unpretentious approach to food expresses itself in the vibrant and colourful farmers’ markets, which are now a feature in towns around the country. Here, you will find the best in local produce, from organic fruit and vegetables to handcrafted cheese and freshly caught seafood to tempting cakes and breads.
But if you want to take your love for food that one step further you can enroll in one of the highly rated cookery schools around the country. Relax in beautiful idyllic surroundings while learning to cook both traditional and international dishes under the watchful eye of the country’s most notable chefs.
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