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Ireland Vacations: Literature & Guinness
From emerald green glens to literary Dublin, Ireland offers days of culture and nature, toasted with a glass of Guinness. Dublin is wonderfully walkable. Take a day stroll to Trinity College, tour the Guinness Storehouse, and end your day with another glass at a pub. Celebrate your own Bloomsday (in honor of Leopold Bloom, the main character of James Joyce’s celebrated Irish novel, Ulysses), exploring the city’s literary landmarks.
Ireland at a Glance
Currency: Euro (€)
Tipping Customs: 10-15%, if no service charge is added.
Language: English
Popular Drink: Guinness
Must Eat: Corned beef
Power Up: Type G (3-prong plug) 230 V
Weather: Temperate, but rainy. Pack an umbrella.
Best Time to Visit: Year-round. Popular times include St. Patrick’s Day, Bloomsday, and September brings oyster-lovers to Galway.
Top Things to Do in Ireland
Create Your Own Bloomsday in Dublin
James Joyce’s Ulysses is set in Dublin; whether you arrive on June 16 (the day on which the book is set) or another day entirely, stop by Eccles Street, and visit the James Joyce Center.
Land of Castles and Royal Ruins
Drive the Irish countryside in search of castles and ruins (top picks include the Norman Carrickfergus Castle, Trim Castle, Dunluce Castle, Ashford Castle, and Bunratty Castle, for a medieval feast).
Colonies of Seabirds at the Cliffs of Moher
These 700-foot cliffs offer views of the Atlantic Ocean and nesting seabirds.
Kiss the Blarney Stone for the Gift of Eloquence
Follow a 200-year tradition of literary masters and legends: kiss the Blarney Stone in Blarney Castle and leave inspired.
Hike Killarney National Park
Wander through groves of ancient oak woods, see towering mountains, and discover the landscape of Irish legends.
