Impression: Ireland is gorgeous. It is idyllic. It is bewitching with its rolling green hills and quaint buildings. Everywhere you turn there is something breathtaking or compelling to behold. The harmony in the architecture and scenery makes it stunning.
Food: The food is just delicious. There are soups at every restaurant and pub, and they are generally pureed into a creamy rich texture. And they are ALL fantastic. The Irish bread is an interesting whole grain bread. It is quite moist and appears to contain buttermilk (upon further research). As you would expect the food is unfussy but hearty. The Irish stew and shepherd’s pie are the most famous dishes of course, and they did not disappoint.
People: The Irish people are friendly and real and hardy.
High Points:
- Every gas station that we stopped at had an unbelievable array of delicious foods! It was truly unfathomable.
- The highways were pristine and lined with hedges and hills sufficient to shield the countryside from its less-than-pleasing aesthetic and noise. But very dull. For the most part, you can’t see the countryside.
Recommended:
Hotels:
- Lyath Estate Hotel and Conference Center, Kilkenny
- The Westbury, Dublin
- InterContinental, Dublin
Restaurants:
- Matt the Millers, Kilkenny (Music Pub & Restaurant)
- The Sidecar Bar at The Westbury, Dublin (Elegant Bar)
- The Market Bar, Dublin (Lively Tapas Bar)
- The Barge, Dublin (Gastro Bar)
- Joe Watty’s, Aran Islands (Pub & Seafood Bar)
- The Munster Bar, Waterford (Cozy Pub)
- The Dáil Bar, Galway (Vibrant Pub)
Sites:
- Dublin Pedal Tours (Bike Tour)
- The Aran Islands
- Galway