Tips to discover Ireland in an authentic way and travel on the road in an unusual month. Ready to get to know this wonderful land?
THEIreland is a country to get lost in, where its green meadows, breathtaking skies ranging from blue to gray, purple to rainbow, and its black-faced sheep never tire you!
In my head Ireland was a boring country, where you can only see green meadows… and instead I discovered that those simple green meadows never get bored!
In fact, we left for ours trip to Ireland a bit by chance and a bit fascinated by the photo on the cover of the Lonely Planet… precisely bright green meadows and intense blue skies. I still remember we were in the bookstore looking for inspiration for ours trip in october and we didn't know where to go… until our eye fell on the cover of the guide of Ireland and it was love at first sight! So Ireland was!
Ireland in October
October is a bit unusual month to go to Ireland, but we thought that in this land it always rains so July or October wouldn't change much, and then it turned out to be an ideal choice because we were able to enjoy the magnificent Irish landscapes without any other, have significantly lower costs compared to the summer and the first week we hardly saw a drop of rain ... but so many rainbows!
Ireland on the road
We set out to organize ours traveling trip, so we opted to rent a car, because yes, there are also many trains, but they do not allow you to reach those more isolated villages that are the most characteristic and that have remained in our hearts!
For the accommodations we chose the typical b & b whenever we could and small hostels with private rooms for cities like Dublin e Galway. Even b & bs remain in your heart and thanks to the warmth and care of the accommodations and the owners you always feel at home.
Not to mention the "irish breakfast”That prepare you carefully every morning.
So after planning each stage we left for what would have been one of the journeys we are most fond of!
I could write pages and pages about Ireland, about the reasons why it should absolutely be visited, about the places to visit, but I have selected for you three absolutely unmissable destinations and out of the usual itinerariesi.
Here are the three destinations that you cannot risk losing in Ireland:
1. Westport and a walk to Croagh Patrick
Westport is a typical small town on the west coast where you can stay in a typical b & b (we stayed at Killary House b & b, excellent !!) and start the day with a rich Irish Breakfast, which you will need to face the ascent of Croagh Patrick, the sacred mountain to the Irish and Ireland's highest peak.
To get to the top it takes a long walk (3/4 hours round trip) but it is worth all the effort, because from the top you will see an ocean of clouds and light below you! An unforgettable sight opens to your sight when you reach the top (and there will be a few black and white goats to keep you company): theClew Bay ocean with small sandy islets, reflecting the typical Irish sky full of clouds, each different from the other.
2. The Aran Islands in tandem
A place that has stopped in time. No cars, very few buildings and unspoiled nature. It is worth a bike ride to see thePurest Ireland, rocks overlooking the sea, green meadows, white beaches and maybe even to be able to buy a wool garment produced on site!
3. Allihies, a place out of this world
The last village at the end of the Beara Peninsula, where you arrive only after a long journey where you are convinced that you are lost. And instead here is a row of colorful houses (including the delicious Seaview Guesthouse where we stayed), a gas station and a pub and that's Allhies.
You will find theO'Neill's Bar & Restaurant, the most characteristic pub in all of Ireland, with fish & chips, great beer and animated by locals who gather to play Irish music… and will probably try to get you involved too! You can then end the evening with a good glass of whiskey.
