Doolin, County Clare, Ireland by Peter Gorman

Feel it with your hand and you’ll realize that its almost bathwater warm. There is sun and warmth on the west coast that is not often seen in Dublin. It gets hot in the afternoon and feels like summer in the US. As great as this is, it is not the only reason to see Doolin.

Doolin is known for its traditional Irish music, all year round. It is more frequent in the summer during tourist season, but worth checking out. O’Connor’s is a warm, cozy place where the musicians sit in a booth near the front door and play all evening. The pub was packed in June and serving up food as fast as they could put it out. Naturally we had fish and chips and Irish stew, which was delicious.

Gus O’Connor’s Pub, Ireland by Carlos Mejía Greene

We met a couple from Atlanta, GA, one of which was originally from northern Ireland. She sang like an angel and knew every folk song they sang, and there were way too many to count. Her husband was as clueless as we were about the lyrics.

We had such a good time we stayed very late, and eventually the guitarist played “Thank God I’m a Country Boy” by John Denver, the only song we knew, and we sang loudly which I blame on the Guinness. It’s better in Ireland.

The friend from Northern Ireland said, “It’s all about the craic.” This is pronounced “crack” and means fun, gossip, news and entertainment. Without the craic, what have you got? It’s found in pubs.

Live Music at O’Connor’s Pub, Ireland by Emily OS

Craft shops in Doolin are worth a look too, and the natural beauty of the area with old stone walls in the pastures is very picturesque. The Village Crafts Shop, owned by Gus and Maeve, has woolens, tweeds and the like where we bought Irish sweaters that actually smelled like sheep. They were not processed by some factory; they were handmade locally and will last forever. The color is natural and not whitened; they’re warm and remind us of Doolin.

We stayed at a family-owned B&B and the owner found out that my wife was a professional jazz guitarist, so the jam was on. It was a nice country cottage with good amenities, much like others in the area, and the owners were friendly. It was an all around great experience.

Kevin Caldwell wrote this article for DublinTempleBarHotels.com who help travelers find hotels near Temple Bar in Dublin.

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Poulnabrone Dolmen, County Clare, Ireland by Kglavin

Of course, Ireland has a worldwide reputation, and everyone has his or her own ideas of what the country represents. The best of Ireland for you will largely depend on your personal reason for visiting this special country. You may be going for the breathtaking scenery, the richness of its history and antiquities, its wealth of literary tradition, or indeed for its unique and world-renowned pub scene. Whatever you want from Ireland, you will find it, as long as you know where to look.

If it is the antiquity of Ireland that attracts you, you should head for Bru Na Boinne in County Meath, a historic landscape resembling a necropolis, full of prehistoric monuments. One of the most awe-inspiring is Newgrange, a stone age passage tomb. Then, a visit to the Burren in County Clare can satisfy your longing for stunning scenery as well as ancient monuments. This limestone plateau, known as one of the weirdest landscapes in the world, contains a wealth of ancient monuments, including a stone age fort and the spectacular Poulnabrone Dolmen. Less ancient, but still breathtaking, the Rock of Cashel is one of Ireland’s most amazing medieval castles.

Rock of Cashel, Ireland by RX-Guru

On the other hand, those who are attracted to the pub scene should head for the village of Doolin in County Clare, known as the center of Ireland’s music, which of course is the heart of the country’s pub culture. Alternatively, to experience the pub scene at its best, try Galway city, where an even Dubliners flock for the weekend to soak up the pub atmosphere. Galway is also the base for trips to scenic Connemara and the Aran Islands.

Lovers of Ireland maintain that every season of the year has its charms. Winter is good for those on a budget, but the weather can be atrocious, while many suggest you should avoid the peak summer season because of the crowds. For most people, the favorite month is May, followed by September, when the crowds are absent and the weather is often at its best. But the important thing is that you go, and see this very special country for yourself.

If you are planning to visit places other than Ireland, visit http://www.sglta.org/.

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Cliffs of Moher, Ireland by Bjørn Christian Tørrissen

The O’Brien’s Tower is a popular stopping point for those wishing to see the Cliffs of Moher. It was in 1835 when Sir Cornelius O’Brien built the famous tower as a means of impressing a lady. People who climb up to the top of the tower can be afforded some of the most awe-inspiring views imaginable.

The name of the cliffs is derived from the fort that was built hundreds of years ago at Hag’s Head. Fort Moher was still standing back in 178 when it was first mentioned to have existed. However, the old fort was torn down back in 1808 in order to make a tower in the area.

There are more than thirty thousand birds, spanning 20 species that call the Cliffs of Moher their home. People who visit the area will be able to see the Atlantic Puffin which thrives in the area surrounding Goat Island. The other popular birds that live along the cliffs include hawks, gulls as well as guillemots.

The Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience is the welcoming center for those who chose to visit the cliffs. Designed to be environmentally responsible, the entire welcome center makes use of renewable energy. The heating is provided by geothermal means and the power is from solar panels in the roof.

While it may cost to visit the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience, it is worth the small price. Inside there are a number of exhibits that are dedicated to the cliffs, their history and the life along them. You can even arrange to take a ferry trip along the base of the cliffs so that you can view them from the Atlantic Ocean.

So if you are planning on visiting Ireland, then you have to stop by and check out the Cliffs of Moher.

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