Ireland is enjoyable for many reasons: the cool weather (even in July); the sparse population (both of locals — more than eight times as many people live in England — and of tourists — there’s never a real crowd issue); and the joyful people (good-humored and easy-going). Another bonus is that in Ireland, as I like to say, I enjoy the sensation that I’m understanding a foreign language. What is it about Ireland that brings you back?
I’ve just wrapped up two weeks in Ireland with Rick Steves’ Europe Tours. Here are some of the highlights of my trip.
I love a good sheepdog demonstration. While traveling through the British Isles with Rick Steves’ Europe Tours, I’ve seen them in the Scottish Highlands, in North Wales, and now here, in South Ireland.
Our Best of Ireland in 14 Days Tour bus stopped at the Kissane Sheep Farm. John Kissane’s family has raised sheep here for five generations, and now his little son is at his side, learning the trade. We got to know the family, learn of their livelihood, and watch highly-strung sheepdogs race around according to John’s call.
As one of the brothers sheared a sheep effortlessly, he told us the wool industry is so bad these days that the farm survives only with the help of money generated by showing off the tradition to visiting tourists. While they normally do demonstrations for tours, individuals can call and arrive when a demonstration is scheduled and, for a small fee, join in.
You probably don’t think of gorgeous Art Deco stained glass when you think of Ireland…unless you’ve seen windows by Harry Clarke. When in Dingle or Cong, don’t miss his sweet, jewel-like images enlivening the windows of churches lucky enough to have his work.
There are plenty of “falconry exhibits” around Europe where you can watch the trainer work with his birds. But at Ireland’s School of Falconry at Ashford Castle (near Cong, in the west of Ireland), each member of our tour group got to actually feed and flip the bird…twice! Caryn’s face shows the both intimate and intense experience we had getting to know our hawks.
The streets of Ireland come with a fun and positive energy. Here’s the scene in Dublin.
In Ireland, you never know when you’ll be blindsided by something clever or funny…like when it came time for me to give back some of that beer in my favorite Dingle pub.
This is Day 78 of my “100 Days in Europe” series. As I travel with Rick Steves’ Europe Tours, research my guidebooks, and make new TV shows, I’m reporting on my experiences across Europe. Still to come: England, Scotland, Germany, Switzerland, and more. Thanks for joining me here on my blog and via Facebook.