Over the summer, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to study abroad in Dublin, Ireland for three weeks. I didn’t expect for it to feel like home as quickly as it did.
The country is small enough to travel to various parts by bus. Dublin was awesome, but there are places outside of the city that deserve recognition.
So, in honor of St. Patrick’s Day, here are my top five places to visit in Ireland.
1. Cliffs of Moher
This is an obvious place for tourists to visit, and after visiting myself, I can see why. There’s something about seeing it in person that reminds you how incredible the world is.
Fun fact: I almost fell off one of the cliffs trying to take a photo that looked like I was falling off.
2. Trinity College Dublin
I stayed and attended classes at Trinity College. Dublin itself is full of history and the college is no exception.
It housed Samuel Beckett and Oscar Wilde during their years at college. On a tour of the college, I found out that the actual bedroom that I was in was the one that Beckett stayed in which was pretty cool.
The college is also home to the Book of Kells. If you don’t know what that is, it is a collection of the four Gospels that is hand painted on vellum or prepared calfskin. You can find more information on the Trinity College website.
3. Newgrange
Newgrange is a large circular mound with a stone passageway and chambers inside. Archaeologists classify Newgrange as a passage tomb.
It is unknown how many people were originally buried there because it was disturbed before it was properly excavated.
Newgrange is most famous for the illumination of the passage and chamber on the Winter Solstice by the sun. The intent of the builders was to mark the beginning of a new year and possibly to serve as a powerful symbol of the victory of life over death.
Unfortunately, they wouldn’t let us take photos or videos inside so I can’t link an example of the light entering the chamber. If you want to see it you’ll have to visit it yourself, and I highly recommend doing so.
4. Corcomroe Abbey
Corcomroe Abbey is on my list because of the story behind it. It acquired the name “Sancta Maria de Petra Fertili” which means “St. Mary of the Fertile Rock” because of the fertile nature of the Burren lands where it is located.
It is said that Donal Mór Ua Briain built it. He supposedly had the architects executed after they finished creating the abbey so they wouldn’t be able to create anything as beautiful again.
There's an above ground tomb inside of the abbey that was said to have held the five bodies of the architects. Today, the only thing that remains is a skull that can be seen through a small opening with the help of a flashlight.
5. Merchant’s Arch
Merchant’s Arch is a pub in Dublin that had the best brown bread. I still crave it even though it’s been nine months since I’ve had it. We ate there multiple times on the trip because the food and atmosphere were so amazing.
They also had great entertainment, but that’s typical of the pubs in Dublin.
