Ireland

Discover the Delights of Dublin this Winter

Winter city breaks offer the perfect chance to embrace all the good parts of the season while getting a much needed break from the bad. Say goodbye to freezing on your way to work in dark early mornings, for example, and hello to turning up your coats and exploring under the twinkling lights! With its cosy pubs, romantic charm and variety of cultural attractions, there are few better places than Dublin. Read on to learn why the Irish capital would

Exploring Ireland: Civilisation & Culture from Dublin to Belfast

Ireland’s warm, friendly welcome, stunning landscapes and rich heritage make it a fantastic place for a short getaway. It’s not only extremely accessible, it’s also an absolute treasure trove of history and culture (there are even a few legends of treasure troves!). You don’t have to look far to encounter the fascinating relics of the past, many of which are holding their own in modern times. In Ireland, perhaps more than anywhere else in the world, the journey of discovery truly is the destination. If you’re planning a visit to the beautiful Northern Ireland city of Belfast, Shuttle Direct’s Dublin

Ghoulish Gastronomy: Halloween Treats Around the World

Halloween is a tradition dating back to the Celtic period, and still celebrated today with pumpkins, trick-or-treating, fancy dress and various other peculiarities. In the UK we enjoy snacking on bonfire toffee, candied apples and American-style pumpkin pie, but many countries have their own unique take on culinary traditions for this special occasion… Ireland In Ireland, locals enjoy freshly-baked barmbrak, which is a fruit bread (rather similar to a Christmas cake) traditionally baked with objects inside. The person who finds

Drinking Around the World, Part 3: Ireland

Taking a trip to Ireland sometime soon? If you’re planning on hitting the pubs, don’t leave it up to luck whether or not your etiquette will be satisfactory – check out this list of dos and don’ts so you can fit in with the locals. The Dos… DO buy a round. It’s an unwritten rule that if someone offers you a drink and you accept, you owe them a drink in return before the night is over. The only problem

Radiant Reykjavik: Culture in the City Centre

Reykjavik: hard to say, easy to love! Iceland’s intriguing capital has so much packed into its intimate city centre that it can be difficult to know where to start. The beauty of this small yet perfectly formed northern gem is that it’s incredibly accessible – so walking is absolutely de rigueur. And, of course, Reykjavik isn’t really that hard to say – just ask a one of the locals along the way. Recommended Reading: Depending on how long you’ve got,

5 Child-Friendly Activities for a Family Trip to Dublin

Dublin: there’s isn’t a better welcome anywhere in the world. I found it so good, I moved here! The city has as much to offer little ones as it does adults. Irish people love kids, so the capital caters in a big way to keeping them entertained – maybe even tire them out so the city’s more grown-up visitors can enjoy the world-renowned nightlife? Let me give you a tour of my adopted home town, with some of my niece

6 Fun & Quirky Things to Do in Dublin

Dublin is Ireland’s liveliest city. Although it’s often considered a bit of a tourist trap because of its world-famous Guinness Storehouse, picturesque castles and prestigious Trinity College, there are also many off-the-beaten-track attractions. Hidden gems are scattered all over the city, including markets and eateries, quirky museums, as well as street art districts. You just need to know where to look… Dun Laoghaire Market Every Sunday, somewhere between 40 and 50 vendors set up their stall in People’s Park to

Detox Destinations, Part 1: Ireland

Christmas may be over, but the memories – and leftover confectionery – linger. Instead letting those sugary goodies lure you into your pantry time and time again, do yourself a favour: put down the decadent treats and stop delaying your annual detox! Of course, you could do what you always do: eat more salad than a rabbit, hit the gym more often than a body builder, and grin and bear those post-Christmas blues. Or you can opt for the fun alternative: going on a holiday and exploring another country’s attractions and its healthy cuisine. Not only will sightseeing distract you

Irlande

The Best Pubs and Grub in Dublin

If you’re heading over to Dublin for a long weekend to soak up some genuine Irish atmosphere, you’ll need to look beyond the usual tourist haunts. Ireland’s capital is much, much more than a tourist destination: it’s a thriving, vibrant city with its own unique character and plenty of Irish charm. You don’t need to be a culture vulture to enjoy wandering its cobbled streets or taking in the beautiful sights of its historic architecture. And if, at any point, you feel that things are getting a little too serious and cultural, there’s always a local pub, café or restaurant

Irlande

Country Profile: Ireland

Rugged, picturesque and remarkably diverse; Ireland is one of the most beautiful countries in all of Europe. A very small island found in the North Atlantic with Great Britain to its east, Ireland is packed with rolling plains, weaving rivers, low-lying mountains and beaches – all of which are easily explored due to the small size of the country. This stunning scenery, coupled with a relaxed, fun and rural way of living, ensure that this is an enchanting and romantic country which is perfect for exploring by bike or foot. With a rich history of mythological traditions, fantastical literature and

Country Profile: Ireland

Introduction With a culture woven from legend, rich Celtic mythology and fiercely-held tradition, the enchanting spirit of Ireland can work its way into even the hardest of hearts. The Emerald Isle so romantically described in 18th century poetry lives up to its name, with a landscape so diverse it’s hard to believe so much beauty can exist in one small island. But alongside the breath-taking terrain and storied relics of an intrinsically important civilisation, perhaps the most enduring symbol of the country is her people. In a nation where everyone’s a storyteller and every stranger is a friend waiting to

Dublin

Top Things to See in Dublin

The Irish Pub is popular the world over. In Ireland it is has long been an important institution in local life where people get together on a daily basis and where they celebrate important events which have occurred in the local community, not least the death of local characters which often leads to some fierce drinking at the ‘wake’ following a funeral. Whilst every town and village in the country has its local pubs it’s often Dublin which catches the public’s imagination when it comes to the Irish pub scene. Famous Dubliners who enjoyed a pint include James Joyce, Oscar

Halloween

Halloween in Europe

Halloween is a yearly celebration which origins are Celtic. This celebration takes place every 31st of October in different countries such as Canada, United States, United Kingdom and Ireland. The origins of this celebration are related, firstly, with the celebration of the Samhain. This festivity honors the end of the harvest season in the Celtic culture. It is also considered the start of the Celtic New Year’s. In fact, Samhain means “end of summer”. There is also a connection to the Cristian festivity of All Saint’s Day which is celebrated on the 1st of November. This celebration honors and remembers