Thinking of Traveling to Ireland?

If you've never been to Ireland before, I highly recommend it as a place to visit. If you are traveling as an individual or are part of a small group, my main recommendation is not to over plan the trip ahead of time, especially by trying to see too many places.

It would turn out more enjoyable for you and those with whom you are traveling to pick one or two localities and spend your time in those places getting to know the people and their environs to a greater level of depth than merely bolting in and out of places in a whirlwind. In doing so, you'll come home with more meaningful memories.

While planning can seem like a good thing, you'll find the pace in Ireland, especially the South and West of the island nation, operate on a different, more relaxed pace. To have a plan of staying in West Cork for a day, as an example, would work against both your plan and the environment you find yourself in there.

Of course, many people have a very limited amount of time when on vacation or holiday. If traveling from Australia or North America, you'd be best planning at least two weeks in Ireland. This will allow you to overcome any fatigue from the journey such as jet lag, and will also provide a gradual transition into the pace of this lovely emerald isle.

Outside of the larger cities - and often times even in them - you'll meet with folks friendlier than you thought possible. As an example, my first time to Ireland, while with four other friends, we were our first night in Cork city trying to find a restaurant using an address in our guidebook. We decided to ask a local passerby who not only told us how to get there, but also escorted us to ensure we wouldn't lose our way. This type of friendliness and willing to help is all too rare in most parts of the world today.

Where to go in Ireland? My favorite parts are the South, especially West Cork, specifically the Beara peninsula as well as the two peninsulas north of it, the Ring of Kerry and Dingle, both which are part of Kerry. In addition, County Donegal's rugged coastline has a wild romanticism beautiful and rare.

To summarize, here are three points:

1) Avoid over planning the trip, pick out a few places to visit and plan to spend as much time as your heart tells you once you get to them.

2) Plan at least two weeks, ideally even more, to spend in Ireland.

3) Concentrate on counties Cork, Kerry and Donegal, especially the rural, coastal areas in those counties.

You'll likely find Ireland is a place you'll want to visit more and more as you develop the ability to "take it easy" and enjoy each place you visit and person you meet to a greater degree than if you had rushed your trip.