Ireland is definitely more than just leprechaun legends. It’s a beautiful country. While Ireland is a not a part of the UK, Northern Ireland is. So, I split my time between the two, and boy is there a difference. The currency is different, the people are different and yes, so are their loyalties. While in Dublin, walk everywhere. Everything is accessible on a trot. Take a drive through coastal Ireland. The Wild Atlantic Way covers 1,500 miles and along the way you’ll see castles, cliffs, cute villages and lots of sheep. Don’t miss the Cliffs of Moher.
2 Take a Game of Thrones Tour. You’ll be happy and surprised to know that the real “wall” where the nightswatch reside is actually there, minus the computer graphics, of course. Also, the cave where Melisandre gave birth to the demon babies, the place where Ned Stark’s head was chopped off and even the castle where Bran fell from the window ledge after catching Cersei and Jamie Lannister.
3 Even if you don’t drink, pretend that you do. Irish pub life is the best. Down some whiskey, local beer or whatever floats your boat, but do it. If you love your drink, then visit The Jameson or Guinness distillery.
4 Spend a few days just walking through Dublin. Visit Dublin Castle, Trinity College, eat Irish Stew, drink an Irish coffee and then learn how to make it. I’m serious, literally ask them to show you and then be amazed. Eat pies at Cake Cafe. Eat lots of chips aka French fries. When you do, make sure you eat it like the Irish, with lots of salt and vinegar.
5 Visit Killarney National Park, which is home to Storm Waterfall. Take a boat trip here.
— as told to Ikyatha Yerasala
