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Remember
the programme made by the BBC called ‘Three Men in a Boat’? The
programme followed the travels of Griff Rhys Jones, Rory McGrath and
Dara O’Briain as they made their way around Ireland, discovering
for themselves hidden gems kept well-away from the average tourist.
Experiencing
a plethora of activities, from poetry festivals to greyhound racing,
follow their lead and see what happens as you explore the wonderful
country nicknamed the ‘Emerald Isle’ for its lush, green and
magical countryside.
The
idea then is to arrive in Ireland, book yourself car
hire in Ireland and then take to the road, travelling wherever
your heart leads you. A little bit of guidance won’t go amiss
though, and a small itinerary will help you make the best of your
trip.
A
visit to Southern Ireland must include a trip to its capital city,
Dublin. Three Men in a Boat saw Griff, Rory and Dara taking a trip
down the Grand Canal, famous in its heyday as a main shipping lane
for one of Ireland’s most famous exports- Guinness of course! And
a trip to Dublin isn’t complete without a trip to the St. James's
Gate Brewery, where the Guinness Storehouse is located, one of
Ireland’s most visited tourist attractions and somewhere that you
can enjoy a pint (but no driving afterwards!). The Gravity Bar
located at the top of the Guinness Storehouse allows you to look out
over Dublin city, enjoying 360° views while sipping on a pint of
stout.
Follow
the course of the River Shannon as it winds its way through Irelands
countryside, as one of the UK’s longest rivers, you can choose to
follow for a few miles, or for the whole of your trip. Along the way
you could find anything, from pockets of tranquility where you can
remain undisturbed for days just admiring the picturesque views, to
some of the world’s oldest pilgrimage sites and ancient
monasteries, such as that of Clonmacnoise.
And
as you move across the country at your own pace, make sure that you
try as many of the local food delicacies as you are able to - if you
find some a bit rich, you can always leave the comfort of your Irish
hire car and take a wander through one of the many national parks.
Killarney National Park is definitely worth a visit, and a ride on
one of the famous Jaunting cars is a must!
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