Before I even set foot in Ireland I was awed by the view from the airplane window of the rolling green pastures quilted below. A month prior to departing, I didn’t even know I would be up above a new country. My best friend moved to Galway to study and invited me to visit her before her lease was up. So naturally, I took about every penny I saved from the past year and traveled around Europe for a couple weeks with her (and a little early graduation gift from my parents).

The more I travel the more I can distinguish how an

environment influences a culture and how a culture

characterizes its city. Once you recognize phantoms of

the past, you can train your eye to see them peaking

between the folds of the present. Traditions woven by

Ireland’s extended history craft the contemporary we

love. From every brick of a building, to every musician on

a corner, and every drink in a pub, Dublin pulses with

the heart of culture.  

Howth is a charming seaside town that hugs the

Dublin harbor. It has stretches of beaches, seaside

cliffs, and endless yellow flowers your eyes can get

lost in. Howth is a breath of fresh air from the

bustling Dublin downtown with its panoramic views,

shimmering blue water, and sheer rock faces

bursting from the water.

The Cliffs of Moher cascade into

crashing ocean waves, its meadows soft

and delicate above. Its mystical

formation invokes wonder and leaves its

enchantment on you. In Gaelic, Moher

translates to “ruined fort”, true to the

folklore that ancient, other worldly

beings once resided here.

Gaillimhe, Galway, is the soul of Ireland.

The city is rich in Gaelic, Irish music, and traditional dances. Galway means “Stony River,”, coming from the Irish nickname Gaillimh, for the River Corrib that runs through the city and into the bay. Galway lines the west coast with all types of buildings, from vibrant pops of color, to thatch work roofs, and stone clad houses.

Despite often heavy clouds, rain won’t deter someone from enjoying life with a swim, festival, or walk along the shore. Eyre square is a central core of the city surrounded by all different types of shops and cafe’s. Enjoy markets displaying local businesses and goods from Irish farms, as well as adventuring through the Latin quarter for pubs ringing with Irish folk music and serving the most golden crisp fish and chips.

Hope you enjoyed my Glimpse of Ireland travel recap!

For more, check out my blog from the

Cliffs of Moher