Friday, June 25, 2010

Things to do when you're in Ireland

Our students wrote this wonderful piece on places you should go to when you visit Ireland. It's an interesting read!

WHAT TO DO IN IRELAND?


Ireland is a beautiful country with a mix between modern and old-style arquitecture. Everything here is history: the city of Dublin, for example, with its cathedral, museums, parks, public transports, shows, entertainment, landscape. The best thing about the country is people. They are always very friendly. In the city of Dublin you can find a lot of different things to do.

If you like art or historical buildings, you can visit the two cathedrals in the city: St. Patrick’s and Christ Church. You can visit also the City Hall and The Trinity College with its spectacular library. If you prefer to go shopping, the place to go is O’Connell Street. It is a long street close to the city centre. If you like beer, you have to visit The Guinness StoreHouse where you will learn how to make beer and the best thing about the visit is that you get to taste a pint and enjoy the sights of Dublin in the bar situated at the top of the building.

At the end of the day, you can relax in the famous Temple Bar where you will enjoy the Irish music and the Irish lifestyle.
In the north of Ireland, it is really interesting to visit the Giant’s Causeway. It lies at the foot of the basalt cliffs along the rugged Antrim coast of Northern Ireland. This intriguing rock formation is made up of some 40,000 massive black basalt columns sticking out of the sea and has been shrouded in myth and legends for centuries. As soon as you see it, you will understand why it is hard to believe how this bizarre rock structure was naturally formed. The ancient Irish was convinced that this natural formation was made from a giant called MacCool: giant among giants and leader of the Guardians of the Ireland’s king. He made the Giant’s Causeway to create a connection between Ireland and the UK.

Finally, you can’t leave Ireland without visiting Galway which is situated in the West. It is a small city with a pedestrian zone in the centre. There are a lot of shops there, mainly a lot of souvenir shops because Galway is one of the most famous cities in Ireland. You can relax walking by the Claddagh around the bay, and feed a lot of swans which are always there, waiting for some bread from tourists.

At night, there are a lot of pubs you can visit to enjoy the Irish music with your friends. The most famous are Monroe’s and King’s Head. You can’t leave Galway without trying the typical food Fish&Chips in the restaurant Mc’Donaghs.

And if you want to discover the area around Galway, it is very easy to rent a car and travel through The National Park Connemara and another different idea is to travel by bus to The Cliffs of Moher in Co. of Shannon. You will enjoy the sight of the Ocean and Aran Island which are in front of the Galway’s Bay. You can travel to the Aran Island by ferry and there, the best idea is to rent a bicycle and discover the archaeological deposits by yourself.
We hope you enjoy your time in Ireland and come back as soon as possible!!!