Visit the Titanic’s last port of call, tour the Waterford crystal factory, indulge in a cup of tea and a scone, all while exploring Ireland’s verdant shores. Just a 5-hour flight from the U.S. East Coast, the charming town of Shannon is the perfect spot to begin your journey. Relish the spectacular landscapes—soaring cliffs, hidden hamlets, and all the Atlantic Coast has to offer. Venture to the southwestern climes of the Iveragh Peninsula for a glimpse of dramatic scenery at the Ring of Kerry, a scenic drive to savor along with the delectable seafood and other local fare.
Atlantic Coast
As Southerners we appreciate fine tableware, and some of the highest-quality crystal in the world is made in Waterford on Ireland’s eastern coast, an easy day trip from Dublin. Founded in 1783, the Waterford crystal factory offers tours so you can see the behind-the-scenes operations of this celebrated enterprise, now a sister company of the Wedgwood and Royal Doulton brands. As a bonus, history buffs will relish the Viking tales and museums in the town of Waterford, which was established in 910 and is Ireland’s oldest city.
City Life
Ireland’s bustling cities offer a multitude of attractions, from sublime dining to the finest shopping. Explore the Titanic Belfast visitor experience to learn about the ill-fated ship built and launched in 1912 from this coastal port. Fast becoming a foodie mecca, the town offers plentiful culinary delights, which include Titanic Belfast’s Sunday Afternoon Tea at the base of a replica of the ship’s grand staircase. For a literary voyage unlike any other, Dublin is the place be. Associated with four Nobel Prize winners—George Bernard Shaw, Seamus Heaney, W.B. Yeats, and Samuel Beckett—as well as renowned writers like Oscar Wilde and James Joyce, the streets of this exciting metropolis are filled with watering holes and landmarks once frequented by these literary glitterati. No journey would be complete without a visit to the National Library of Dublin and the Long Room at the library of Trinity College Dublin, with its 14 busts of great philosophers and writers. If weaving and textile arts excite you, Ireland’s oldest working handweaving mill, Avoca Mill founded in 1723, is a short drive from Dublin. You can watch as fabrics are made, then follow your tour with a stroll through Avoca’s splendid gardens.
Embrace the Spirit
Near Belfast, investigate the fortified city of Derry-Londonderry. Locals will regale you with tales of the city’s past, including the construction of the 17th-century walls that have never been breached. Peruse the ancient murals and the beautiful stained-glass windows at the Guild Hall. From there, head to Armagh, where the story of St. Patrick comes to life. Two cathedrals grace the hills of Armagh, both named for Ireland’s patron saint.
Explore the Culinary Traditions
For baking enthusiasts, plan a visit to two cookery schools on the island—one new school in Northern Ireland, Tracey’s Farmhouse Kitchen, and a decades-old, award-winning institution in County Cork, Ballymaloe Cookery School. Both offer an immersive, intimate taste of their island. You may not be able to visit right now, but take a look at the beautiful photography, recipes, and memories from our sister publication, Bake from Scratch, to start planning your future getaway in Ireland. For details on this and more, go to Ireland.com.
