Why should you visit Ireland?
Just a short ferry ride from Scotland, Ireland is rich with history and covered with beautiful scenery. If you’re ever looking for a holiday that’s not too far from home, it’s the perfect place to consider.
The Landmarks
Ireland is home to the famous Giant’s Causeway, which was even featured in an episode of The Simpsons. The vast basalt stone clusters are nearly 60 million years old. It is believed that the Giant’s Causeway was formed when Ireland separated from North America, causing cracks in the earth’s surface where lava and molten rock came through. This later eroded and rivers formed in the basalt, and as the water cooled the molten lava, the hexagonal spokes were formed.
Of course, with every great landmark there is usually a legend. In this case, the Giant’s Causeway was rumoured to have been created for an Irish giant, Fin McCool. He created it to cross the Irish Sea and face his rival, a Scottish giant named Benandonner. A lesser-known fable iterates an alternative version of this legend, where McCool built the Causeway for love rather than war.
When you visit this mystical place, you can immediately see how these fables were formed. As awe-inspiring as it looks in pictures, it is even more breathtaking in the flesh. It is free to walk around the site, you only need to pay for parking.
Another landmark, which is not too far from the Giant’s Causeway, is Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge. A rope bridge with wooden slats takes you from Antrim mainland to Carrick Island. Feel the wind rushing by and hear the waves crashing beneath you as you take this spectacular walk.
From the island, you can see Rathin Island and even Scotland. Fishermen used to rely on Carrick Island to catch salmon, which is why this bridge exists. It is best to pre-book the walk to secure a spot, as it can get quite busy.
The Car Scene
For the car-lovers, Ireland’s car scene is something else entirely. With events such as Port Sundays, or the annual Donegal Rally, there is plenty of car meets to be had. It’s something you should definitely experience when you visit Ireland.
Port Sundays take place in Portrush and Portstewart, hence the name. Whenever a meet is being held, you’re guaranteed to find some insanely cool cars. The best place to watch for updates is their Instagram, which can be found here.
Donegal Rally takes place over three days one weekend of the year. There are many opportunities to witness the races through the Irish countryside during this time.
Of course, if you miss one of the rally days, there are other events to attend. One of which is King of the Cone, an annual drifting (or diffing) competition.
Letterkenny is the best place to be during the rally as the town is packed with unique modded cars. A word of warning, expect lots of traffic during the rally. And don’t count on a peaceful night’s sleep! But to those who love the sound of pop and bang exhausts and tyres screeching, the tiredness is worth it.
The Scenery
Ireland has some of the most beautiful roads to drive, especially outside of the main cities and towns. The Causeway Coastal Route is crammed with majestic sights and is worth driving along. Another great drive is the West Coast of Ireland. You will come across sights such as Mizen Head, the Cliffs of Moher, Dingle, and Killarney National Park, amongst many more.
As well as these Coastal routes, many regular drives in Ireland will lead you to some amazing sights. Going on an unplanned route is worth the time, as long as you can remember how to get back!
Lastly, some tips for when you visit Ireland. Much like Scotland, the weather is very unpredictable, so pack accordingly! It is worthwhile bringing euros as well as pounds, as many sights (including the rally) are found in Ireland rather than Northern Ireland. Finally, make sure to bring a good camera, as you will need it to capture the beauty of this country.
Featured Image Credit: Emma Christie
Second year student journalist studying Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Journalism Studies.
Writer for Brig and Discovery Music, Chief Sub Editor for Brig
