{As rich in the spirit of romance as it in annual raindrops, Ireland has been seen as a dreamy, beautiful travel destination for ages and continues to make for an ideal honeymoon location. Image source.}
Unlike the other locales that have had the spotlight shone on them here so far, Ireland is not only a country I've visited, but where I actually lived for nearly two years of my life between 2004 and 2006 at the beginning of mine and Tony's life together. My beloved and I met online in early 2004. He was living and working in Dublin, Ireland (having left his homeland of Italy to do so just a few months prior) and I was here in the very same Canadian town we now live together, Penticton, British Columbia. It was, as I like to say, love at first email and before I knew it, I was on a plane to go spend two months with Tony in Ireland.
During that time, he proposed to me in the most endearingly romantic setting one could ever imagine, an Irish castle (Clontarf Castle to be exact), and though I had to return to Canada after that two month stay was up, a mere two and a half months down the line, Tony flew to Canada and we were wed in a very small civil ceremony in front of just a handful of relatives that was held at my mom and step-dad's house.
As, at the time, it was more feasible from an immigration standpoint for me to return to Ireland with Tony and for us to begin our wonderful life as man and wife in Canada, that's precisely what we did about a week after we tied the knot. As I mentioned in first post in this series (about Italy), we did not take an actual honeymoon as the trip to Ireland and the expenses of the wedding on two young kids (I was barely twenty at the time, Tony was twenty-four) was all our budget could allot at the time.
In a way however, looking back now more than eight years after I last left Ireland's shores in 2006, one could - if they wanted to be quite optimistic about it - see our time in Ireland as an extended honeymoon unto itself.
It was not by coincidence that I meet Tony while he was living in Ireland, I had always madly adored this country, as I saw it portrayed though movies, TV shows, books and oral accounts from those who had spent time in the Emerald Isle. I had studied its painfully troubled history, rich culture, scrumptious cuisine and powerful heritage since I was a little girl and prior to doing so, listed visiting or living in Ireland as one of my top life goals. As such, I was involved with a few different social sites that were based out of Ireland, and it was through one of them that I first met my future husband.
Ultimately, once I actually lived there for a while, Ireland proved to be (as so many places are) markedly different than I'd envision and dreamed it would be. I often say that Ireland and I were oil and water, no matter how much I wanted us both to be harmonious Irish spring water in unison. Our time there was laden with ups and downs (so many downs), and not a bed of roses (or would that be clover), by any stretch of the imagination. Still, when I look back on it, I try to focus on the positive points, the elements I loved, and the lessons I learned from living abroad as newly married woman.
{Our time in Ireland was split between two locations: the thriving capitol city of Dublin and the small town of Clonakilty in Country Cork, where we lived before Tony received a terrific chance job offer from a Canadian company set us on the path back to my homeland, and ultimately several years later at long last in 2012, to Tony becoming a full fledged Canadian citizen. Image source.}
Ireland may not turned out to be as I'd envisioned, but it was still beguiling in many ways, incredibly fascinating from a historical standpoint, a beautiful country to call home for a couple of years. Tony and I both feel the same way about our time there, which ultimately, we view as special and very meaningful, as it was where we began our life together.
In honour of that fact, and that Ireland came as close to being a honeymoon as we had, as well as that it is a tremendously romantic country thanks to its plethora of pastoral lands, gently swooping hills, mysterious bays, foggy moors, spirited Celtic music (and culture in general), delicious cuisine (some of the best restaurants I've ever eaten at were on Irish soil), and siren song call to many others just as it once had to me, I felt that it would make for a perfect third edition in our vintage honeymoon series.
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Ireland is a country with a powerfully rich history, though it has not, by any stretch of the imagination, always been an easy one. The earliest known settlers to have found their way to this relatively small island country did so around 8000 BC and it has most likely been populated ever since. From the Vikings to the Romans to early English (aka, the Normans), many people have tried to invade and conquer Ireland over the years with varying degrees of success. All however, left their mark on the culture, traditions, language and history of this nation and vestigial elements of these influential invaders remain throughout Ireland and Irish society to this day.
Invasion wasn't the only hardship in Ireland's past, and undoubtedly one the most famous and profoundly devastating tragedies to ever occur within in its borders was The Great Famine of 1845-52, which came about when a horrible potato blight destroyed countless crops across the country, effectively wiping out the staple food of the poorer members of the population (who made up the bulk of Ireland's population at the time) and causing widespread famine, illness, death, and mass immigration to the UK, America, Canada, and other parts of the world. In fact, when the dust and countless tears of sorrow had finally settled, Ireland had lost a quarter of its entire (pre-famine) population of eight million souls.
{The Great Famine had incredibly far reaching and heartbreakingly horrific effects on the Irish population, including a mass exodus of immigrants who left the country, never to return again. Today many of these families' and individuals' descendants can can be found in countries around the world. Image source.}
For centuries Ireland had been controlled by Great Britain (in a relationship that was typically anything but loving, to put it mildly), however at the dawn of the twentieth century steps began to be taken to ensure Ireland would gain the right to become a self-governing nation. However, this plight was not without hardship and great struggle in the form of civil war and immense political unrest which would ultimately lead to the division of Northern Ireland from the Republic of Ireland, typically known simply as Ireland or the ROI in the south (this post focuses on the ROI, as that's where I lived and can speak about from a firsthand perspective), which makes up about five-sixths of the total landmass of the island of Ireland.
After a few more decades of politic upheaval and much negotiating, the Irish Free State became a Republic unto itself in 1949 and in doing so finally severed its last remaining ties to the British monarchy. Interestingly while Ireland itself was neutral during WW2, in part because such connections still existed during the war years, many Irish men signed up for military duty and fought with the Allied forces.
In the years since Ireland became a republic, it has joined the UN (in 1955) and the European Economic Community (now known as the European Union) in 1973. In recent decades, Ireland's economy has shifted dramatically from one centered around agriculture to one of commerce and technology, resulting in a great influx of wealth, higher wages, new industrialization, an increase in immigration from other countries. It has even become the world's largest exporter of computer software, all of which contributes to an economy that has been dubbed the Celtic Tiger during its heyday.
Though, like many European nations, Ireland has been hit hard with economic troubles in recent years in no small part thanks to the global recession and unemployment rates have skyrocketed, there are glimmers of hope that things may slowly be on the upturn. While a second Celtic Tiger economy may not appear anytime soon, one cannot sense that Ireland will, as it has for so many centuries, pull through this troubled time and continue to stand strong for countless more years to come.
Travelers planning a visit to Ireland will be delighted to know that it in 2011 and 2013 respectively, Ireland ranked as the seventh most developed country in the world by the United Nations' Human Development Index. It is generally a very safe country, with good health care, a great national railway system called Iarnród Éireann or Irish Rail (which was one of my favourite elements of the country actually, especially since I've always longed for Canada to have an affordable national railway system of the type that are common in so many European nations), and three main international airports (one each located in Dublin, Shannon and Cork).
Measuring 170s miles (275 kilometers) at its widest point and 301 miles (486 kilometers) at its longest point, Ireland is not a particularly large country, but it's smaller size simply ads to its charm and reminds visitors that it is, in fact, an island resting in the North Atlantic ocean. By the same token, don't let the fact that it's not nearly as big as say, America, India, or Australia, lead you to believe that there isn't much to do while in Ireland, because nothing could be further from the truth.
An incredible array of historical sites, numerous big cities, a myriad of smaller towns and villages, many annual events, excellent museums and galleries, a marvelously rich cultural heritage, world class golf courses, restaurants and hotels; a great social life (often centered around local pubs), plenty of fantastic music, a thriving art scene, as well as being the birthplace of some of the world's most reviewed literary figures all contribute greatly to abundance of things to do and places to go while on holiday in Ireland.
Though I didn't get to do each of the following ten exciting things myself while I was in Ireland, they're all ones I would have enjoyed greatly and would happily sign up for if I found myself there again one day. Wherever you go throughout the country, especially if you're visiting during any time of the year other than the summer, remember that Ireland isn't notorious for being rainy and damp for good reason. I speak from experience when I say that it does indeed get it's fare share of wet weather, so remember to pack along an umbrella and/or raingear with you as you embark on your romantic Irish honeymoon.
Attend one of the various antiques and/or vintage fairs held throughout the year in Dublin
(Which was founded in 1892 and is ranked as one of the top 50 golf courses in the world)
Spend at least a day in Dublin's lively city centre - and while there, be sure to visit Trinity College
Take a seaside holiday at the Atlantic ocean
(Here's a list of good spots to do this)
Kiss the iconic Blarney Stone at Blarney Castle
Take a scenic walk or drive along The Ring of Kerry
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Indulge in a pint or two of Guinness at nearly any pub around the country
{To learn more about a specific image, please click on it to be taken to its respective source.}
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Over all, Ireland does not usually get either extremely warm or terribly cold (by Canadian standards), and no matter the season, there is always a decent chance of rain. I found when I moved there, that I ended up wearing at least a couple light layers nearly the whole year round, and that I rarely needed to worry about being too warm or too cold as long as I dressed for the season. Though that said, due to the generally damp atmosphere, it is possibly to feel quite chilly, especially from November to March, so you'll want to pack a coat or jacket with you no matter when you go.
If you're headed off to Ireland in the spring for your honeymoon, depending on which part(s) of the country you'll be visiting, you'll likely encounter temperate in the range of 12-20 degrees Celsius, which are well suited to a variety of wardrobe choices.
Denim, mid-length skirts, button front shirts, long sleeved blouses, cotton day dresses, blazers, cardigans, tights and stockings, and an assortment of closed and open toed shoes, as well as plenty of umbrellas, hats, headscarves, and gloves were all staples of my daily wardrobe when I lived there and are the kinds of things I'd recommend packing for your fun filled Irish getaway.
{Keep the powerful winds that sometimes blow up off the Atlantic ocean from tousling your locks too harshly with the help of a cozy, classic vintage fur hat featuring a velvet bow and feather hatband. Hat has an inner circumference of 22". $58.00 from etsy seller Ginny and Harriot.}
{Endlessly classic, easy to style for day or night, and pretty enough to be a conversation starter, these wonderful 1940s screw back earrings featuring amber hued marquise cut glass stones set in gold toned metal and just as lovely as can be. $18.00 from etsy seller Maejean Vintage.}
{Keep the sheen that can easily build up while staying busy during a trip at bay with a fabulously vintage looking container of Coty Airspun Loose Face Powder. $8.21 for 2.3oz/65g, from Amazon.}
{Lightweight and airy, ensuring it will take up next to no room in your suitcase, while also being an ideal layering piece, this elegant mustard yellow 1940s rayon blouse is the kind of top you'll definitely want to take along on your Irish travels. Fits up to a 46" bust/waist size not stated. $49.00 from etsy seller Mom and Pop Culture Shop.}
{Unquestionably one of the most iconic of Irish fabrics, tweed has been a mainstay in the wardrobes of countless locals throughout the country for many generations now. Stay warm, look smart as a whip, and pay homage to that fact with a beautiful vintage skirt suit like this cinnamon brown hued 1940s stunner. Jacket fits up to a 36" bust, skirt waist fits up to a 26/27". $135.00 from etsy seller Luna Market}
{When packing for a trip to Ireland, make sure to include at least one brolly, such as this charming floral print vintage umbrella, in your suitcase right off the bat. You will, I promise you, use it often in all likelihood. $31.50 from etsy seller Root Seller Sisters.}
{Add a splash of extra glamour to your travel ensembles with a charming vintage rabbit fur collar like this stunner from the 1950s (which measures 34" long x 6" wide). On sale at the time of writing for $40.00 from etsy seller Sassy Sister Vintage.}
{Revive the use of a classic piece of luggage by carrying a great vintage train case such as this lovely patina green-blue 1940s number with you on your Irish honeymoon. $50.00 from etsy seller Touching The Past.}
{Let spring showers and hefty Irish puddles do their worst, your beautiful shoes will stay safe and dry when nestled inside a pair of vintage galoshes (aka, overshoes) like these. Fits an approximate modern size 9/9.5 B width woman's foot. $28.00 from etsy seller Down In The Basement.}
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For centuries Ireland has, and continues to, produce a wealth of world renowned, incredibly gifted authors, poets and playwrights, including, but in no way limited to, Jonathan Swift, Maria Edgeworth, Bram Stoker, Oscar Wilde, George Bernard Shaw, William Butler Yeats, Seán O'Casey, C.S. Lewis, James Joyce, and Samuel Beckett, all of whose writing is well worth immersing yourself in before, during, and after a trip to Ireland.
If you're in the mood to learn more about the history, culture, cuisine, and geography of Ireland, instead of or in addition to brushing up on the classics, then the following extensive list will be of wonderful service to you there, as you embark on your splendid honeymoon to the romantic Emerald Isles.
-A concise history of Ireland by P.W. Joyce
-A History of Ireland in 250 Episodes by Jonathan Bardon
-A New Genealogical Atlas of Ireland (Second Edition) by Brian Mitchell
-A Traveller's History of Ireland by Peter Neville
-An Anthology of Modern Irish Poetry by Wes Davis
-An Irish Literature Reader: Poetry, Prose, Drama by by Maureen O'Rourke Murphy and James MacKillop
-Art in Ireland since 1910 by Fionna Barber
-Back Roads Ireland by DK Publishing
-Best of Irish Soups by Eileen O'Driscoll
-Celtic Folklore Cooking by Joanne Asala
-Celtic Knotwork Designs by Sheila Sturrock
-Celtic Quilts: A New Look for Ancient Designs by Beth Ann Williams
-Clodagh's Kitchen Diaries: Delicious Recipes Throughout the Year by Clodagh McKenna
-Compendium of Celtic Crafts by Judy Balchin et al
-Constance: The Tragic and Scandalous Life of Mrs. Oscar Wild by Franny Moyle
-Cork and Southwest Ireland (Step by Step) by Insight Guides
-DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Dublin by DK Publishing and Christina Park
-DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Ireland by DK Publishing
-Draw Your Own Celtic Designs by David James
-Field Guide to the Irish Music Session by Barry Fox
-Flavors of Ireland : Celebrating Grand Places & Glorious Food by Margaret M. Johnson
-For the Love of Ireland: A Literary Companion for Readers and Traveler by Susan Cahill
-Fodor's Ireland 2013 by Fodor's
-Frommer's Ireland Day by Day by Christi Daugherty and Jack Jewers
-Frommer's 25 Great Drives in Ireland by Penny Phenix
-Great Book of Celtic Patterns: The Ultimate Design Sourcebook for Artists and Crafters by Lora S. Irish
-Guinness: Celebrating 250 Remarkable Years by Paul Hartley
-I Never Knew that About Ireland by Christopher Winn
-In Search of Ancient Ireland: The Origins of the Irish from Neolithic Times to the Coming of the English by Carmel McCaffrey and Leo Eaton
-Ireland: A History by Thomas Bartlett
-Ireland: A Photographic Tour by Carol Highsmith by Ted Landphair
-Ireland (Insight Guides) by Hilary Weston and Hilary Staddon
-Ireland: In Word and Image by Jay Ben Adlersberg
-Ireland Unhinged: Encounters With a Wildly Changing Country by David Monagan
-Ireland's Art, Ireland's History: Representing Ireland, 1845 to Present by Síghle Bhreathnach-Lynch
-Irish Art and Architecture from Pre-history to the Present by Peter Harbison et al
-Irish Art Masterpieces Catherine Marshall
-Irish Crochet: Technique and Projects by Priscilla Publishing Co.
-Irish-English/English-Irish Easy Reference Dictionary by The Educational Company of Ireland
-Irish Poems by Matthew McGuire
-Irish Puddings, Tarts, Crumbles, and Fools: 80 Glorious Desserts by Margaret Johnson
-Irish Traditional Cooking: Over 300 Recipes from Ireland's Heritage by Darina Allen
-Irish Writing: An Anthology of Irish Literature in English 1789-1939 by Stephan Regan
-James Joyce: A New Biography by Gordon Bowker
-Last Night's Fun: A Book About Irish Traditional Music by Ciaran Carson
-Lonely Planet Dublin by Fionn Davenport
-Lonely Planet Ireland's Best Trips by Fionn Davenport et al
-Malachy McCourt's History of Ireland by Malachy McCourt
-McCarthy's Bar: A Journey of Discovery In Ireland by Pete McCarthy
-Modern and Contemporary Irish Drama (Second Edition) by John P. Harrington
-Modern Ireland: 1600-1972 by R.F. Foster
-News From A New Republic: Ireland in the 1950s by Tom Garvin
-1916: The Easter Rising by Tim Pat Coogan
-Oscar Wilde's Wit and Wisdom: A Book of Quotations by Oscar Wilde
-Paddy's Lament, Ireland 1846-1847: Prelude to Hatred by Thomas Gallagher
-101 Things You Didn't Know About Irish History: The People, Places, Culture, and Tradition of the Emerald Isle by Ryan Hackney, Amy Hackney Blackwell, and Garland Kimmer (Author)
-1,000 Years of Irish Poetry by Kathleen Hoagland
-Over Nine Waves: A Book of Irish Legends by Marie Heaney
-Rachel's Irish Family Food: 120 classic recipes from my home to yours by Rachel Allen
-Real Irish Food: 150 Classic Recipes from the Old Country by David Bowers
-Researching Your Irish Ancestors at Home and Abroad by David R. Elliott
-Rick Steves' Ireland 2014 by Rick Steves and Pat O'Connor
-Round Ireland with a Fridge by Tony Hawks
-Southwest Ireland (fifth edition) by Catharina Day
-Spectacular Ireland by Peter Harbison
-Sport and the Irish: Histories, Identities, Issues by Alan Bairner
-The Best Irish Drinks by Ray Foley
-The Best Of Irish Breads & Baking by Georgina Campbell
-The Big Book of Irish Songs by Hal Leonard Corp.
-The Big Little Book of Irish Wit & Wisdom by Mary Dowling Daley et al
-The Complete Guide to Irish Dance by Frank Whelan
-The Complete Irish Pub Cookbook by Parragon Books and Love Food Editors
-The Country Cooking of Ireland by Colman Andrews
-The Course of Irish History by T. W. Moody et al
-The Everything Travel Guide to Ireland by Thomas Hollowell and Katie Kelly Bell
-The Goodness of Guinness: A Loving History of the Brewery, Its People, and the City of Dublin by Tony Corcoran
-The Graves Are Walking: The Great Famine and the Saga of the Irish People by John Kelly
-The Ireland Rugby Miscellany by Ciaran Cronin
-The Irish Americans: A History by J.P. Dolan
-The Irish Pub by Turtle Bunbury and James Fennell
-The Irish Pub Cookbook by Margaret M. Johnson
-The Lost Decade: Ireland in the 1950s by Dermot Keogh
-The Parting Glass : A Toast to the Traditional Pubs of Ireland by Eric Roth
-The Most Beautiful Villages of Ireland by Christopher Fitz-Simon
-The 1950s: Ireland in Pictures by Lensman Photographic Archive
-The Oxford Book of Irish Short Stories by William Trevor
-The Story of Ireland: A History of the Irish People by Neil Hegarty
-The Story of Irish Dance by Helen Brennan
-The Very Best of Traditional Irish Cooking: Authentic Irish recipes made simple by Georgina Campbell and Biddy White Lennon
-The Wake Forest Book of Irish Women's Poetry by Peggy O'Brien
-Top 10 Dublin by DK Publishing
-Tracing Your Irish Ancestors: The Complete Guide (Fourth Edition) by John Grenham
-Tracing Your Irish & British Roots by W. Daniel Quillen
-Tracing Your Irish Family History by Anthony Adolph
-Vanishing Ireland: Friendship and Community by Turtle Bunbury and James Fennell
-Vanishing Ireland: Further Chronicles of a Disappearing World by Turtle Bunbury and James Fennell
-Vanishing Ireland: Recollections of Our Changing Times by Turtle Bunbury and James Fennell
-Walking Dublin by Pat Liddy
-Waterford Crystal Irish Brilliance by Sharma Krauskopf
-Wise Irish Women by Patricia Connorton Kagerer
{Without a doubt one of the most engaging, witty, brilliant, and insightful minds to ever live, Oscar Wilde, a native son of Ireland, is as quotable as the day is long and rarely is a situation devoid of a passage from his writing that fits it perfectly. I cannot help but think that this particular quotes both eloquently and beautifully applies to all those who may be traveling to Ireland - or anywhere in the world. Limited edition original 8" x 10" art print featuring a quote from the novel The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, $40.00 from etsy seller Three Summer Days.}
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I think back to my days in Ireland relatively often. It was, to date, the first and only country other than Canada that I got the opportunity to call home for an extended period. I came to it at a burgeoning time in my adult life, when so many things (including my health, which had taken a drastic nose dive just a couple of years prior) in my world felt incredibly uncertain. Though it bore certain similarities to my homeland, it was - if not quite literally, at least figuratively - a million miles away from the world I'd grown up in and at the time at least, I never felt as though Ireland accepted me as one of its own or had any desire to.
That said however, in that quelling way in which time seems to pacify and smooth rough memories, I think that Ireland is a brilliant, beautiful, industrious, charismatic, high spirited, intelligent, and intriguing country which any traveler would be fortunate to add a stamp to their passport from. If life so dictated I live there again, I could, and I honestly believe that we would spark a new and far better relationship that one we shared all those years ago.
Don't let Ireland's often damp weather fool you. It pulsates with a fiery warmth, incredible culture, breathtaking scenery from shore to shore, and no shortage of fascinating characters past and present, as well as a multitude of engaging places to visit, sights to behold, stores to shop at, restaurants at which to tuck into a scrumptious meal, and many a great sporting match to watch.
{As this vintage travel poster proclaims, Ireland really is a land shrouded in legend, as well as history, beauty, fun, charm, and perhaps even just a wee of magic. It is too special a place to be forgotten once you've set foot on its rich soil, and that, after all, is precisely what one wants in their honeymoon destination. Image source.}
Honeymooners will feel its charms and wit, marvel with wide-eyed wonder at its resplendent scenery and, with a bit of that famous Irish luck, leave with more amazing memories than you could ever pack into a million suitcases.
And should you be curious, though we've not been back yet since we left in 2006, Tony and I both agree that one day we'd very much like to return as tourists to the Emerald Isle, walk old haunts, kiss passionately at Clontarf Castle like we did the night we got engaged, and experience a wealth of the things that various circumstances prevented us from doing when we called Ireland home.
Next month, in our final installment in this fun filled post series, we'll be heading off to a destination that is amongst the most famous in all the world when it comes to honeymooning. Hint, hint, it's one that's closer to home for me than any other we've covered so far and that you're bound to fall head-over-heels in love with!
*PS* Dia dhóibh is the plural form of saying hello in Gaelic Irish.
