Maybe it was the steep and narrow staircase that spiralled up the tower. Or the idea of bending backwards like a contortionist to a crowd of onlookers. Or the thought of kissing a stone touched by the lips of thousands of others before me. At Blarney Castle, I didn’t just pass up the opportunity to […]
The Surprise of Irish Cuisine
In a recent post about my highlights of Ireland, I shared how Irish food took me by surprise—in the most delicious of ways. Let’s face it: visitors don’t make the journey to the Emerald Isle for its cuisine. But they should. The days of a ho-hum, meat-and-potato diet are long gone and have made way […]
How Ireland Taught Me to Respect the Potato
Visit Ireland, and you may never see, touch or eat a potato the same way again. Predictably, I found the tuber abundant on menus across the country, from village pubs to fine-dining establishments. But, as scrumptious as my favourite potato dishes are, by my fourth day in Ireland I was craving alternative carbs: rice, pasta… anything. […]
The Allure of the Dingle Peninsula
The Dingle Peninsula may sound whimsical in name, but there’s a striking beauty and intensity to this coastline region in southwestern Ireland. The Landscapes It’s where rugged landscapes once described by National Geographic Traveler as “the most beautiful place on earth” meet mythical legends and a cultural heritage well-preserved by the peninsula’s remote location. And […]
From Doolin to the Cliffs of Moher
Across 8 km on Ireland’s western seaboard lies a natural wonder that feels like the edge of the world. Each year, up to one million visitors make their way to stand atop the Cliffs of Moher, Ireland’s exalted and top natural attraction, and I’m about to be one of them. Doolin To get there, I […]