Ferns Castle, The Square,
Ferns, Co. Wexford
FILL YOUR HEART WITH IRELAND
You’ve made the right decision - you’re going to Ireland. You’ve set aside the vacation time. You bought new luggage, and a new camera. What next?
It’s time to “Fill Your Heart with Ireland,” which happens to be the name of Tourism Ireland’s 2019-2020 global campaign meant to inspire visitors with amazing landscapes and seascapes, historic landmarks, cultural riches, outdoor adventures, iconic film locations and fantastic food and drink.
To get your bearings, start by visiting Tourism Ireland’s main online portal for visitors, ireland.com, an international website available in 11 language versions. Ireland.com gives you a birds-eye view of what’s coming up by season, by county, by region/province, by topic. You’ll find tips on where to go, what to see, when to travel and how to get there.
A lot of travelers prefer to take a guided group tour that offers a curated experience of authentic Ireland with a selection of dates and itineraries. On page 25, you’ll find details on three fantastic companies - Inroads Ireland Tours, Cara Group Travel and My Irish Travel that have scheduled group tours in 2019 and 2020 for traditional music, golfing, cuisine, outdoor adventure and other cool topics.
Rock of Cashel, Cashel, Co. Tipperary
WHEN TO GO
Summer (June-August) is the high season in Ireland, when the days are long and the sun is shining. Summer is filled with outdoor festivals, horse racing, surfing and sailing, magical coastal rides and journeys to castles and lighthouses. The urban scene in Dublin and Belfast, Cork and Galway bustles with excitement.
But the shoulder seasons of fall (September-October) and spring (April- May) are perhaps the island’s best kept secrets! The days are still long and (often) bright, but the crowds are smaller, and it’s much easier to find lodging and to travel the roads and byways. Plus, the Irish return to their normal lives after the summer, so you’ll have a chance to enjoy Ireland in a relaxed pace.
No matter what season you choose, go to Ireland. You won’t regret it.
TOURISM IRELAND
The official agency responsible for promoting the island of Ireland overseas as a leading holiday destination is Tourism Ireland, whose North American offices are based in New York City.
Thanks to Tourism Ireland’s efforts, Ireland is more popular than ever. Visitors are swayed by Ireland’s natural beauty, profound history, rich culture, contemporary cuisine and a vibrant hospitality industry that caters to visitors. In 2018, 11.2 million people visited Ireland, including 2.4 million travelers from North America. They filled their hearts with Ireland, and you will too!
Glenveagh Castle, Glenveagh National Park, Co. Donegal
Newgrange (World Heritage Site) Stone Age (Neolithic) monument, Boyne Valley, Co. Meath
“Ireland is more than just a destination.
It’s a feeling.
It’s the thrill of standing on top of towering sea cliffs
and daring yourself to look down.
It’s the warmth of a traditional pub session
where the locals pull you up to dance.
It’s the cool touch of ancient stones and the
intoxicating flavors of artisan food exploding in your mouth. Take a trip beyond the ordinary
and let Ireland capture your heart.”
Cliffs of Moher near Liscannor village, Co. Clare