Unique Food in Ireland

Through the years, the Irish flag has been waved by world-class rugby players. Aside from producing exceptional athletes, Ireland is also known for its famous international musicians like The Corrs, The Cranberries, U2, Boyzone and Ronan Keating, amongst others. For this, people tend to create a certain impression of Ireland, an impression which might be merely about sports and music. Unknown to many, however, a vacation to Ireland reveals they actually has a very rich and unique culture which even extends to food.

The Irish cuisine may seem to be one of the most unknown cuisines in the world for people often tend to neglect it and count it under the normal English cuisine. However, this is not the case.

In Ireland, high-quality beef, which is export quality, and large potatoes are majorly used in traditional dishes. The most known of these dishes are the Irish Stew and Boxty, a potato pancake.

The Irish Stew is made from beef and mutton, the meat of domestic sheep. Carrots, onions and potatoes are added into the dish for more flavor and color. It is cooked by first cleansing the meat through boiling, and eliminating the fat through draining it afterwards. All ingredients are then simmered with stock until everything gets cooked. The process is just mainly boiling which is why the Irish stew is often called "not browned."

Boxty, an easier dish, is made by combining grated raw potatoes, flour, buttermilk, baking soda and egg. The mixture is then fried on a griddle pan like a traditional pancake.

Tours Just for You in Ireland!

A tour of all the major cities in Ireland would take 12 to 14 days, however keep in mind that this is just an overview of the sites. You will find that these itineraries typically spend only one or two nights in the larger cities, and are on the move the rest of the time getting from place to place. This is why many travelers choose to focus on a specific region of Ireland, to ensure they can take everything in.

The larger cities of Galway, Limerick, Killarney, Cork, Belfast and Dublin offer their own unique style with central locations that are perfect for exploring the countryside.

Dublin, which is the capital of Ireland, is a favorite of travelers. Visit pubs, museums, restaurants and shops. Popular sites include St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin Castle, Malahide Castle, Guinness Storehouse and the Garden of Remembrance. Take time to stroll through Dublin's beautiful Georgian squares. Enjoy entertainment at a theatre, club or pub with traditional Irish music.

Killarney is considered the tourist capital of Ireland due to its natural beauty and the world-renowned Ring of Kerry. Other popular sites are Ross Castle, Dingle and Tralee, Ladies View and the McGillicuddy Reeks. Golfers can enjoy some of the world's best championship golf courses nearby.

Belfast is a thriving city in Northern Ireland, rich in history and culture. It is said to have some of the best nightlife in Ireland. Wonderful restaurants, shops, pubs and old markets offer plenty to do.

The city of Limerick, off of the River Shannon, is ideally located for a visit to the Cliffs of Moher, Bunratty Village and King John's Castle. Durty Nelly's is one of the most famous pubs in the area. Located in South West Ireland, Cork boasts beautiful scenery of river valleys as well as the sandstone hills of the west. From here you can visit the Blarney Stone, Blarney Castle, Woollen Mills and the affluent town of Kinsale. Walking through Cork, you can see the Opera House, St. Ann Shandon Church, St. Finbarr's Cathedral.

Galway is full of narrow streets and medieval buildings which make you feel like you have gone back in time. See the Spanish Arch, the Church of St. Nicholas and Lynch's castle.

Shopping in Dublin!

Shopping in Dublin focuses on the two main pedestrianised shopping streets of Grafton Street/Stephen's Green on the southside centre and Henry Street on the northside and their surrounding streets. The two streets are just either side of the river, a few minutes walk apart, but are somewhat different.

Southside
Grafton Street, located between Trinity College and St Stephen's Green is the more smart shopping area with fashionable stores such as Brown Thomas, the department store catering for many designer showcases, both foreign and local. Dublin's leading and most exclusive jewellers, Weirs, is also here, as well as the most popular of the famous Bewley's Cafés. Other principal shopping streets in the area include Wicklow Street, Dawson Street, and South Great Georges Street. The nearby Powerscourt Towncentre is one of the nicer, albeit small, shopping centres in the city. Also close by is The Georges Street Arcade, an indoor market well worth a visit.

Northside
Henry Street has department stores such as the popular Arnotts, and an assortment of popular clothing and footwear stores. The ILAC shopping centre, the newer Jervis Street Shopping Centre are both here. The well-known outdoor food market of Moore Street is always full of bargains. The nearby O'Connell Street, Dublin's main thoroughfare, is home to the excellent Clery's Department Store and Eason's Booksellers as well as several other shops but not the main shopping area by any means.

Experience all the major attractions in the South of Ireland with this seven day trip of a lifetime. Absorb the breathtaking history and culture of Dublin's medieval roots with trips to Trinity College Library and St. Patricks Cathedral. Work your way throughout the South coast stopping by all the famous attractions including Cobh Heritage Center, Blarney Castle, Ring of Kerry and Cliffs of Moher. Stay in famous towns along the way including Kerry, Cork and Clare.