Of all the amazing places to visit on this planet, Ireland is perhaps one of a few where Americans are presented with a somewhat familiar setting. That’s not to say that there’s no differences in culture or landscape; on the contrary, Ireland is a place very much all its own.Yet, the language is the same, albeit spoken with very different accents and colloquialisms; their sovereign government—while it has not existed as long as ours—is unmistakably democratic; the food is their own, but definitely recognizable. But the longer you’re there, the more you begin to realize that there are actually many completely new (or old, depending how you look at it) things to uncover in the Shamrock nation.
The city of Dublin is in a beautiful setting. Looping around the edge of Dublin Bay, the city is close to the Dublin and Wicklow mountains, green and gorgeous to the south. Stand at the famous Four Courts building in the heart of town; from there, the sight of the city, the bay, and the mountains will make you wish you brought more film for your camera. There are two main sections of the city: Northside and Southside. Each will provide more than enough things to do during your stay. Belfast, in Northern Ireland, is definitely a city that has had its share of troubles. Yet, it is a city that is quickly growing out of its troubled past and into an increasingly attractive place. There’s lots of new construction going on; there are many splendid hotels, an amazing performing arts center, and many great restaurants. Most of all, however, Belfast is a city with some of the warmest people in all of Ireland.
In Dublin, Ireland, literature buffs can take a walking tour of James Joyce’s character, Leopold Bloom, from his modern novel masterpiece, Ulysses. Or, visit the James Joyce Centre. Or, if you’re looking for a hip and trendy place, visit the Temple Bar section of Dublin; restaurants, bars, and shops abound. Within a few hours drive of Dublin, you’ll find relics from a past that hasn’t quite been relegated to the history books. Neolithic tombs, Bronze Age forts, early Christian monastic sites, Viking walls, and Georgian estates are as common as McDonalds in the U.S. Ireland’s past isn’t really a closed, temporal fixture in time; it’s an integral, breathing part of its modern age. The country celebrates its age, and you will as well.
On thing the country doesn’t really celebrate, however, is smoking. In 2004, a long-awaited nationwide smoking ban in public places—that includes hotels, restaurants, and pubs—was made law in early 2004. It’s been great for those people who don’t light up; they can enjoy a pint of Guinness in comfort and come home without smelling like an ashtray. Still, those who do smoke can find many pubs and restaurants that have outdoor beer gardens, a growing trend that's sprung from the ban. Yet for a country that deeply cherishes its ancient past, there are a lot of people who haven’t even seen 25 Irish summers. So in many ways, Ireland is situated at a crossroads—part of its spirit is imbued with its rich history; the other part is made up of the young people looking towards the future. Still, no matter what your age, you’ll be able to find something in Ireland that fits you like a glove.