I have chosen Dublin, Ireland as my destination choice. I chose this place because I’m part Irish and I’ve always wanted to visit. I think there would be many cool things to do and see in and around Dublin. “Celtic tribes arrived on the island between 600 and 150 B.C. Invasions by Norsemen that began in the late 8th century were finally ended when King Brian BORU defeated the Danes in 1014. English invasions began in the 12th century and set off more than seven centuries of Anglo-Irish struggle marked by fierce rebellions and harsh repressions. A failed 1916 Easter Monday Rebellion touched off several years of guerrilla warfare that in 1921 resulted in independence from the UK for 26 southern counties; six northern (Ulster) counties remained part of the UK. In 1949, Ireland withdrew from the British Commonwealth; it joined the European Community in 1973. Irish governments have sought the peaceful unification of Ireland and have cooperated with Britain against terrorist groups. A peace settlement for Northern Ireland is gradually being implemented despite some difficulties. In 2006, the Irish and British governments developed and began to implement the St. Andrews Agreement, building on the Good Friday Agreement approved in 1998.” Ireland is located in Western Europe, occupying five-sixths of the island of Ireland in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Great Britain. “Ireland has a mild, temperate climate with a mean annual temperature of around 50°F. Rain showers can occur at any time of the year. But sure, the rain that washes over Ireland is what makes the grass so green and creates a sense of magic over the misty countryside. And shadows in the clouds bring out hues in the mountain tops and lakes. The southeast is the driest region, enjoying more sunny days than the rest of the country.” The population of Ireland is 4,775,982 and the median age total is 35.4 years, male is 35.1 years, and female is 35.8 years. “You will need your valid passport to enter Ireland, but you will not need a visa for tourist or business stays of up to three months. Visit the Embassy of Ireland website for the most current visa information. You may also contact the Irish Embassy at 2234 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008, Tel: 1-202-462-3939, or the Irish consulate nearest you; these are located in Boston, Chicago, New York, San Francisco, and Atlanta. Irish Immigration strictly enforces national immigration laws and regulations. You will be expected to present all documentation relating to the purpose of your trip to Ireland to the Irish Immigration officer upon your entry into Ireland. Irish Immigration may grant a stay of up to three months; however, they may grant a lesser period than three months depending on the documentation provided. In the past few years, an increased number of U.S. citizens have been refused entry or have been granted only a limited stay because they failed to comply with and/or satisfy Irish immigration laws. Some cases have also involved other EU states’ immigration authorities when U.S. citizens traveling from Ireland to another EU state have been deported back to Ireland due to visa-related matters. The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Ireland.” “Travelers should exercise sound personal safety practices to minimize their chance of becoming a victim of petty street crime. Travelers should be aware of their surroundings and avoid unlighted, non-tourist areas.” “A Garda Síochána (Garda), translated as "Guardians of the Peace of Ireland,” is the national police force providing all state security, policing and immigration enforcement duties countrywide. Ireland has a relatively low rate of violent crime. Petty crime and residential crime is much more common, especially in urban and tourist areas. Rates for residential break-ins, theft, burglary, and purse-snatching have all risen in recent years, and thieves often target rental cars and tourists, particularly in the vicinity of tourist attractions. In rare cases, these crimes have involved physical assault or violence, more commonly in Dublin. Avoid parks after dark and avoid showing signs of affluence in addition to guarding your valuables, passport and wallet. We recommend you leave your passport in a secure location separate from your purse or luggage. Do not leave your drinks unattended at bars or restaurants, as there have been reported incidents of drinks being spiked with illegal substances, leading to robbery and sexual assaults. Please practice sound personal security practices and maintain an awareness of your surroundings during your stay in Ireland.” “Most Irish banks will not accept U.S. $100 bills. Many Irish financial institutions have recently stopped accepting or cashing traveler’s checks. Credit cards are widely accepted throughout Ireland. ATMs are widely available, but some, particularly in rural areas, may not accept debit cards from U.S. banks. Some airlines have advised their passengers that their passport must remain valid for six months after their entry into Ireland; however, the Government of Ireland states that this is a recommendation of the airline industry and is not an Irish legal requirement. Travelers must be in possession of a valid passport to enter Ireland.” “While in Ireland, individuals with disabilities may find accessibility and accommodation very different from what you find in the United States. Irish law requires access to public buildings for persons with disabilities, and this requirement is enforced. Under Irish law, public service providers should ensure the service is accessible to those with mobility, sensory, and/or cognitive impairments. Significant changes have been made in recent years to having an accessible public transportation system. People who live in Ireland and meet the medical conditions of a disability allowance may apply for free travel passes; there is also a blind/invalidity pension from the Irish Department of Social Protection for those who qualify. The majority of buses and trains in the main city areas of Ireland are now equipped for those with limited-mobility, sight, or hearing disabilities, although some train stations and pathways may not be as easily accessible. Local authorities and commercial premises such as shopping outlets have no legal obligation to provide external disabled parking facilities for their customers; however, on-street parking, public building parking lots, and internal parking lots always have a certain number of disabled spaces available.” “Motorists drive on the left side of the road in Ireland, and road conditions can differ significantly from those in the United States. If you do not have experience driving on the left, you should be especially cautious as tourists driving on the incorrect side of the road are the cause of several serious accidents each year. Most intersections in Ireland use circular “roundabouts” instead of signals, and it is important that motorists pay close attention to signs and yield the right of way to those already in the roundabout. At signals, turning on a red light is illegal; you must wait for either a full green (any direction turn permitted) or directional green light (which could be straight, left, or right) before proceeding with caution. Most rental cars in Ireland have manual transmission; it can be difficult to find automatic transmission rental cars. Road conditions are generally good, but once you exit the main highways, country roads are likely to be narrow, uneven, and winding. Roads are more dangerous during the summer and on holiday weekends due to increased traffic. Police periodically set up road blocks to check for drunk drivers. Penalties for driving under the influence can be severe.”
A casual dining restaurant in Dublin is the Bella Cuba Restaurant. “Bella Cuba is Ireland's unique answer to delicious, fresh & healthy Cuban and Afro Caribbean home cooking. Established in 1999 by husband wife team Juan Carlos & Larissa Jimenez and their family, Today Bella Cuba is still family run offering tasty traditional and modern dishes with vibrant flavours, The Best of Cuban Food, Music, Rum and Cuban Cigars in our warm little restaurant in Ballsbridge, Join our "Culinary Revolution", for a unique dining experience in Dublin and a little taste of Cuba.” A fine dining restaurant in Dublin is Les Freres Jacques. “After opening its doors in the summer of 1986, Les freres Jacques was quickly recognised as one of Dublins finest restaurants. A small restaurant serving a wide variety of fresh seafood, meat and game locally sourced by proprietor Jean-Jacques Caillabet, Les Freres Jacques became synonymous with authentic, high quality French cuisine. Thanks to the dedicated work of all our staff, combined with the Caillabet family's passion for food and loyal support of our clientele, Les freres Jacques' reputation remains to this day. With our long-standing staff members, marshalled by Maitre'd Sylvain Vallier & head chef Richard Reau, Les Freres Jacques continues to provide quintessentially classic French cuisine served in a warm, friendly gallic environment.” A specialty restaurant in dublin is Cactus Jacks and they specialize in mexican cuisine. “Cactus Jacks ia a Mexican restaurant with a twist. Spread over two floors, it offers an elegant, relaxed and warm atmosphere in a great location. The menu is both fresh and imaginative covering all tastes; Mexican, steak, fish and vegetarian. This coupled with friendly and relaxed service makes Cactus Jacks well worth a visit. You will definitely be back for more. Booking advisable at weekends and for groups. Visit our branch of Cactus Jacks in Galway or drop by our Tallaght restaurant which opened recently.” An ethnic restaurant in Dublin is Diwali. “Diwali is a newly reopened Indian eaterie which brings together the mixed management and chef skills of a team from various other top end Indian restaurants around Dublin. The flair in the kitchen is immediately obvious to all first time customers as is the faultlessly attentive, yet non-intrusive, table service. Presentation and diner satisfaction are all important at impressive Diwali and it shows. Their customers are, invariably, all repeat visitors.”
A budget hotel in Dublin is the Ardmore Hotel and the cost to stay there is about 45 pounds a night. “The Ardmore Hotel is located a short drive from the city centre and about 15 minutes' from Dublin Airport. This 3 star hotel offers fresh affordable accommodation. It is located just minutes from the M50 which is a gateway to the rest of Ireland. The hotel offers free secure underground car parking. Premier Bar offers all day food while Cream Restaurant is open for Evening Meals on Friday and Saturday. Guests can avail of 15% discount off any food purchased during their stay, not including breakfast.” A commercial hotel in Dublin is the Hilton Dublin Airport hotel. “Discover Dublin at the Hilton Dublin Airport hotel, just minutes from Dublin city center and within walking distance of a variety of business corporations. Arrive at the hotel in ten minutes via the airport shuttle service. With secure underground parking, this Dublin Airport hotel offers nine flexible meeting rooms for up to 350 Guests, with WiFi and breakout rooms. Stay connected in the business center and enjoy a range of helpful technologies. Keep up to date with flight arrival and departure times on the hotel lobby’s flight monitors. Unwind in a spacious guest room with floor-to-ceiling windows and enjoy a choice of thoughtful amenities including high-speed internet access and a large 37-inch inch flat screen TV. Keep fit at the fully equipped Living Well Express Gym with cardiovascular equipment. Feast on succulent steaks at Burnell Grill or unwind with an evening drink and a light meal beside the open fire at the popular Burnell bar.” A resort in Dublin is the Carton House. “Fourteen miles from Dublin City Centre and thirty minutes from Dublin Airport, Carton House is one of Ireland's most historic Palladian houses, offering two world class championship golf courses and a Spa.” A bed and breakfast in Dublin is the Abberley House Bed and Breakfast. “Abberley House Bed & Breakfast offers Luxury accommodation with all rooms Non Smoking & having own Ensuites, Tv, Video Recorders, Hairdryers, Tea & coffee Facilities and include Free Wifi access.” One way to get to Dublin Ireland is by plane and the cost of a round trip flight from Albany, NY to Dublin is $1,873.70.
One tourist attraction that I would like to visit is the Guinness Storehouse. “More than 4 million people have visited the Guinness Storehouse, at St. James’s Gate Brewery in Dublin, in the past decade. The Storehouse celebrates the beer’s four ingredients: water, barley, hops and yeast, and commemorates the brewery’s founder, Arthur Guinness. Exhibitions on other floors showcase the history of Guinness advertising and feature an interactive exhibit that promotes sensible drinking. A wing opened in 2006 houses a live installation of the present day brewing process.” I want to visit the Guinness Storehouse so I can take a tour of the brewery and to try fresh brewed Guinness. Another attraction that I would like to visit is the Cliffs of Moher. “The most famous and breathtaking parts of Ireland’s craggy west coastline are the Cliffs of Moher, which feature some of the most breathtaking views on the entire island. The Cliffs stretch for almost five miles and rise up to 702-feet over the waters of the Atlantic ocean. The amazing view from the Cliffs includes the Aran Islands, Galway Bay, The Twelve Pins and the Maum Turk Mountains. The landscape and seascape of the Cliffs of Moher have, for centuries, welcomed a multitude of visitors; close to one million people per year now travel to this iconic location.” I would like to visit the Cliffs of Moher because I want to see the spectacular views for myself. Another attraction I would like to visit is the Blarney Stone at Blarney Castle. I want to visit this place so that I can kiss the Blarney Stone. Another tourist attration I would go see is the museum of country life castlebar, county mayo. I want to visit this museum because I think it would be really interesting to see the history of country life and how things were done many years ago.
In conclusion I think it would be a lot of fun to visit Ireland. There is reasonable lodging, many different kinds of restaurants, and plenty of tourist attractions. I think the trip would be educational informative and just plain fun.
