Saint Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland. He is celebrated especially on 17 March. As 17 March approaches and as memories of the day linger, people across the world turn their thoughts to Ireland.
Ireland — it is a country of dreams, a country of legend, myth, music, history, story. It is country that tops many a traveler’s dream list of places to visit. It is place which people often plan to revisit once they have been there. It is also an island of two twenty first century countries, each with its own challenges, and each negotiating challenges which they share.
We’ve explored many aspects of Ireland across the years, here at Perceptive Travel. Join us on the journey…
To several of Ireland’s most visited places
To Glendalough, as Becky Garrison shares her pilgrimage
As Skye Class explores sites and landscapes which have played a part in the filming of Game of Thrones
When I suggest visiting Vikings and eating fish and chips as experiences to have on your first (or subsequent, for that matter) visit to Dublin
and a look at the beginnings of the Titanic Quarter in Belfast
Going into history, and exploring art
Following the footsteps of Saint Patrick in counties Antrim, Armagh, and Down
Looking at a troubled time in the history of Ireland through art: the murals in Derry
Speaking of art, journey with Ireland’s most famous painter, Jack Yates
Read up: A memoir from top international singer Mary Black, a guide to roadtrips across the island, a book of poetry — Ireland: Travels in Five Books
I’ve led you to places off the beaten path — at times way off the beaten path — too. These include
Rathlin Island of the coast of Antrim, where legend lives along side present day, and Santa Claus visits
Inishowen in the far north of Donegal, where nature, history, and surfers meet
High in the Mourne mountains, the Mourne Wall has a story of its own
A crossroads in time at the market in Newry, Northern Ireland
Then there’s the music, in festivals in Ireland itself and elsewhere, in kitchen parties, in pubs, concerts, and day to day life. One of the best ways to learn about Ireland, in my view, is to take time with the endless and varied aspects of Irish music. Two stories about hearing that music live
Celebrating Saint Patrick’s Day in the musical pubs of Ireland, which is the first piece I wrote for Perceptive Travel — my audition piece, as it were.
An Evening in Belfast — with musician Cathie Ryan, a concert on the Falls Road.
And this:
Ireland: the best thing to do.
There are many more stories in our archives, and more stories from the land of legends, saints, and scholars to come. Take a wander through our archives and stay with us here at Perceptive Travel as our journeys in Ireland and across the world continue…
Photograph of Ireland from space courtesy of Met Eireann. All other photographs by Kerry Dexter. Thank you for respecting copyright.
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