Ireland Travel Specialists
Always Travels is your Ireland expert! We are gold certified by Tourism Ireland as specialists in travel to Ireland and would be thrilled to help you plan your trip to one of the most beautiful and welcoming destinations on Earth. As certified specialists, we are linked to some of the best options for you in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Let us help you plan your next trip to the Emerald Isle.
There are 32 counties on the island of Ireland, each with its own character, feel, and attractions. We've broken things down into six regions to make it easier for visitors to tackle. You can always reach out to us directly for more information. Just email us at info@alwaystravels.com and we're happy to help!
​
But what makes Ireland so special and worth going back to over and over again?
​
-
History and Culture: From ancient ruins to tales of fairies, Ireland's historical and cultural roots are fascinating to explore. Whether it's basking in the craic of an impromptu Celtic reel at a local pub or touring some of Ireland's prehistoric monuments, you're just scratching the surface of this mesmerizing island. Or maybe it's just time to build your Irish lanugage skills.
-
Amazing Food, Beer, and Spirits: The days of boiled meats are long gone, and Ireland has made its mark on the international culinary stage. Hearty pub grub now shares the scene with fine dining all across the country. As you might expect from an island with nearly two thousand of miles of coastline, seafood is a star here. But rich and full farm-to-table cuisine is also popular throughout the Emerald Isle. And in a country renowned for its beer, whiskey, and gin, there's no shortage of brewers and distillers to tickle your palate.
-
Ancient Castles: With an estimated 30,000 castles and castle ruins, it's hard to go very far without stumbling upon these romantic and mystical sites. Whether you want to tour the remains of bastions long-since abandoned or you're looking to spend the night in a castle hotel, there's no place better to imagine yourself as royalty.
-
Nature at its best: Ireland is a nature lover's dream. Whether you're looking to hike the rugged western cliffs, seeking thrill sports like surfing, want to take a hand at herding sheep, or simply enjoy gazing over dreamy pastures, you'll find a ton of offerings to keep you outdoors and active.
-
Urban Escapes: Ireland is not all rolling green hills and vast open spaces, dotted by small villages. There's a fascinating and lively urban side to modern Ireland. Dublin and Belfast are modern and cosmopolitan European capitals with much to keep city explorers busy for several days. Smaller cities like Galway, Waterford, and Cork are equally engaging, with a slightly more intimate and approachable vibe.
​
-
A Welcome that Is Uniquely Irish: While there is plenty to "do" in Ireland, the island's greatest treasure is the intangible feeling of peace, happiness, and welcome that keeps travelers coming back time and again. The Irish are a warm and open people who are as happy to chat with old friends as embrace new visitors. It's one of those places that simply puts a smile on your face, even if you can't put your finger on exactly why.
Touring Ireland with a Theme
With so much to see and do, one way to focus a trip is to center it around a theme. At Always Travels, we're happy to help you plan your one-of-a-kind, special trip. Some potential themes include:​
​
-
Tasting Your Way through Ireland: Food is a great way to get to know a place and its people. We can build an entire trip around good eating and drinking while you also learn how it got on the table. Scavenge for edible seaweeds, rustle sheep, learn to make Irish soda bread, or embark on food walking tours in city after city. And before you wet your whistle, sit down with a brewer to learn what makes Irish beer unique or learn from a master distiller how Irish Whiskey is distinctive from it's Scottish, American, and Japanese cousins? Your mouth, stomach, and mind will thank you.
​ -
Adventure Trekking: For active nature lovers, there's never a dull moment in Ireland. Hiking, kayaking, horseback riding, ziplining, surfing, moutain biking, archery, rock climbing, hawking... there's no end to the options.
​
-
Castles and Gardens: Whether you are a fan of Game of Thrones or are simply fascinated by the magic of ancient castles, Ireland is for you! Why not make a trip that focuses on the history and architecture of the island and alllows you to even spend the night in one of these majestic structures. And most castles are made more dramatic by their natural settings. Whether perched on the side of a lake or nestled among manicured gradens, nature is always a part of the experience.
-
Celtic Legends: Ireland is a land of mysticism and mythology. Why not build an adventure around the legends of this magical isle? From ancient burial mounds to stories of fairies, giants, ghosts, and banshees, let Ireland dazzle your imagination.
​
-
Catholic Pilgrimages: Irelands is full of places and tales to its iconic saints, such as St. Patrick, St. Brendan, St. Bridid, or St. Columba. It's also home to the Miracle of Knock, where pilgrams can visit the holy shrine in County Mayo commemorating the spot where, in 1879, dozens of villagers are said to have witnessed a 2-hour long vision of the Virgin Mary, Joseph, and St. John the Evangelist.
-
Exploring Irish Roots: As the old saying goes, "There are two types of people in the world; those who are Irish and those who wish they were." Ireland's population in 2023 was just over 5 million people. Yet in the U.S. alone, more than 31 million people claim Irish ancestry. For many, building a trip to Ireland is about exploring those roots, whether they are trying to find direct connections or simply exploring Irish heritage.
