A Taste of Ireland

by Noella
(Portland, Maine)

Recently, I was lucky enough to find extremely cheap airfare to Dublin, Ireland. I jumped at the opportunity and was on a pleasant flight courtesy of Aer Lingus in no time. I have always dreamed of touring the British and Irish islands at a leisurely pace; I would get a car rental UK style and meander among castle topped hills, stopping in Wales and Scotland and immersing myself in all of England in between. Then I would make my way across the Irish Sea and start over again with a car rental in Ireland.

But my dream would not become reality, this time across the pond at least. The fare had a strict one week maximum and I had to get back to college. Ever optimistic, I still delved into Dublin with enthusiasm and no intention of rushing.

Knowing I couldn't trek the Irish countryside fully in one week, I made the decision to stay close to Dublin. I stepped off the plane, delighted in the Irish chatter of my seatmates on the bus downtown and, ever the thrifty student, tucked into my room at the Avalon House hostel on Aungier Street. This hostel was a treat in itself aside from being in the bustling heart of my most sought after city. Everyone was so friendly, the facilities were pristine and the provided breakfast was hearty.

I started my holiday on foot, laying tracks from St. Stephen's Green down Grafton Street past exceptional street performers and shops selling everything in vogue. My first priority was the Guinness Brewery at St. James's Gate. Being Irish myself I was honored to partake in my first Guinness in the Gravity Bar at the top of the storehouse. The 360 degree windows gave a full and impressive view of downtown.


I spent a good deal of time admiring the Book of Kells at Trinity College and got creative with my camera angles at the foot of St. Patrick's Cathedral and Dublin Castle. The historic post office on O'Connell Street, just across the River Liffey was splendid with bullet-battered dignity.

It was entertaining to meet locals and international visitors alike in Temple Bar where the Irish beef stew fortified me soundly before a night of raucous fun. The next morning I was up bright and early to set off for Powerscourt House and Gardens, which had come highly recommended. Not the place you'd expect to meet a slightly scruffy student like myself, but I strolled around the beautifully landscaped gardens and trails with as much poise as I could muster. The sweeping vista over the gardens and beyond to Sugar Loaf Mountain was unforgettable. Nearby, the highest waterfall in Ireland set a mood of whimsy and calm as I enjoyed a picnic lunch.

Though my short sojourn was a tease, I am left still enchanted by the region and am doubly inspired to return to someday fully experience the whole of Ireland and hopefully the all of Britain as well.

Noella Schink is a travel and beauty writer from Portland, ME. For your next car rental in the UK or Ireland, she recommends Auto Europe.