Happy Monday Adventurers!

Let’s delve right in today with some stats about Ireland that you can bring up to impress your family at Thanksgiving dinner in person or via Zoom! (Oh 2020!)

#1 The Republic of Ireland has 3.84 million residents, while Northern Ireland has 1.7 million. The sheep have not been counted in these stats, unfortunately.

#2 The island of Ireland is juuust about the size of Indiana.

#3 The Republic of Ireland— which does not include Northern Ireland (part of the United Kingdom)— had 11.2 million visitors in 2019. That is a lot of big tour buses on tiny winding roads!

#4 The most visited city in Ireland is Dublin. This means that, sadly, millions miss out on seeing authentic Ireland… in places like Galway, Killarney, Dingle, and Cork, to name but a few.

And SO:

Let us move past the stats and onto WHY you should travel to Ireland during late September, October, and November!

#1 Clarenbridge Oyster Festival

Clarenbridge Village, County Galway

Fun Foodie Fact: Oysters are best eaten in the colder months from September to April.

While you can definitely eat them year-round, there is a superstition that oysters should only be eaten during months that contain the letter ‘R’.

This is because they tend to be a lot smaller in size since they are focusing their energy on “reproducing”.

This year would have marked the festival’s 65th anniversary, where they celebrate the beginning of the new oyster season. If you are a foodie, this needs to be on your list… I would even plan your trip AROUND this amazing experience.

Over 100,000 of the world’s best oysters are eaten over the week of celebrations. (!!!)

Why is the Clarinbridge Oyster Festival so famous, you might ask? To put it simply: The incredible taste. You see, this village offers the perfect conditions for growing and harvesting oysters:

#1 A sheltered bay

#2 A perfect ratio of fresh and saltwater

#3 The skill, knowledge, and tradition of oyster harvesting in this village since Roman times.

The week’s events include a market day, yacht races, art exhibits, a wine and gourmet evening, lectures, oyster shucking contests, and most importantly, eating your bodyweight in oysters!

#2 Guinness Cork Jazz Festival

Cork City, County Cork

If music makes you tick— this will be your jam (Sorry, I couldn’t resist!).

Cork (in the south of Ireland) is known for its vibrant music scene, and when visiting you have the great opportunity to hear some of the country’s best traditional (‘trad’) musicians.

BUT, you haven’t properly experienced the buzz of Cork without checking out their Jazz Festival.

Every corner of Cork City comes alive to the sounds of over 1,000 musicians and artists from over 20 countries. The coolest thing is the festival hosts a massive amount of free gigs and entertainment in over 70 venues across the city.

In Ireland, the music is for everyone!

As with most things in 2020, the festival was postponed… but next year they will celebrate their 43rd year of bringing the city to life with incredible music from around the globe.

#3 Macnas Parade

Galway City, County Galway

If you didn’t know, Halloween originated in Ireland. YEP! It was a pagan festival called “Samhain,” (pronounced ‘Sow- In’) which marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter—which they called the "Darker Half" of the year.

The wearing of masks and carving of turnips (not pumpkins) was a way of warding off the evil spirits. Maybe we need to carve up some turnips in 2020… it couldn’t hurt! :-)

Many believe the tradition of carving the pumpkin began after the Irish people immigrated over to the United States and used what was more readily available.

Now that you have the history under your belt, let me say this:

You simply HAVE TO put the Macnas Parade on your travel bucket list.

This is by far my favorite thing to experience during the month of October in Ireland.

Pictured Below: A photo of my husband (Bob Ross), my friend Brooke, (Wednesday Adams), and myself (an angry garden gnome… yep I am that kind of costume gal!) waiting for the parade to begin. It’s more fun to dress for the occasion, right!?!

Macnas was founded in Galway City in 1986 by four creative folks who wanted to bring their storytelling to life. The parade draws between 70-100k people each year… so it’s worth arriving early for a good view!

I think the best part about Macnas is how it’s a real community effort. The Macnas creative ensemble is comprised of 45 professional artists and 300 volunteers!

Okay, I’ll stop blabbing and let you check it out for yourself below:

#4 Dromoland Castle’s Christmas Vibes!

Newmarket on Fergus, Co. Clare

If you know me, you’ll know I am in love with castles. There is just something so romantic, historical, and spooky about castles— and as an American, it’s a real novelty!

Fortunately, Ireland is packed with them!

Dromoland Castle is one of my favorites, and we had the pleasure of experiencing it during the holidays this past year. BUT, you don’t have to stay during the month of December to get the tree, decor, and holiday ambiance.

This 5-star beauty offers the most incredible rooms with nightly turndown service, luxe robes/slippers, and chocolates!

The grounds are stunning. You could spend 2-3 hours wandering through all the amazing trails… I did, in fact.

The grounds are magical.

There are multiple dinner options, too. We opted for a more relaxed feeling in ‘The Gallery’. Everywhere you looked, there was another detail you hadn’t seen the day before.

For nights that you would rather relax, they offer the most amazing movie nights in your room. We enjoyed a massive selection of chocolates, popcorn, ice cream sundaes, and our favorite holiday movie of choice.

I felt like I was Kevin McCallister in Home Alone, Lost in NY at the Plaza Hotel! Sometimes you just have to release your inner kid, am I right?!

If you prefer a nightcap, the best place is to head to the sheltered putting green—yep— where you can enjoy a drink while puffing away on your Churchill cigar (if only for the photo!)

We certainly had a good laugh doing this!

If this doesn’t convince you to stay, then I should remind you that during the off-season pricing is significantly lower on weekdays for this luxury hotel.

I’ll leave it at that!

#5 Ireland is GREEN year round!

Ireland never loses its green color. Even in the dead of winter. Ireland is mythical and magical year-round!

While off-season travel offers shorter hours of daylight, it’s is a small sacrifice for unique experiences, better pricing, and a lot fewer people.

And if you’ve already ventured to Ireland in the spring and summer, this would be a fantastic round #2!

With that, I will end this newsletter. I hope it brightened your day, even just a bit.

Good is to come, no matter how grim things seem in 2020. Remember to be kind to yourself, look for the funny in each day, and don’t stop dreaming about travel.

And if you have a favorite memory from your trip to Ireland, please let me know in the comments right below.

Big hugs sent to you and wishing you a beautiful Thanksgiving!

xx

Rachael

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