Ireland ... so much more than Dublin

ancient structure in County Clare (c) 2020 by David Ourisman, all rights reserved

Yes, Dublin is a fantastic city — small and walkable. Make it a point to stay in the center of things to take full advantage. Its three most famous attractions are:

Trinity College and the Book of Kells. Definitely rent the audio tour of the Book of Kells. 

Kilmainham Gaol, the jail where the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising were imprisoned and executed. I highly recommend pre-booking your tickets for this tour.

Guinness Storehouse, the home of the famous black beer that bears the name of the Guinness family.

Guinness Draught (c) 2020 by David Ourisman, all rights reserved

But Ireland is even more fabulous when you venture into the countryside and witness the forty shades of green with your own eyes.

Newgrange, a megalithic tomb built 5000 years ago. Once a year, the rising sun on the winter solstice shines down a long shaft carved into the rock and floods the inner tomb with light.

The Ring of Kerry or the Ring of Dingle — you'll see stone cottages in the shape of beehives, stone fences that were created as a make-work project during the Great Famine in the early 19th century, and gorgeous views of the ocean all the way. 

County Clare has so much to experience from the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren National Park to Celtic artifacts and fairy forts.

stone ruins on the Ring of Dingle (c) 2020 by David Ourisman, all rights reserved

Whether you want to explore picturesque villages, walk through majestic gardens, play golf, visit historic places, eat in Gastropubs, taste whisky and stout, witness folk dancing, or listen to Irish music, Ireland is a wonderful place to visit ... with perhaps the friendliest, most outgoing people in the world.

copyright (c) 2020 by Ourisman Travel LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell, a Virtuoso® Member. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

need Dublin hotel space for the U2 concert?

see how Jameson Irish Whiskey is made when touring Dublin

U2 - The Joshua Tree Tour 2017 in Dublin... A client emailed this morning, having just scored two tickets to see the U2 concert in Dublin, Ireland on July 22nd. She immediately checked her (and my) favorite hotel in Dublin, The Merrion, and saw no availability.

Where to stay? I discovered that most hotels have "special event" pricing for the concert — prepaid reservations that cannot be cancelled, but I found good availability and flexible rates at one of our Virtuoso collection hotels in Dublin, The Westbury. Located on Grafton Street in the heart of Dublin, The Westbury is ideally situated between Trinity College (and its Book of Kells) and St. Stephen's Green

Virtuoso guests receive value added amenities by booking through a Virtuoso travel advisor

• Upgrade at time of arrival, subject to availability
• Complimentary Continental Breakfast for two daily for duration of the stay, served in restaurant
• A complimentary lunch or dinner for up to two people per room, excluding alcohol, taxes and gratuities once during stay (must be 3 course minimum with a minimum value of $100 USD equivalent)
• Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
• Complimentary Wi-Fi

Ireland is one of our favorite destinations, with the warmest, friendliest people you'll ever find and beautiful scenery with "forty shades of green." Ireland is also the birthplace of Guinness and Jameson's. See my google map of Ourisman Travel's preferred luxury hotels in Ireland, and call us to plan a vacation to Ireland.

copyright (c) 2017 by Ourisman Travel LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell Travel. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

This beautiful You Tube video depicts the decoration of the Christmas tree at The Merrion in Dublin. The short film is set to the song "I Wanna Go Home," sung by Michael Buble. If you'd like a three minute break, just click on the video above.

The Merrion is located in central Dublin, close to Trinity College and the Book of Kells. If you next trip to Ireland takes you to Dublin, I highly recommend this Virtuoso partner hotel — especially the rooms and suites in the Georgian Main House. Just by booking through a Virtuoso travel consultant, you receive a complimentary daily full breakfast for two guests ... and if you book a Main House room, you'll also receive a complimentary lunch or dinner for two.

Ireland bound? Feel free to get in touch for other great places to stay (all with amenities) in Dublin and around this beautiful country.

copyright (c) 2015 by David Ourisman LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell Travel. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

The Merrion | Dublin's finest hotel

The Merrion is Dublin's finest hotel, located in the heart of the very walkable downtown area of Dublin and close to Trinity College (the Book of Kells), the National Gallery of Ireland, as well as tempting shopping opportunities. The Main House is comprised of a row of gracious Georgian townhouses that have been converted into guestrooms and suites, and there is a modern Garden Wing built around a spacious garden courtyard behind the Main House. I really recommend rooms in the Main House for their traditional interiors and sense of history.

Although I had seen the Merrion's art collection in its public spaces during prior visits, I had no idea of the significance of the collection. The hotel has done something quite special, creating an audio guide to help guests more fully appreciate the works of art that grace the walls. Watch the video (above) to get a sense both of the hotel and its collection of art.

For even great value, book through your Virtuoso travel consultant to enjoy complimentary Full Breakfast for two daily and upgrade if available upon arrival. Guests booking a room in the Main House will additionally enjoy a complimentary lunch or dinner for two while Garden Wing guests receive cocktails and appetizers for two in the Cellar Bar.

copyright (c) 2015 by David Ourisman LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell Travel. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.