Wednesday 22 April 2015

6 Irish landmarks I'm ashamed to say I've never visited

Trinity College, pic taken by my sister because well, I've never been there...


Since I started to work with French students, the topic comes along every week. "What should I visit while I'm in Ireland?", "we're going to Dublin on Saturday, what do you recommend?", "sure, you've lived here for so many years, you must have seen everything by now!". WRONG. WRONG. WRONG.

Of course I went around Ireland the first few years, but as soon as the kids came along (7 years ago), we kind of stopped travelling within Ireland. Now, all our week-ends are spent cleaning, grocery shopping, and just basically resting from an hectic week. All our holidays are spent going home to see the family...

I'm ashamed to say there are a good few famous sites I've never seen. So here is a selection of what I have yet to visit in Ireland (and there are no pictures, because, well, I've never been there...)

1- Trinity College & The Book of Kells

I know, I know. My sister, the French students, my brother, friends... Basically everyone I know has seen that damn Book of Kells. But not me. I was never free to go along. Am I really missing something there? You tell me...
Worst thing is, I always tell people they have to visit Trinity College. Even if I never set foot on the grounds.

2- St Patrick's cathedral

I'm a bit greedy, I'll admit it. So no, I don't want to pay to get in a church. I've seen pictures online and on their website you can even take a virtual tour. Good enough for me.

3- Kerry

Dingle Peninsula, the Ring of Kerry, Killarney... So many places I would love to visit. We never managed to have a free week-end before the kids (Fabrice working in the hotel industry was a big issue in the sense that he could never have Saturday & Sunday off), and now it seems such a big organisation and so many hours to drive that I'm giving up before even trying. Ah well, one day maybe...

4- Dublin museums

The National Gallery, the museum of Natural history, the National library ? I haven't visited any of them. And I do like museums in general. I just didn't have the opportunity, or friends who wanted to come with me. I have been to the Little museum of Dublin though, great experience and a visit I really recommend.

5- Wicklow mountains

Sure I've been up to Johnny Fox's pub, but that's pretty much it. Glendalough, Sally's gap? I've only seen them in pictures. And again, that's a place I always tell people to go to! 

6- Jameson distillery

Once again, a place I always recommend, especially over the Guinness Storehouse. Yet a place I've never set foot in. According to my sister who actually was there, the tour is very interesting, but the best part is the tasting at the end. Of course.


The list could go on and on, but I think that's enough shame for one day! What about you, is there a tourist attraction you always recommend but have never actually visited?