Harvard Student Agencies - Lets Go Ireland: The Student Travel Guide

LETS GO

www.letsgo.com

researcher-writers

Adeline Byrne
William Locke

staff writers

Holly Cao
Ronit Malka

research manager

Clmence Faust

editor

Mallory Weiss

managing editor

Mark Warren

ADELINE BYRNE. Addie, driven by wanderlust and an unmatched enthusiasm for Irish spirits, traversed the Emerald Isle and made it her own. Always living on the edge, she progressed from dodging junkies in Northside to teetering on cliffs at the end of the earth, and is probably still where we left her: bellowing drinking songs with old Irish men in a forgotten pub.

WILLIAM LOCKE. Will handled the islands northernmost cities, adeptly researching the best student and budget haunts on both sides of the border. From Belfast to Westport, this always good-natured researcher left a trail of lasting peace behind him, which we expect will be sung of for centuries.

Did you find a four-leaf clover? You mustve, since youre lucky enough to be in Ireland, the land of leprechauns and pots o gold. Okay, maybe thats just the Ireland in our heads and on cereal boxes. But, believe it or not, the real Ireland is better. What is better than tiny green men and rainbows, you ask? Well, full-grown Irishmen (with brogues) and fish n chips. (Do rainbows leave you with the ever-satisfying food coma? I dont think so. But, then again, weve never eaten a rainbow before.) Ireland is chock full of castles and pubs, parks and Riverdance. There is a reason why a country that sees so much rain is full of so many happy people. So go see what those Irish eyes are smiling about.

Do you have an umbrella? Great! Then the seatbelt sign of your trip is turned off, and you can feel free to move about Ireland. If youre in Ireland, it will rain. The Irish didnt get so pale for nothing. But dont be discouraged; the weather is temperate year-round, making even winter a pleasant time to visit. But it isnt cloudy every day, so take the rain with a Guinness and enjoy the sunshine when it pokes its way through the mist.

Ireland is at its sunniest in May and June, though that isnt saying much. The island sees the most tourists in July and August, so expect accommodations and sights to be more crowded and the prices to increase slightly. Mid-November to February is a good time to visit if youre a duck or get a family-discount at LL Bean.

Hearts, stars, and horseshoes. Clovers and blue moons. Pots of gold and rainbows. And Lets Gos red (hot air) balloon!

HEARTS: Head to Dublins La Vita () for their Salad of Hearts and other vegetarian delights.

STARS: Offering an unbeatable buffet during the day and a raucous pub at night, the Morning Star () is one of Belfasts gems.

HORSESHOES: If youre looking for a traditional Irish experience, hit up the Bleeding Horse Tavern () and sidle up to the bar.

CLOVERS: Get a taste of Ireland as you sip down the frothy shamrock the Reel Inn () draws in the foam of your Guinness.

BLUE MOONS: Half Moon Crepes () in Dublin will leave you feeling anything but blue.

POTS OF GOLD: Right off of what was known as Belfasts Golden Mile, Bookfinders Cafe () is rich with classic literature and a comfortable atmosphere.

RAINBOWS: A different kind of tasty, GLBT-friendly Pantibar () gets pumpin on the weekends.

green with envy

ST. STEPHENS GREEN: Embrace nature right in the heart of Dublin at this palm-tree adorned park ().

FITZGERALD PARK: A great way to spend your time in Cork, this park has walking paths along the river and a sequined tree ().

KILLARNEY NATIONAL PARK: A must-see, this park offers lakeside paths, green mountains, and the famous Meeting of the Waters ().

THE PEOPLES PARK: Spend some time among the well-tended gardens in this Limerick park ().

BURREN NATIONAL PARK: Check out the rocky Ennis countryside and the variety of flowers that dot the landscape ().

What do Pierce Brosnan, Liam Neeson, and Bono all have in common? Thats right, theyre all hunky Irishmen. What do the following establishments have in common? Thats right, theyre all places named after what we can only assume are hunky Irishmen.

IT MAY NOT BE GOSLING: But this Ryan is a close second; head to Ryans Bar () in Kilkenny for a drink among some slightly racy decor.

A STATUE OF AN AUTHOR AS AN OLD MAN: No one has pulled off round frame eyeglasses like this guy since Harry Potter; gawk at the James Joyce Statue () in Dublin for a little eye-candy.

COOLER THAN THE KRAKEN: McCrackens () isnt a legendary sea monster, but this Belfast pub is legendary in its own right, creating a twist on the traditional Irish style.

OH, HAPPY DAY: St. Patricks Day, that is. Honor Irelands patron saint (and one handsome devil) at