Live Like A Local In Ireland
Everyone needs a break now and again to reassess their lives. And with many Brits making life changing decisions while on holiday, now is the time to do so. The good news is that you don’t need to go far to get a good quality holiday. In fact, a trip across the Irish Sea would allow you to open up your mind to how beautiful Ireland is in general. Ireland has much more to offer than its famous Guinness and Giant’s Causeway. If you don’t want to standout like a tourist, try and follow in the footsteps of the locals. Here are some activities in Ireland that will definitely make you feel like a local.
Wait for the Catch of the Day at Howth
The fishing village of Howth is just a short train ride from Dublin. More importantly, it’s where you can sample the freshest seafood in all of Ireland. The Oar House Restaurant in the West Pier is a good place to try the local Irish sea bass, mackerel, prawns, or even ray wing (skate). The Telegraph advises waiting for the catch of the day, whatever variety of seafood it may be – when it comes to seafood at Howth, the wait is definitely well worth it.
Drink Accordingly
Ireland is famous for its sophisticated drinking culture. There’s nothing wrong with drinking the all-too-famous Guinness. On warmer days however, it’s more appropriate to try Bulmers Hard Apple Cider. Come the evening, feel free to check out The Gin Palace for their collection of over 150 varieties of gin. There’s an art to savouring the local alcohol, and nothing will make you feel like a local more than doing this properly.
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Go on a Road Trip Across the Countryside
The Irish countryside features some of the most picturesque and peaceful natural scenery in all of Europe. This is why a lot of locals enjoy aimlessly driving through Ireland’s long and open highways. The Leenane-Delphi-Louisburgh drive in Country Mayo is one of the best ways to appreciate the nearby Sheeffry hills as well as the distant Connemara Mountains.
Watch the Races at Gowran Park
Near Kilkenny City, you’ll find Gowran Park, home to a mile and four furlongs-long track that regularly plays host to Irish race meetings. Since 1914, Gowran Park has been hosting top-class National Hunt and Flat racing all year round. You can also see great views of the distant Blackstairs Mountains from the racecourse. The Guardian reveals that the best month to visit is September, during the famous Denny Cordell Stakes which draws both locals and tourists to the racecourse.
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Raise the Stakes via the Irish National Lottery
The National Lottery first began in the late 1980s as a way for the country to raise funds for important issues. Since then, it’s been a big part of Ireland’s local culture. In fact, in 2011 alone, an estimated 2.2 million Irish people – which was 64% of the adult population at the time – participated in the lottery. Nowadays, Lottoland details that the Irish Lotto draw offers a minimum jackpot of €2 million (£1.8 million), and it continues to be a popular activity in the country. So go ahead and throw your lot in with the locals. You might even be blessed with the ‘Luck of the Irish’.