In Season 03 of CulturallyOurs which showcased Lifestyle and People around the world, we started a series called letters from a locals all around the world as they take us along a virtual journey of their city, village or hometown. This is a way for us to get to know one another on a personal level without any ‘must see‘ lists or ‘Top 10‘ activities. Getting a local’s point of view is a fantastic way to get a glimpse into the lives of the people of a place, city or country.

Today we travel to the Emerald Isle where Shilpa Harolikar takes us along a journey exploring the towns and culture of Ireland.From Shilpa,

We are a family of four, and moved to Ireland from Singapore in 2018. As a family we love to travel and go on hikes, so it was only natural that we set off exploring Ireland as soon as we could, excited to learn more about this beautiful country that is now our home.

Ireland is called the Emerald Isle for a reason.

Our first trip outside of Dublin, in a town called Carlingford, we got a taste of Irish folklore at a charming storytelling session about leprechauns and fairies that was enjoyable not just for the kids, but for us adults too. Legend says that these leprechauns grant three wishes to whoever manages to capture them and the town of Carlingford holds a national leprechaun hunt and we returned months later to participate. Although we didn’t win that pot of gold, we did have a great time doing the hunt. It was “great craic”, as the Irish say. Fun fact: The Carlingford leprechauns are a protected species under the EU habitats directive.

Ireland is a country with so much outstanding beauty. From sandy beaches, to craggy cliffs, to charming quaint villages and sheep that dot the landscape, it has so much to offer. Road trips with frequent stops at tea rooms, castle tours, touring ancient sights on the way have been popular with all of us as a way to exploring Ireland.The Doonagore Castle in Ireland seems right out of a fairy tale book. And of course, everywhere you drive around the countryside, you see sheep…lots of sheep.A fun way to explore a town’s history listening to Irish rebel songs and stories which are available in many towns across Ireland.Dingle town is a small port town on southwest Ireland’s Dingle Peninsula, known for its rugged scenery, trails and sandy beaches.

Dublin, on the other hand as the capital of Ireland, is a thriving melting pot with sights to see at every corner and cultural events that take place throughout the year, the famous ones being St Patrick’s Day Parade and Pride Parade. With old historic buildings, the exhibition of Book of Kells, a castle, lovely parks, the iconic Molly Malone statue, the pubs crusted with history, there is something for everybody who wants to explore Ireland. And I’ve barely scratched the surface here. Our list of things to see and do keeps growing.You will find many colorful doors all around Dublin. Like all things Irish, there are a few stories associated with the colorful doors you find around Dublin. One fun story says that it was to make it easy for people returning home after a few drinks to recognize their homes. I’m not sure if it holds true, but I like it.Kilmainham Gaol , an important part of Irish history tells stories of heroism, patriotism and great tragedy.

Food culture in Ireland

For a taste of Irish culture and hospitality, pubs are the place to go to. Casual and friendly, this is the place to enjoy good food, listen to traditional Irish music, or watch Irish sports. One memorable experience we’ve had was watching an All Ireland Football Finals between county Dublin and county Kerry. We were on a road trip exploring Ireland in county Kerry at that time and planned the day in such a way so as to end up at a pub to catch the game. The good-natured ribbing and the sheer energy in the place was a great thing to experience. I must admit that I’m not a huge sports fan and the lady sitting next to me was not one too, so we struck up a conversation. So pubs, as we’ve come to know, are a place to make memories and make friends. Traditional pub fare washed down with some Guinness . Potatoes are very popular. It’s not uncommon to find fries, baked potatoes and mashed potatoes all in one plate served as sides. Did I say potatoes are popular? They are an integral part of Irish history.

Historic sights in Ireland

Ireland is home to many historic sites ranging from tombs, fairy forts, standing stones, old abbeys to name just a few. You can spend a few minutes or hours exploring the various legends and stories associated with each one.

The Stone of Destiny on Hill of Tara – the seat of the ancient kings. Legend says the stone roars when touched by the true king. We all tried our luck here! Island of Inisheer is really pretty. Gaelic is still widely spoken here and we even tried to impress the locals by speaking a few words, putting the lessons we were taking to good use. Gaeilge, as the language is called, is taught in schools and is still spoken as the first language in parts of Ireland. All over Dublin and other towns the sign boards appear in English and Irish Gaelic. Dublin’s Irish name is Baile Átha Cliath, in case you were curious.The memorial to the fishermen lost at sea on Aran Islands is also a poignant reminder of this island’s history that revolves around the sea. There are also so many ancient stones all around the island like this portal tomb called dolmen which dates to the Neolithic period, around 3000 BC. Another place with a lot of history and folklore is Blarney Castle, which houses the Blarney Stone on top of the tower. Legend goes that if you kiss the stone, you will be granted the gift of the gab. Kissing it involved a few complex gymnastic moves, and I’m still waiting for my gift to kick in.A place of architectural wonder is the Gallarus Oratory. The well preserved Gallarus Oratory is made entirely of stone masonry and it has remained dry, weathering thousands of storms throughout the centuries. 

Shopping in Ireland

Of course, you cannot leave Ireland without shopping for their world famous Aran Sweaters. Each stitch can impart vast amounts of information and has been intimately linked to Irish clans and their identities. I own one and it’s a cozy addition to the winter wardrobe.Ireland is a beautiful place with stunning sights and loads of history. The best part for me about living here has been the warm and friendly people. The Irish are known for their sense of humor and banter that can put a smile on anybody’s face. We have been busy exploring Ireland as a way to get to know Ireland and have more to do. It has been a treat for a travel crazy family like ours. Things have slowed down a bit because of the pandemic and we can’t wait to re-start safe travel.Thank you so much Shilpa for this amazing tour of Ireland from the eyes of a local. We are in love with all the greenery, castles and culture of the Emerald Isle and cannot wait to come explore it for ourselves. Getting a local’s perspective is such a fantastic way to explore a country and especially one as historic and full of character as Ireland.

{Words and photos by Shilpa; Instagram : @sharolikar }

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