After a long seven-hour overnight flight from Atlanta, Mrs. G and I have landed in Ireland, ready to spend the next two weeks circling the island and uncovering as many hidden corners as we can. From dramatic coastlines and ancient castle ruins to storybook villages and spirited pubs, we’re diving headfirst into everything this breathtaking island has to offer.
When I say “Ireland,” I mean the whole island. That includes the Republic of Ireland (an independent country in the European Union) and Northern Ireland (part of the United Kingdom). In the spirit of the journey, I thought I’d share some fascinating facts about Ireland — things that don’t always make the travel brochures. Here are a few of my favorites:
No Snakes, No Joke
There are no native snakes in Ireland. You won’t find a single slithering reptile in the wild here. The story of St. Patrick driving out the snakes is more legend than literal, but the snakes never made it here after the last Ice Age.
The Harp, Not the Shamrock
The official national symbol of Ireland is the Celtic harp—not the shamrock, as many people assume. While the shamrock is considered the national plant and remains a beloved emblem of Irish identity, it’s the harp that officially represents the state. Fun twist: the Guinness beer company also uses a harp as its logo — but they had to flip the design to avoid copyright issues with the government.
I’ve Got Irish Roots, Too
More than 80 million people worldwide claim Irish ancestry, which is more than 16 times the island’s population. I’m one of them. It’s special to be here, walking the same green hills and ancient paths my ancestors once knew.
Castles, Castles And More Castles
Ireland is home to an estimated 30,000 castles and castle ruins. Some are sprawling estates, others are crumbling towers covered in ivy. And yes—we’re trying to see as many as we can.
The Titanic Was Built in Belfast
The Titanic, famously launched in 1912, was built on the island — in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Today, the shipyard is home to the Titanic Belfast museum, a fascinating tribute to the ship’s creation, voyage, and tragic end.
Over the next two weeks, I’ll share photos and stories from our journey around this magical island. Whether we’re tracing ancient footsteps, hiking rugged cliffs, or savoring a pint of Guinness at a local pub, I know this will be a trip we’ll never forget.
Bain sult as an turas!
(That’s Irish for Enjoy the journey!)
Sláinte!