{"id":5002,"date":"2019-09-05T08:00:53","date_gmt":"2019-09-05T07:00:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.aerlingus.com\/?p=5002"},"modified":"2024-10-18T09:28:51","modified_gmt":"2024-10-18T09:28:51","slug":"9-great-reasons-to-visit-ireland-this-winter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aerlingus.com\/hub\/9-great-reasons-to-visit-ireland-this-winter\/","title":{"rendered":"9 great reasons to visit Ireland this winter"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Need an excuse for your next winter trip? You\u2019ve come to the right place.<\/h3>\n

Take a look at all the reasons why Ireland should be on your travel hit list.<\/strong><\/h4>\n

From dramatic nature to creature comforts, Ireland in winter is a delight for all the senses. Go when others don\u2019t and see a whole new side to the country.<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0 Avoid the crowds<\/h4>\n

Winter is the off-peak tourist season in Ireland. That means the major attractions have shorter wait times and fewer crowds. Sounds like a win, win! So if you want to see the Guinness Storehouse<\/a>, the Book of Kells<\/a> or any other memorable destinations, a winter trip is just the ticket.<\/p>\n

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Guinness Storehouse, Dublin<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t

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2.\u00a0 Save, save, save<\/h4>\n

One of the main reasons why we love low season travel is that it\u2019s great value for money. If you book off-peak for your next trip, you can enjoy even better value flights<\/a>, accommodation<\/a> and car rental<\/a>. Or why not check out our Vacation Store<\/a> for great value flight and hotel packages and so much more. Then you have even more reason to treat yourself to a few extra luxuries during your trip.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t

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3.\u00a0 Curl up in a castle<\/h4>\n

Do you love the sound of wind and rain while you\u2019re tucked up indoors? Same here. Luckily, Ireland has lots of cozy retreats.<\/p>\n

One of the best places to find unique accommodation is the Irish Landmark Trust<\/a>. Carefully restoring Ireland\u2019s built heritage, they equip historic buildings with everything you need for your cosy getaway. Choose from a miniature medieval castle<\/a>, a Georgian mews<\/a> or even a lighthouse<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t

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4.\u00a0 Indulge in comfort food<\/h4>\n

During your winter trip, treat yourself to some true Irish soul food. Thick slices of homemade brown bread with lashings of butter. Toasted sambos full-to-bursting with sharp cheddar cheese and a dab of Ballymaloe Relish<\/a>. Many mouthwatering meals lie ahead\u2026<\/p>\n

For seafood lovers in the northern part of the country, the chowder in Nancy\u2019s Barn Ballyliffin<\/a> is a must. This restaurant is even the proud winner of the 2019 All-Ireland Chowder Cook Off.<\/p>\n

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Another delicacy to put on that list is Irish stew. In fact, the Lonely Planet included the dish in its top 50 food experiences in the world<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t

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5.\u00a0 Seasonal shopping<\/h4>\n

Need to pick up a few Christmas gifts? There are lots of opportunities to find thoughtful pieces on your winter trip.<\/p>\n

Get into the festive spirit in the Viking city of Waterford and its Winterval <\/a>festival. As well as winter activities, there are Christmas markets full of stalls selling handmade crafts.<\/p>\n

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Just outside Dublin city centre, the Gifted Fair in the RDS<\/a> is a Mecca for Christmas shoppers. Sculpture, skincare, socks. They\u2019ve got it all.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t

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6.\u00a0 It\u2019s showtime<\/h4>\n

Culture vultures have plenty to do in Ireland in the colder months. Why not head to the National Opera House in Wexford<\/a> to see what’s on this winter?<\/p>\n

Meanwhile in Dublin, a modern retelling of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens<\/a> is taking up residence in The Gate.<\/p>\n

Travelling with kids? Then pantomime season is essential. If you\u2019re in Cork, take a chance on those magic beans with Jack And The Beanstalk<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t

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7.\u00a0 Winter solstice Newgrange<\/h4>\n

Did you know that Ireland has a structure older than the Egyptian pyramids? Newgrange passage tomb<\/a> was built 5,200 years ago by Stone Age farmers.<\/p>\n

On the shortest day of the year, it reveals itself as a marvel of ancient engineering. The inner passageway is illuminated as the sun rises on the winter solstice each year.<\/p>\n

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If you\u2019re very lucky, you can even experience this from within Newgrange itself. There\u2019s a lottery<\/a> for tickets to enter on the winter solstice.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t

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8.\u00a0 Wrap up and explore<\/h4>\n

When the weather gets colder, a certain mid-winter magic descends on Ireland\u2019s most scenic spots. Wrap up, venture outside and see it for yourself.<\/p>\n

The dramatic coastline of the Wild Atlantic Way<\/a> is always worth a visit. In winter, the choppier water and starker landscapes make the scenery even more captivating. This is also the perfect time to take in the Cliffs of Moher<\/a>, as you\u2019ll avoid the peak season crowds.<\/p>\n

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On the other side of the country, Glendalough<\/a> is wonderful for winter hikes. With each step, you get closer to stunning views of the valley and its two lakes.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t

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9. Sip on something special<\/h4>\n

Ireland does cosy winter pubs very well. Settle in to a centuries-old room, find a comfortable chair and warm yourself in front of a roaring fire. It\u2019s just about as idyllic as it gets.<\/p>\n

Wondering what to drink? Of course Guinness is ubiquitous and there are lots of nice craft beer options<\/a>. But there are some distinctly wintery drinks to sample too. Hot ports and hot whiskeys are perfect when you\u2019ve just come in from the cold. And for a sweet ending to the night, try a Brandy Baileys. Trust us, it\u2019s more delicious than it sounds.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Ready to plan your winter trip to Ireland?\u00a0Find great value flight deals.<\/h4>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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Book Now<\/h5>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":5055,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2270,1469,1430],"class_list":["post-5002","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-city-trip","category-destinations","category-routes"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n9 great reasons to visit Ireland this winter - Aer Lingus Hub<\/title>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n