More than 100,000 Nigerians travel to the United Kingdom every year, with many heading for London and exploring one of the world’s biggest, oldest, and most diverse metropolises. But few make the trip over the Irish Sea to explore the Emerald Isle. And that’s a shame, as this destination has so much to offer.
It is Passionate About Sports and Gaming
The UK is famed for its relaxed gambling laws and it’s home to many betting shops, bingo halls, and casinos. It also has a flourishing online gambling market, but it’s not the only one. Ireland has similar laws and you may actually find more options. Even as a tourist, you may still be able to find some sites and place some wagers while here.
Free spins are the most common offer provided on these sites, and they are in plenty supply. We recommend collecting what you can online, visiting a few land-based venues, and filling your boots!
There are some big stadiums here, too, and the locals love their rugby, Gaelic football, and football. Ireland is even set to co-host the 2028 European Championships.
It is Affordable
Compared to cities like London, Dublin is very cheap, and if you stay outside of the capital, it’s even cheaper. That applies to the accommodation and attractions, as well as the food and drink. There are also many attractions you can see for free, including outdoor hotspots and museums.
It Has Lots of History to Discover
Irish history is long and storied. It is interwoven into some fascinating mythology and spans endless conflicts among Irish city states, as well as the English, Scottish, and Vikings. Castles and ancient forts aren’t just in Scotland and England. Ireland has more than its fair share as well, including some of the oldest and most beautiful on the British Isles.
The Food and Drink is Amazing
When you think of good whiskey, you probably think of Scotland (where they actually drop the “e” and call it “whisky”). But the Scots learned everything they know from the Irish and while Scotland has more award-winning distilleries, Ireland has some of the very best bottles. It’s the home of Jameson’s, a hugely popular brand among casual whiskey lovers. It’s also where you’ll find Redbreast, which is near the top of the list for every connoisseur.
And then you have the beers and ales, including the world-famous Guinness. On the food side of things, the Irish are very passionate about their tea and drink more black tea per capita than the English.
Be sure to try the following dishes and drinks the next time you’re in Ireland:
Irish stew
Colcannon
Boxty
Bacon and cabbage
Barmbrack
Irish soda bread
Corned beef
Irish Coffee
Irish seafood chowder
Traditional Irish breakfast
If you’re in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, or even Belfast north of the border, you’ll find many award-winning restaurants, too, and these serve all kinds of delicious international dishes.
It is Full of Natural Wonders
Ireland is a surprisingly big country, but lots of small villages and towns that sit in picturesque locations and look like something out of film. It’s no coincidence that so many romantic stories have been set here, and if you venture away from the big cities and off the beaten track, you can explore all of it for yourself.
Some of the best natural wonders to discover in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland include:
The Giant’s Causeway
Ring of Kerry
Cliffs of Moher
Connemara
Dun Briste Sea Stack
Rathlin Island
The Mourne Mountains
Killarney National Park
The Burren
Powerscourt Waterfall
The People Are Wonderful
The Irish are famed for their craic, a term used to denote any kind of fun conversation, whether you’re gossiping over your neighbours or just having a light-hearted conversation and sharing a few jokes. They are very open and friendly, and it’s not unusual to be approached by a friendly—and possibly tipsy—local in a pub who is interested in what you have to say. These guys also have all the best stories, so buy them a pint of Guinness and see what they have to say!
It’s Famous for its Live Music
Ireland has a long and rich history of folk music. It’s one of the few countries in the world where you can walk into any pub and hear the sweetest folk music. Most venues have some kind of live music and while they break out into pop and rock every now and then, many of the traditional venues stick with their folk stuff.
Summary: Book Your Tickets to Ireland
After reading all of that, you’re no doubt ready to book a flight to the Emerald Isle and experience all that it has to offer for yourself! Just remember, there are two different Irelands. The Republic of Ireland is in the south and is the main focus of this guide. Northern Ireland is in the north, and while it’s on the same island and is a very beautiful location, it’s part of the United Kingdom.