As we have found on this trip, Ireland is extremely successful at bringing people into its country. Whether it is for tourism, visiting family, or business, the stay is just as enjoyable. The people, food, and scenery are like nothing I have experienced in all of my travels. On any corner, I can find someone who is willing to help me with directions and give me advice on the cool places to go in Ireland. I think the biggest competitive advantage Ireland has is its deep rooted history and dedication to preserving the culture created centuries ago. We witnessed this on our trip to Pearse Lyons and Croke Park, and many other times throughout the site visits. Something else that attracts both business and tourism is that people speak English. This makes it so much easier to get around and communicate with locals. It truly is a perfect vacation for someone who has never left the United States before, because it is so easy to adapt to.

However, Ireland also faces some challenges when trying to attract tourists. I have read in some articles that Dublin is not seen as “family friendly” because of the association with bars, pubs, and disorderly humans. Also, it is way easier to keep a child’s attention span somewhere on a beach or DisneyLand, perhaps! Another huge downside is how expensive everything is. Speaking from personal experience, my bank account it looking ROUGH after this trip (it’s fine though, more proof I’m eating good).

Overall, this is a place I would revisit. The people are wonderful and very willing to help you make the most of your stay. Twice now, I have had locals physically walk me to where I wanted to go to ensure I didn’t get lost. I have also had locals recommend delicious restaurants and beautiful scenic routes. These types of things don’t typically happen in the United States. I have explored all sorts of villages outside of Dublin, and pretty much walked through the entire city of Dublin to ensure I learned as much about the history and culture as possible. I am not looking forward to leaving 🙁