Whether you have read it or not, James Joyce’s main work Ulysses had a huge impact on literature. The novel follows two protagonists and their actions around Dublin in Ireland, over the course of June 16, 1904.

And we in Dublin are pretty proud of our own literary genius Joyce (even though he left Ireland at the age of 22 and stayed mostly abroad until his death in 1941) - so if you happen to be in Dublin today, don’t be surprised if you see men and women wearing outfits from the 1910’s, reciting Ulysses on street corners. It’s Bloomsday after all.

Image via, taken by TedRheingold

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When it comes to the valuation of art, I’m a pessimist. Especially after the experiences I made as a musician in Germany, before moving to Ireland.

In direct comparison (although I’m not an expert) I would say there is a noticeable difference between Germany and Ireland when it comes to the valuation of art and acceptance of new artists. From what I’ve seen, the independent artists here in Ireland are much more easier accepted as artists by the public than in Germany, where most artists are only considered so when this is declared as profession on their tax declaration.

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What do Severo Ochoa (Nobel prize for medicine) and Fernando Alonso (formula 1 racing driver, world champion) have in common? They were born in Asturias, a part of northwest Spain really worth a visit!

Last summer, I took a trip to Asturias for the first time and I have felt a strong connection with this land ever since. I visited one of my favourite cousins, who had moved from a vibrant European city to a small Asturian town. As a city girl, I was eager to know how she could change the excitement of the city for the land of cheeses and cider. Now I know!

Asturias is just stunning! It has amazing golden sand beaches, a picturesque countryside, and lakes where the cows are allowed to live freely. One of the things that stroke me the most is how the region reminded me of Ireland and Scotland because of the rain and the landscapes that rain creates. Another aspect in common between these three lands is that they play bagpipes. And another remarkable point is asturianos drink cider, whereas in the rest of Spain, people usually drink wine or beer.

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For most people, the 17th of March every year marks the one day when everyone can become Irish. And rightly so: wherever there’s an Irish pub in this world, may this be Macao, Cancun or even Reykjavik, you’ll get the chance to sip at a Guinness and try your singing skills at the “Irish Rover” and (of course) “Whiskey in the Jar“.

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And how to celebrate St. Patrick’s day? (more…)

..or at least a limited number. As Ireland is a major holiday destination (especially during the summer months), it’s quite difficult to escape the guided-tour buses and camera-wielding crowds most of the time, even more so when you visit the “must-sees” as mentioned in most travel guides: the Cliffs of Moher, Blarney Castle (and Blarney Stone) or the Ring of Kerry.

That’s why I thought I’d give you an overview of some of Ireland’s not-so-crowded destinations, which will still give you a good (first) impression of the Emerald Isle. You may also combine these with a longer intineray.

Dunmore East

If you’re looking for a nice little getaway at the sea, with Waterford and its impressive Viking history at hand, Dunmore East is the place to go. Excellent connection to road and rail network, but still a feeling of remoteness prevails here with the 5 local pubs, 3 bed and breakfasts and 1 hotel.

I recommend to visit it in Autumn or Winter to enjoy a look at the ocean battering at the quay wall while sitting snug into a pub and enjoying a warm fireplace and a cold Guinness. It only gets crowded during the annual Bluegrass Festival.

West Cork

Less crowded than the Ring of Kerry or Connemara, this is scenic Ireland at it’s best. Travel along the N71, passing by the small towns of Baltimore and Schull, and end your journey at Irelands most south-western point, where the Atlantic splashes against the rocks beneath the Mizen Head-lighthouse.

Slieve League

Impressive sea-cliffs are your thing? Forget about the Cliffs of Moher. The Slieve League-cliffs are the highest sea-cliffs in Europe and not for the faint-hearted. Avoid after rainfalls. The ground gets slippy….

Achil Island

In the very north-west corner of Ireland lies this little gem, almost a miniature-Ireland in itself. Extrordinary beaches allure flocks of surfers in summer, but also outside the main season the Atlantic Drive and the scattered ruins all along the mountains make for a nice and scenic visit.

Glendalough

Glendalough, you are asking? The one tourist attraction that’s easiest accessible from Dublin and Lonely Planet lists as “the one thing to see when Ireland”. And still it is on this list. Because if you visit in autumn, during a heavy rain shower, or in winter when everything is cold, damp and miserable, I promise that you’ll have the place almost for yourself. And Glendalough during heavy rain (and with the right attire) has an eerie charm for itself. But by all means don’t. Visit. During. Summer. It’s like an Irish Disneyland complete with foodstalls and buses full of schoolchildren.

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Today we introduce another contributor, Marcel, with a great first post about the Next Big Thing in Dublin. In his own words:

Find Marcel on his personal blog King of Pain (in German and English) or at Dublin Community Blog where he is a contributor.

Ireland’s capital Dublin has recently joined the list of European cities to have its own bike sharing scheme, including Seville, Brussels, Nice, Paris, Cologne and many more.

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There are 40 bicycle stations throughout the city. These are located in close proximity to each other, every station has a minimum of 15 stands and so there are a total of 450 bikes meaning that access to bikes is relatively easy - and it’s also quite easy to get around town. There are no reports about stolen or vandalized bikes yet, and I’ve seen many people using the bikes througout the city. You can find all necessary information on the operator’s website.

Photo credit

I think that theses bike rental initiatives are a really good thing, especially as most bikes are free to use (for a limited time though - the first 30 minutes are free in Dublin) and it’s a healthy way to discover a city. Depending on the local traffic that is - and it’s less exhausting to bike around in flat Dublin in October than in hilly Nice in the August heat.

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Cheese on toast is a favourite snack for anyone who grew up in the UK. Thanks to Orlipix for sharing this one.

Do you want to share photos of your country’s food? Join our photo group on Flickr and show us your photos.

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