top of page
The way to visit Ireland for the first time is to be hosted by a friend that was born there and regularly travels back home. They take you to the warmest and most welcoming pubs, plus they know all the hidden places to visit.
It may sound a wee bit trite, but the one thing that I was most amazed with in Ireland was the hundreds of stunning shades of green you see in the countryside.
The saturation of color in that countryside is like nothing I’ve ever seen. That kind of beauty talks to me in a different way, which inspires me to do a future story merely on the color green.
Also, the other surprising thing was how comfortable it felt to walk into an Irish pub. We started our trip in Dublin and were immediately immersed in the scene. The food and pubs were exactly what you’d expect. Complete with warm, inviting and friendly folks who are always eager to have a chat.
Possibly because I live in Chicago, where there is a deep history of Irish culture, the camaraderie and pub scene just felt natural.
I also found inspiration in the differences. In Ireland, around every corner, there are everyday scenes that are old-world charming: a worn kettle, a handmade garden gate, narrow lanes, faerie mushrooms and . . .
. . . open shutters everywhere that let in the soft, magical light. Perhaps that’s another story.
bottom of page