Ireland....Best Beef
- Luke Griffin
- Aug 13
- 4 min read
This post is long overdue...In April of this year I was fortunate enough to spend time in Ireland. Where a good part of my family comes from. If you have never been, I suggest adding it to your bucket list. It is truly one of the most beautiful places to visit.
From jaw dropping cliffs, expansive national parks, to the most welcoming and friendly pubs, Ireland has something for everyone.
This was a trip of a lifetime so I was going to see and do as much as possible without feeling too rushed. I visited over 40 different towns, coastal communities and local recommendation spots. I rented a vehicle (driving in Ireland is not for the faint of heart)...The roads area actually like you see in the movies!
For some reason my expectations when it came to the food were not overly filled with excitement...Maybe because Ireland does get a lot of recognition for their abilities to create some of the best comfort food I have ever had. Rolling hills and grazing livestock must be the secret to the best beef I have ever eaten.
Dublin; What a vibrant city...Pubs on every corner, great food, beautiful landmarks and so much history. It was easy to see why its a destination to so many. We spent time walking the streets, visiting ancient cathedrals, touring castles, Trinity College. Soaking in the history of The Book of Kells (The Old Library), The Guinness factory/Storehouse, The Brazen Head (Dublin's oldest pub where I ordered a traditional Irish stew, amazing beef) and many more local watering holes and shopping stores...
We headed north for a couple of days to Belfast (home of George Ivan Morrison - Van Morrison). This city was full of life and friendly people. A spot that quickly became our favourite for meeting new people and having a cold pint was The Duke of York Pub. This place filled quickly and the pints were always perfect.
When in Belfast, I highly recommend the Titanic Museum. Its pretty eye opening to get such an in depth look into what went into creating these massive ocean liners back then.
With only a couple days in the north, we also hit up The Giants Causeway This jaw dropping coastal scene is one you should not miss. Drove over to Derry to check out the famous Derry Walls.
Along the coastal route there were many places to stop, stretch your legs and take in the ancient history that has come to shape Ireland to today.
Bray, in County Wicklow, has a beautiful expansive beach, waterfront ice cream shops, little coffee shops and some great hiking to expansive lookouts. Powerscourt Waterfall is definite must within the same County.
Cork, in County Cork, is a vibrant, full of culture city. The second largest in the Republic of Ireland. I spent a couple of days here exploring the city and shops, but the most memorable experience was, of course, The Blarney Castle + Gardens. Very well kept outdoor spaces with trails, lots of history and folklore stories. Take the time here, walk the trails, climb the castle, kiss the stone and visit The Wishing Steps!
One place to sure not too miss that has not been overly shared on social media...The Cliffs of Kerry. Much like the popular Cliffs of Moher but not over crowded. These expansive cliffs offer a breathtaking view of the wild Atlantic as the waves crash against them.
Limerick! Oddly enough, ended up being my favourite city in Ireland. The streets make you feel like you are actually walking in the past. King John's Castle, Saint Mary's Cathedral, the walk along Shannon river all comes together to make you feel "at home". Having coffee on the park bench in the early morning along the waterway was a great way to start the day.
Galway...Cliffs of Moher...AND...Aran Islands...OMG OMG does not come close to describing the few days I spent in this part of Ireland. Galway a fun city, amazing beef burgers, steaks and pints. Cliffs of Moher, of course jaw dropping...BUT...believe it or not the best experience here was in Doolin and catching the ferry to Inisheer (the first Aran Island). Here, they still speak Irish (not Gaelic) and my tour guide was so friendly and knowledgeable. This island has beautiful beaches, a shipwreck to explore and coble stone streets to roam. It was on my visit to Inisheer that I encountered a quaint little coffee shop Cafe Una...this place was so unassuming but it truly had the best coffee I have ever tasted throughout my little travels over the years. I can still taste the richness when I think of this place.
Making my way back to Dublin for my final few days I was able to stop along the way in Athlone which is home to Seans Bar, dating back to 900 AD, Irelands' oldest pub on record. The whole town screams of history, stories and pride. A must stop along the way.
Trim Castle was another great resting point. You can freely tour the grounds and try to envision the scenes from Braveheart, as it was at this location where the movie came to life.
All these great places and experiences...but the one thing that stuck with me throughout the entire journey, was the quality of beef. Smaller cows, allowed to freely graze...Should make us think back here in Canada, why are we doing it differently? From stewing beef, sirloins, tenderloins, striploins, tomahawks' and ribeyes...the flavour and quality in Ireland is second to none in my opinion.
Check through the gallery for just a few pics....thanks for reading!
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