In celebration of Irish culture, let’s take a moment to acknowledge some of the most beautiful parts of their country. Ireland has no shortage of scenic views and stunning landscapes, so we’ll mention a few that you can keep in your back pocket until you one day make that bucket list trip. According to the CN Traveller, one of the most famous notable spots in Ireland is the Cliffs of Moher. Towering 702 feet above the Atlantic Ocean for about 9 miles along the coastline, these cliffs provide breathtaking views. The best time to visit is at sunset when you may be surrounded by tourists, but you’ll definitely be provided with a fantastic view.

Next, the CN Traveller advises visitors add Connemara to their list of exciting sights. The Connemara region stretches across County Galway and is home to a wide variety of nature including lakes, bogland, mountains filled with sheep, a rugged coastline, hidden bays and charming small towns. You can also see Killary Harbour, Ireland’s only fjord and the Alcock and Brown monument. The 40,000 acre Connemara National Park even features beautiful hiking trails for adventurous travelers.

Another exciting stop in Ireland is one of many former regional railways that have been converted into off-road walking and cycling routes for active visitors to explore. The Waterford Greenway is a 28-mile trail stretching from Waterford to Dungarvan, featuring exciting views of the countryside and old railway tunnels along the way. Lastly, the CN Traveller notes that visiting the city of Dublin is a must. With both the Dublin Bay and the River Liffey, Dublin is a gorgeous city with many views of water and Georgian architecture.

Next, let’s celebrate some of the greatest contributions Ireland has made to the world. And I would be remiss if I did not mention Guinness beer. Founded in 1759, Guinness has become one of the most beloved beers of all time, due to its signature smooth and creamy finish. In 1988, Guinness made history by introducing an innovative “rocket widget” into their cans to keep the drink nitrogenized. Three years later, Guinness was even awarded “the Queen’s Award for Technological Achievement, beating the Internet to be voted by Britons as the best invention of the previous 40 years”.

Another great contribution Ireland has made to the world is creating some wonderful artists. I don’t know what I would do at karaoke nights without being able to sing “Linger” or “Zombie” by the Cranberries. Enya, Van Morrison, Thin Lizzy, Snow Patrol, Sinéad O’Connor, and U2 (Bono and company) are also all Irish. While it can be easy to forget their heritage when their accents are sometimes undetectable in songs, all of these artists are bonded by their culture.

Along the same lines of talented artists, the Irish have made a significant mark in the world of acting as well. Liam Neeson, Pierce Brosnan and Colin Farrell are some of the most notable Irish film actors. But let’s not forget Michael Fassbender, Daniel Day-Lewis and Kenneth Branagh. In recent years, Saoirse Ronan has also made a huge splash in Hollywood by receiving 4 Oscar nominations (for her work in Atonement, Brooklyn, Lady Bird and Little Women) by the age of 26. 

One of the most famous Irish people at the moment is Conor McGregor, the UFC fighter. Known as “The Notorious”, McGregor is the former UFC lightweight and featherweight champion and currently the world’s highest paid athlete. His whiskey brand, Proper No. 12, recently sold for $150 million. Though he’s also famous (or notorious) for his controversial behavior, including a bar fight in Dublin in 2019, and for having a loud mouth, McGregor continues to have millions of supporters worldwide.  

While many of these memes poke fun at England and their complicated history with Ireland, it’s important to understand why the Irish feel that way. Great Britain has a long history of choosing themselves over Ireland, including the Act of Union in 1801. This act fully integrated Ireland into the UK and promised protection for the Irish economy, but within several years, completely abandoned any support and destroyed the Irish economy.  

The Irish potato famine also leads back to the English. While many assume it was purely an unfortunate ecological accident, the Mises Institute reports that “the most glaring cause of the famine was not a plant disease, but England's long-running political hegemony over Ireland”. The English had conquered Ireland more than once and had taken large chunks of land. While the Irish farmers still worked the land, the owners primarily lived in England, remotely managing operations that they were not qualified to run.

In response to the famine, the English did not seem very concerned about saving the Irish. “One account had the people of Massachusetts sending a ship of grain to Ireland that English authorities placed in storage claiming that it would disturb trade. Another report has the British government appealing to the Sultan of Turkey to reduce his donation from £10,000 to £1,000 in order not to embarrass Queen Victoria who had only pledged £1,000 to relief.”

The Irish are a tough bunch who have endured a complicated and difficult history while still managing to make significant contributions to the rest of the world. If bonding over sharing memes and tweets about their culture helps unite them, I'm all for it. Here’s to hoping their country is in for centuries of easier times, let’s see that famous luck of the Irish come through for them. 

Be sure to upvote your favorite posts, and whether you're Irish or not, let us know in the comments what your favorite thing about the beautiful country of Ireland is!