5 Things You Shouldn't Miss On A Trip To Ireland And Wales

5 Vacation Ideas in Wales & Ireland

Name	Location(s)	About
Abrakebabra	Throughout Ireland	Fast-food chain known for Middle Eastern dishes such as doner, shawarma, and falafel
Mizen to Malin	Throughout Ireland	Offered by the Wild Atlantic Cycling tour company, it's an end-to-end cycle tour of Ireland, featuring rugged coastline, Irish music, unique landscapes, and lively pubs
Tomos Watkin	Swansea, Wales	Award-winning family-run brewery offering private tours, with a behind-the-scenes look and an open bar tasting session in the private tap room
North & West Coast Links Golf	Galway, Ireland	Creates golf vacation packages for clients, providing accommodation, transport, dinners, culture and heritage, recreational experiences, and more
The Vale of Rheidol Railway	Aberystwyth, Wales	Offers rides on restored Edwardian steam trains, with scenic trips through the ancient woodlands to Devil's Bridge

The Breathtaking Scenery of Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way

5 Facts About Ireland

Celtic tribes first arrived on the island between 600 & 150 BCE
As of a 2011 estimate, 66.1% of Ireland's land is used for agriculture
Over 40% of the population resides within 100km of Dublin
As of 2016, 78.3% of Irish people identify as Catholic
Ireland gained independence from the UK in 1921

Things To Bring on Your Next Vacation

Travel size toiletries that won't take up too much space
Keep your dirty clothes separate from the clean ones with a laundry bag
A money belt for easy access to cash & cards
If you're traveling with kids, you might want to bring along some games
Depending on your preference, either a backpack or some nice luggage
Cozy pillows can improve any long flight or car trip
If you're going to a country where you don't know the language, a translator can be a big help
A travel mug for your coffee or tea

See Wales on the Vale of Rheidol Railway

In Depth

The Dublin of Ulysses; the Welsh border country of Raymond Williams; the fighting spirit of Irish republicanism concretized in cities like Derry: there is so much rich cultural history to explore in Ireland and Wales, two beautiful lands whose people and natural resources were ruthlessly exploited by British colonizers. This list, presented in no particular order, highlights can't-miss stops on your next trip to Ireland and Wales.

For #1, we have Abrakebabra, a fast-food chain in Ireland with locations in Dublin, Cork, Kildare, Waterford, and elsewhere. It is primarily known for its Middle Eastern dishes such as Doner, Shawarma, and Falafel, but also offers modern variations on this cuisine, with menu items such as the Taco Kebab.

Actor Colin Farrell has talked about his love of Abrakebabra on Jimmy Kimmel's nighttime talk show. The restaurant sells many varieties of loaded fries, such as the rodeo variation, which comes with onion rings, sour cream, bacon, and bar-be-que sauce. Two of its signature condiments are available for sale at SuperValu supermarkets in Ireland.

Two of its signature condiments are available for sale at SuperValu supermarkets in Ireland.

Next up, at #2, we have Mizen to Malin, colloquially known as Mizmal. It is an end-to-end bicycle tour of Ireland. There are two route options: a 7-day or 12-day trip. Throughout the journey, cyclists stay in and eat breakfast at local hotels or guest houses, and a crew is available along the route to support participants as needed.

On the 7-day journey, cyclists can expect to cover 575 miles, averaging 90 per day. The route takes participants along the Mizen Peninsula to Bantry Bay, through Donegal as well as the Cork and Kerry mountains. Those on the longer, 12-day journey will visit Clifden, which has views of glacial fjords at Killary Harbor.

The #3 entry is Tomos Watkin Brewery, located in Swansea, South Wales. Visitors can book a private tour, which includes a behind-the-scenes look at the facility and an open bar tasting session in the taproom. Visitors will have the chance to ask the master brewers questions about the company's beers and ciders.

Visitors will have the chance to ask the master brewers questions about the company's beers and ciders.

Tomos Watkin is a family-owned business and was named Best Brewery in Swansea in the Jack Swan Awards of 2018. Beer types include an old-style bitter, an espresso stout, a lager, and more. There is also a line of ciders, flavored with either apples or berries. Fans of the brewery can buy glassware imprinted with the logo on it.

Coming in at #4 is North and West Coast Links Golf, which offers customizable golf trips to Ireland. Visitors can choose from various packages, which vary in location, length of stay, and accommodations. The "Hidden Gems" experience is a 10-day trip, which includes eight rounds at these clubs and more: Enniscrone, Donegal, and Portsalon.

For those wishing to book a shorter trip, the Enniscrone Dunes Escape is a 2-day package that includes a stay at the four-star Mount Falcon Estate. Breakfast and two rounds of golf are included. Travelers can arrange to have their luggage shipped ahead of time so that any sporting equipment can arrive safely and efficiently in advance of arrival.

Travelers can arrange to have their luggage shipped ahead of time so that any sporting equipment can arrive safely and efficiently in advance of arrival.

The final entry, #5, is the Vale of Rheidol Railway, located in Aberystwyth, Wales. It is a scenic steam train journey running 12 miles. On the tour, one can see red kites, a rare bird of prey, the Devil's Bridge Waterfalls, and the Pine Marten Den. The railway offers special nighttime train trips on Halloween.

For a small fee, visitors can operate the steam train for a short section of the journey. There are shops at both ends of the railway, where travelers can purchase gifts and souvenirs and light refreshments and local produce. There are books on trains as well as children's locomotive sets available to buy.