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20th December 2016
12:18am GMT
When I came to Ireland last year, I fell in love with the country.
And so, when it came to planning this summer, my destination was a no-brainer – I was going to come back to the country that, more and more, is starting to feel like home.
Here's why.
It’s quite the dramatic change for me: food goes bad in three days in Ireland, rather than the three weeks that I’m used to in America.
And the fish... oh, I could just live on the fish forever.
Speaking of fresh fish...
It would be very difficult for me to express just how incredible it is to be able to hop on a bike for 20 minutes and be suddenly seaside, listening to the waves crash. I’m a brutal 1,400 miles away from an ocean back home.
This contrast is just stunning. Appreciate where you live.
Like the States, the east and west coasts of Ireland offer completely different vibes – but unlike the States, they're just a two-hour bus journey apart.
Refreshing, exciting and brilliant to know how close you always are to a complete change of scenery.
I’ll admit – I’m a coffee snob. But I was pleasantly surprised by the remarkable coffee scene here in Dublin. And then I found out where to get the best coffee in every county in Ireland.
So yeah. I’ll stick around.
Bray to Greystones; the Wicklow Way; Howth Cliff Walk; The Prom in Galway; Glendalough Lake; The Cliffs of Moher, for God's sake.
All beauts and extremely accessible.
Fire-stone pizza? Fresh salmon? Cheesy nachos? BYOB sushi? Greasy chips? Healthy pick-me-ups?
Besides an initial difficulty in finding Cholula Hot Sauce (which I actually located in Tolteca for €4), I don’t have withdrawals from anything back home. That makes all the difference.
The Irish are always cracking jokes, always engaging in conversation and always looking for a good time. Pints are not required, but definitely encouraged.
And speaking of pints – these don't taste quite the same in America.
Dublin specifically is absolutely buzzing with lads age 24-34; my preferred demographic.
We have these in the States, of course. But they're not the same.
Even in big ol' Dublin city, there’s always someplace near to step away for a breath of fresh air. Phoenix Park, Dun Laoghaire Pier, Merrion Square, St Stephen’s Green, Seapoint.
Do you people realise how spoiled you are?!
Waaaay more chilled out. It’ll happen when it happens. No need to stress; I mean, feck, it’ll be grand.
Could do with a bit more of that back home.
What is life without these brilliant shops? My clothes and my groceries are actually half the price... yet somehow, better.
There’s just nothing like it anywhere else, and sometimes I'm not even sure that you locals realise it.
Free concerts every night? I’ll take it.
Although I have an extensive list of Irish phrases that absolutely baffle me, I can’t deny loving the Hiberno-English language.
Whatever the topic, I’m constantly entertained just eavesdropping on conversations.
My man Anthony Bourdain once said: “If you hate Irish people, then you hate mankind.”
It’s 100% true – the people here are what make the experience. The Irish hospitality is real, and the people's friendly, genuine nature has truly stolen my heart.
Long may it continue...
