A ‘Gaeltacht’ region is an area where Irish only (or mostly) is spoken. Unfortunately, the national language of Ireland is not spoken commonly amongst the Irish people. Everyone learns it in school, but very few go to on speak it after or even remember how to speak it, bar cúpla focal (a few words). Certain areas in Ireland are known as Gaeltacht areas, where only Irish is spoken. It is spoken at home, at school, in shops and to family and friends. These areas are mostly quite rural and densely populated, with few people living in them. All the road signs will also be written in Irish, as well as posters and what not in shops and public places. If you can get to a Gaeltacht area, it is highly recommended to do so, where you can immerse yourself in the language.
Where are the Gaeltacht area’s?
As of 2016 there was an estimated 99,617 people living in Gaeltacht areas. Parts of counties Donegal, Mayo, Galway, Kerry, Cork, Meath and Waterford are all Gaeltacht regions.
In Galway the best Gaeltacht regions are An Spiddéal and An Cheathrú Rua, which are both west from Galway City Centre. In Kerry, the best Gaeltacht regions are Corca Dhuibhne (The Dingle Peninsula) and Uíbh Ráthach (Iveragh Peninsula). Dingle town is a pretty place to see and visit and is famous for being home to over 30 pubs and Fungie the friendly Dolphin.
Some Irish words and sayings to know.
Hello -Dhia Dhuit (Dee-a Gwitch)
Good Bye – Slan (Slaawn)
Thank You – Go raibh maith agat (Gu rev maw ag-at )
How are you? – Conas atá tú? (konis ah-taw to)
Good – Go Maith (Gu maw)
Where is – Cá bhfuil (Caw vu-wil)
Rain – Báistí (bawis-tee)
Wet – Fluich (fluck)
My name is ****** – ***** is anim dom (***** is an-im dum)
Here at Perfect Irish Trip we have a huge appreciation for nature, animals and wildlife. We also believe in admiring said wild life from affair in their natural habitats. We are lucky in Ireland to have many amazing animals to admire in the wild. Some animals even have regular interaction with humans in the wild, like Fungie The Friendly Dolphin in Dingle or Dusty the Dolphin who can be spotted around County Clare. Below we have listed some of the best wildlife spots around Ireland.
Wild Ireland
Wild Ireland is an animal sanctuary set up by Killian McLoughlin, that rehabilitates animals and also houses animals once native to Ireland. Amongst the animals are 3 brown bears, European wolves, a lynx (the original Celtic Tiger), an otter and red deer, red deer, red foxes, an owl, an otter and many more. All animals have been rescued from cruel circumstances such as circuses, illegal trade and neglect. Killian worked closely with three international charities to bring the animals to his 23 acre site that they now call home. To visit Wild Ireland or to learn more click into – Wild Ireland
Fungie The Dolphin
Fungie the friendly bottle-nosed dolphin has built a home and a fanbase for himself on the Dingle shores. Fungie first said hello over 30 years ago to fishermen who gave him his name. He comes and goes as he pleases in and out of the Dingle harbour to say hello to passing boats. He is quite a rare dolphin who chooses to spend more time playing alongside boats with a frequent jump out to say hello to humans, rather than spending time with other dolphins. No boat tour guarantees that you will see Fungie and if he is not on the shores of the harbour where he knows the boats will be, he is then left alone to do as he please wherever he may be. For more information click into – Fungie The Dolphin
The Saltee Islands
The Saltee Islands are a haven for sea birds, nurturing an impressive array of birds, from Gannets and Gulls to Puffins and Manx Shearwaters. The Islands consist of the Great and Little Saltee and are situated approximately 5km off the coast of Kilmore Quay in County Wexford. The Great Saltee also has a breeding population of Grey Seals, one of the very few in eastern Ireland. Up to 120 animals are present in autumn and up to 20 pups are produced annually. Since December 1943 the Saltees have been privately owned by the Neale family. The Neale family have always respected this bird sanctuary and treated visiting Ornithologists and bird watchers alike with hospitality. Day visitors are allowed on Great Saltee between 11am and 4:30 pm only. Arranged trips from Kilmore Quay are approved within these hours. Any visitors landing a boat outside of these hours will be asked to leave. The Saltee Islands are both rare and beautiful. All are welcome to see and enjoy. For more information click into – The Saltee Islands
Phoenix Park Deer
Phoenix park is home to a herd of 400-450 fallow deer descend from the original herd introduced in the 1660s. They can be found throughout the park in various locations. Friends of the deer are advised not to feed them any food and only to admire them from afar. For more information click into – Phoenix Park Deer
Dusty The Dolphin
Dusty The Dolphin is another rare bottle nose Dolphin who has taken a particular interest in human companionship over the years. First spotted in Doolin in county Clare, Dusty can be found in various locations across county Clare and as far as the Aran Islands, although she received bad press over the years, most people who swim with regularly said the bad press was actually mostly due to human negligence and people acting in appropriately, since then, Dusty has taken on more solitude. If you are lucky to come across Dusty, we advise you admire her from afar or the shallow waters and allow her to come to you if she pleases. As someone who has been lucky to swim with dusty in the early years, I can attest she is an amazing being who should be respected and loved.
As we said at the beginning of our post, wild life is to be respected and admired from a far, we are also huge believers in ‘Leave No Trace’ and ask that any time you are in nature that you leave everything as was and enjoy everything for what it is.If you would like to download our Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Tour of Ireland for €15.99 click here – Eco Friendly & Sustainable Tour of Ireland
Traveling across Ireland can be done in a very eco-friendly manor. We are very lucky here that many people and business owners are aiming to make the world a better place. Every day more and more companies are doing their part to make great changes, some companies however have set out with eco-friendly ethos in mind from the beginning. Here is a list of 5 of the most eco-friendly places you can explore in while touring Ireland or even if you live in Ireland and you want some adventure, we have made this list by covering somewhere in almost each of the four corners of Ireland.
Cool Planet Experience is located in the Wicklow mountains, the garden of Ireland and we highly recommend that you go here. It is more so aimed at children and young teenagers, but is a fun experience for all ages. It is 45 minutes of interactive fun to learn about global warming, climate change and how to offset your carbon footprint by learning how to be more sustainable and eco-friendly. It is located at Powerscourt House and Gardens in Enniskerry, which is a beautiful estate to walk around and bask in nature.
An area of Ireland that is becoming highly recognised are the Skellig Islands, particularly Skellig Michael. As of recent times you will see them in the Star Wars franchise. Due to the wildness that is the Atlantic ocean, these islands can only be accessed over the summer months and on calm days. There are walking island tours available, but to preserve the beauty, the buildings and the nature, there is a restriction on how many people can go onto these islands every year. The walking tours are from morning to mid-afternoon and cost €100 p/p. The eco boat tours are highly recommended, they pass both islands and give all the history, facts and information on the islands. They know the best places to stop and show you all the attractions on the islands so you don’t miss a thing. These eco boat tours cost €40p/p and last for 2 hours. (Prices may vary)
The Burren Perfumery is one of the Burren’s many amazing secrets. Hidden away in Carran (an area in the Burren), there is a beautiful and enchanting perfumery, with a shop selling all natural and organically made perfumes, toiletries and candles and a delicious café. Using herbs and plants grown on-site for their ingredients in both the perfume and café. The Burren Perfumery is one of the true gems of Irish business to visit, you can walk around the small factory, be taken on a guided tour (free of charge) and explore the gardens were some of the ingredients are grown. Entry for the tours is currently free.
Not too far from the Burren Perfumery is Hazel Chocolate Mountain, a chocolate factory. It might be one of the last things you expect to find in the limestone mountains, but it is a very interesting little corner of the Burren. There is a guided tour on offer for a set fee, but sometimes if you arrive during a non-busy time, you might be able to avail of a quick mini tour for free. Hazel Chocolate Mountain adhere to strict environmental policies; they operate from a green roof building which helps minimize energy consumption, while also increases biodiversity and offers a unique habitat for wildlife. They have no plastic in their shop, all products are wrapped and covered using either recyclable or reusable paper and the staff use cloth gloves rather than plastic while handling the chocolate. They use only sustainable and ethical suppliers for their ingredients. It is a great experience for both adults and children, especially any foodies.
Wild Ireland is an animal sanctuary set up by Killian McLoughlin, that rehabilitates animals and also houses animals once native to Ireland. Amongst the animals are 3 brown bears, European wolves, a lynx (the original Celtic Tiger), an otter and red deer, red deer, red foxes, an owl, an otter and many more. All animals have been rescued from cruel circumstances such as circuses, illegal trade and neglect. Killian worked closely with three international charities to bring the animals to his 23 acre site that they now call home.
These are only a few examples of some lovely eco-friendly places to visit in Ireland. If you would like more examples or you would like help preparing a plan/ itinerary of where you would like to stay and dine in Ireland you can look at our Eco-Friendly Tour of Ireland or have a look at our Perfect Irish Trip Packages. Happy Traveling.
5 of The Best Eco-Friendly Eateries Across Ireland
Traveling across Ireland can be done in a very eco-friendly manor. We are very lucky here that many people and business owners are aiming to make the world a better place. Every day more and more companies are doing their part to make great changes, some companies however have set out with eco-friendly ethos in mind from the beginning. Here is a list of 5 of the most eco-friendly places for you to dine in while touring Ireland or even if you live in Ireland and you want some healthy sustainable food choices, we have made this list by covering somewhere in almost each of the four corners of Ireland.
Located in Rathfarnham, County Dublin, The Carrot’s Tail is not only a place to eat delicious food, but also acts as a ‘Zero Waste Shop’ too. Customers opting for some zero-waste shopping can bring their containers in and fill up on nuts, seeds, flours, grains, beans, herbs and spices as well as purchasing some zero waste essentials and reusable tools. Working from a full vegan menu, the Carrot’s Tail deliver filling, tasty and delightful food keeping all their customers happy.
In the heart of Dingle Town you will find The Fishbox, who serve the freshest of fish from their very own family trawler, very much a sustainable farm to table, or sea to plate method. All seafood, fruit and veg are locally sourced, even the desserts are handmade at home by the mother of the family, Deirdre, each morning, breads are sourced from local bakers and even the beer served is produced in a macro brewery 100m down the road. The Fishbox is not only delicious, but is sustainable and organic and puts huge pride in their ingredients.
Ard Bia at Nimmos is tucked away past the historic Spanish Arch and overlooking the waters of the River Corrib. Ard Bia offers a full days menu, consisting of: Breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner. Serving seasonal and locally sourced food Ard Bia deliver high quality, sustainable and healthy meals to their customers. Taking menu inspiration locally, but also with Mediterranean and Middle East influence, the food leaves customers feeling satisfied and full.
The Gallery in Westport, County Mayo has been paving the way for a more eco-friendly and fairer trade within the food industry in Ireland (and worldwide) since 2014. Being Ireland’s first natural wine bar (each wine is at the very minimum, organically farmed and most are biodynamic), members of the world’s ‘Kiss The Ground Movement’ (a global movement of regenerative farming), was the first coffee shop to ban single use plastics and instead opted to use recycled jam jars for takeaway coffee, works from a ‘palm free menu’ and was the first to ban avocados from their menu (due to the negativities behind the scenes that many do not see involved in the farming process). They are only some of the reasons why The Gallery has made our list. All food and drink is organically and ethically sourced and is always local where possible. The Gallery should be on any eco-friendly food lovers list.
Drumanilra Farm Kitchen is located just outside of Boyle in County Roscommon and offers very much a ‘farm to table’ menu in every aspect of the word. All produce is organic and local (where possible). All fresh meats cooked in the Farm Kitchen are certified organic, Irish and fully traceable back to their organic farm of origin. Most are produced on Drumanilra Organic Farm. With a mission to ‘reconnect people with local, organic, wholesome, sustainable food, rooted in place and assured provenance, grown by Drumanilra Farm and other like-minded producers’ and two new premises being opened over the coming year Drumanilra Farm Kitchen is not be missed.
These are only a few examples of some lovely eco-friendly places to visit in Ireland. If you would like more examples or you would like help preparing a plan/ itinerary of where you would like to stay and dine in Ireland you can look at ourEco-Friendly Tour of Ireland or have a look at our Perfect Irish Trip Packages. Happy Traveling.
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