A sunburn in Ireland? David Petlin returned from a six-night journey through the north with fresh perspective on a destination most travelers think they know.
I'll admit it: before this trip, I had never sold Belfast as a destination. Not once. Like so many travelers (and advisors), I'd always focused on Ireland's famous southern route. Dublin to Cork, Kerry, Dingle, finishing in Shannon. That's what everyone does. But Tourism Ireland and Moloney & Kelly wanted us to see something different, and I'm genuinely grateful they did.
This was a fam trip in April 2025, six nights moving through Northern Ireland with a group of agents, our escorts Colin and Siobhan guiding us along the way. We landed in Dublin and went straight to Belfast for two nights (the only place we stayed more than one night), then across the top of the country, down through Galway, and eventually to the K Club outside Dublin before finishing at the Fitzwilliam. It was fast-paced, but every moment felt intentional.
The Food That Changed My Mind
I know I talk about food a lot when I share my travel experiences, but I can't help it here. Ireland has this reputation for being all meat and potatoes, corned beef and cabbage. Let me tell you, that's simply not the Ireland I experienced. The food was fresh, farm to table, locally sourced. The bread products were exceptional. The butter was amazing. Every cut of meat showed real care and craft. We did a baking class at the bake shop in Northern Ireland where we made Guinness bread and steak scones with our own hands. Those are the kind of memories you bring home, skills you can actually recreate in your own kitchen.
I now talk about Ireland as a true foodie destination when I'm helping clients plan. Fine dining at Michelin inspired restaurants, local pubs with character, food tours that show you the range of what Irish cuisine has become. It's something clients are always surprised by, and I love being the one to open that door for them.
Sunshine, Sunburn, and Giants Causeway
Here's something that really surprised me: the weather. Everyone told us to pack for cold and rain. I actually got sunburnt the first day. When we were at Giants Causeway, it was a gorgeous sunny day. We had almost planned a picnic there, but it turned out to be too hot to sit outside. I still laugh when I tell people I went to Ireland and came back with a sunburn. There are microclimates everywhere, and the weather can genuinely surprise you.
The Titanic Belfast Museum was an amazing start to our time in the city. So many people go to Ireland thinking only of castles and the Blarney stone, but they're not thinking of Titanic for some reason. The way that museum displays the history, how the ship was built right there in Belfast, how it affected the city, it was one of the really cool parts of our trip. Now when clients book Ireland with me, I try to figure out a way to get them to Belfast to experience it.
Who This Is For
Ireland truly is a destination for almost anyone. Honeymooners, families, friends traveling together, even solo travelers. You can do a self drive if you're brave enough for the left side of the road, or have a driver guide take you through at your own pace. Group tours work beautifully for those who want a set itinerary with 12 to 40 fellow travelers. I think retired seniors would really love it. Anyone with Irish roots wanting to explore their heritage would find it especially meaningful. English is spoken everywhere, so there's no culture shock like you might experience in France or Rome.
Belfast itself was an incredibly beautiful city, very up and coming with great luxury hotels. I know some people still associate it with the troubles, but we were out walking at night feeling completely safe. It's transformed into something special, and I truly felt that firsthand.
My biggest takeaway? Slow down. We moved through five destinations in six nights, and while it was incredible for research, I now encourage my clients to do it differently. Ten nights minimum, three or four destinations max. Let them really sink into each place rather than rushing to see everything. And absolutely, don't skip the northern route. Giants Causeway is too amazing to miss, and you can still get to the Cliffs of Moher if you finish in Galway. I can't wait to help more clients discover this side of Ireland, the one I almost missed myself.
