Air Canada loves Ireland.

Canada’s largest carrier in the past few days has added two new flights from major Canadian cities to Ireland. Their Montreal-Dublin service will be operated until Oct. 12, 2018 using the Boeing 737 MAX 8, featuring a Premium Economy and Economy cabin set-up. They also have launched direct flights between Toronto and Shannon, Ireland, also until October of this year.

The flights will no doubt be popular with Canadians who want to explore Ireland, but boost tourism in Canada for the summer months.

Air Canada already flies directly to Dublin from both Toronto and Vancouver.

"Capitalizing on the growing traffic between Canada and Ireland, we are pleased to inaugurate Montreal-Dublin flights," said Benjamin Smith, President Passenger Airlines at Air Canada. "Air Canada will offer the best market coverage of any carrier between Canada and Ireland with service between three Canadian hubs and two Irish destinations. This includes new Toronto-Shannon flights, up to daily non-stop Toronto-Dublin service, as well as seasonal non-stop Vancouver-Dublin service."
Here's one Ireland lovers' look at great things to see and do in the country.

DUBLIN

This is one of the great cities of the world; a place that’s littered with historic sites and wonderful attractions. The pubs in the lively Temple Bar district are the ideal spots for a pint of the dark stuff and brilliant Irish music. Trinity College makes for a lovely, quiet respite after a night on the town. Book lovers also will find plenty of literary markers in a city that’s often featured in works by the likes of James Joyce. If you’re more into music, The Clarence Hotel is a lovely spot that’s partly owned by a couple members of the Irish rock band U2. A visit to the Guinness Storehouse and roof-top pub is a must.

WESTERN CITIES AND SIGHTS

Shannon is a gateway to Ireland’s fabled west coast in County Clare. The town of Limerick is just a few km’s away, and both the famous Ring of Kerry drive and Killarney National Park are just south of Shannon. Star Wars fans have been making a bee-line of late to Skellig Michael, a jagged patch of rock in the Atlantic Ocean southwest of Shannon. The island, home to atmospheric ruins built by Irish monks centuries ago, is home to the legendary Luke Skywalker in the last couple of Star Wars movies. Just a few km’s north of Shannon is the university town of Galway, which features a walkable downtown and more great pubs, including The Kings’ Head. The G Hotel is a super-stylish place to rest your head, and there’s excellent food, too.

STUNNING SEA CLIFFS

The Cliffs of Moher are a justifiably famous spot a short drive north of Shannon; towering black/grey cliffs that rise far above the Atlantic Ocean. Busloads of tourists arrive every day to snap photos of the steep cliffs. The small town of Doolin is right around the corner; a tiny village that looks like a movie set from Lord of the Rings or The Hobbit and features great pubs and a ton of atmosphere. A boat ride along the base of the cliffs is a great way to explore the scenery from a different perspective. Much as I enjoyed seeing Moher, I think I enjoyed the cliffs at Slieve League even more. Not only are the Slieve League cliffs higher than those at Moher, they’re also nearly deserted much of the time, which will allow you or your clients to enjoy them in peace. Slieve League is in County Donegal in the far northwest of Ireland. Lough Eske is a beautiful hotel on a lake near the town of Donegal.

N

ORTHERN IRELAND WONDERS

The Giant’s Causeway is one of those crazy geologic wonders that makes us ponder how the world can possibly work the way it does; wildly geometric slabs of upright basalt columns that stick up out of the ground near the Atlantic Ocean. The result of volcanic eruptions millions of years ago, they’re a delight for kids of all ages as well as for science buffs who can try to explain such things to average folks like you and me. The famous Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge is not far away; a 20-meter long bridge that’s suspended over foaming waves and sharp rocks some 30 meters above the water. The drive along the coast of Northern Ireland is a joy, with beautiful beaches and lonely, crumbling castles at seemingly every turn. Royal Portrush is a magical golf course on the coast with a great pub.

BELFAST

This is a truly wonderful city, with a wide array of glorious, old buildings with that kind of solid, sturdy architecture we don’t often see anymore. Wander the streets of the Cathedral Quarter or check out the colourful murals and the city’s somewhat troubled history with a Black Taxi Tour. Be sure to check out the history of the ill-fated Titanic (built here) at the Titanic Visitors Centre. One of my favourite pubs in town is the Crown Liquor Saloon, with its ornate, Victorian design and cozy “snugs.” I also love The Spaniard, a much newer but very enjoyable place to hang out and have a drink. The Merchant Hotel features one of the most beautiful dining rooms in Europe and has lovely rooms, as well.