4 Reasons Why Ireland Will Win Your Heart and Mental Health

Meggie is standing proudly between two green hills on a paved walkway under a cloudy sky. In the comic speech bubble, she says: ireland grants you a happy heart and mind. Photo taken at Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge along the Causeway Coastal Route in Northern Ireland.

Posted: October 15, 2020

In August 2019, my family and I took a trip to Paris and London.

These world-famous cities wore me out! My obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and other stress-related symptoms worsened. Since we visited during the European tourist season, I was concerned about safety. My biggest fear was pickpockets, which became a new OCD trigger. I was surprised to learn that pickpockets could be found anywhere, even inside paid tourist attractions, such as the Palace of Versailles.

We dedicated the trip’s final week to the island of Ireland. I only decided to include Ireland in the plans because I was recently inspired by the lilting music of the Irish band, the Cranberries, and an educational experience in Phoenix, Arizona’s Irish Cultural Center.

In Phoenix, Arizona, United States's Irish Cultural Center. Meggie is standing underneath a blue umbrella as it's raining. Behind her is a replica traditional Irish stone cottage.

Inspired by these resources, I knew that Ireland’s rich history, natural escapes, and splendid people couldn’t be missed.

Ireland was my godsend of this entire trip! My mental health improved; my OCD had an opportunity to cool down. Safety was no longer a big concern. Meanwhile, joy and freedom filled up my heart. The cities and its people welcomed me with open hearts. Furthermore, I could harmonize with the island’s endless nature escapes.

Ireland was enriching AND unpretentious, at the same time.

Here are four reasons why Ireland will win you over, too:

1. Beautiful Nature

Ireland is a quaint island with frequent rainfall and a cloudy overcast. It’s no wonder that the locals appreciate the precious sunny days.

Even under a dark sky, the island appears lush. Thank the constant rainfall for the vivid greenery of the rolling hills and lowlands. You’ll also find many low-lying rivers.

In Northern Ireland, along the Causeway Coastal Route. Dark green rolling hills. Among the grass is a small shallow river carving through the land. Partly cloudy sky.

The island has gorgeous coastlines, some of which are sharp and rocky. You’ll be awed watching the wild Atlantic Ocean batter the northern and western edges of Ireland.

Blue sunny sky with some clouds. Cliffs of Moher in the distance as I'm riding a boat. A white wave makes a big splash. Choppy rolling waves of the blue Atlantic Ocean. Nearby Doolin along the Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland.

Go ahead and touch everything. Harmonize with Ireland’s nature.

Meggie's hand is touching the green grass of Ireland. Specifically at the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge along the Causeway Coastal Route in Northern Ireland.

While you’re at it, take in the fresh air, which feels like welcoming in a cool glass of water.

Human activity doesn’t impede Ireland’s natural beauty because it is either nonexistent or kept at reasonable levels. I like having these intimate connections to nature, hence my improved mental health!

Ireland’s nature astonished and calmed me. I absorbed the vitality of the green land and the rocky cliffs meeting with the sea.

As a result, Ireland’s natural escapes healed my mind and welcomed my heart. Any distractions, mental or physical, had faded away. My presence in nature fell into place like a dream.

2. It’s Safe

One of the first questions I asked a local taxi driver after touching down in Ireland: “Is pickpocking a problem in Ireland?”

The gentleman replied: “Nah, you don’t have to worry about it. Rare occurrence.” What a relief!!

I just came from Paris, where pickpockets reign in touristy areas. I had to be vigilant in London, too. My worst OCD symptom in these two cities was about pickpockets.

Of course, losing a passport, money, or phone would be a time-wasting and terrible ordeal. But OCD heightens that fear.

My OCD forced me to repeatedly check for my closed backpack pockets with zippers bound to paperclips. Even if they were closed and zipped up, my OCD wasn’t convinced. I let myself check up to three times only. Otherwise, I would be stuck in that endless loop.

Trotting around the island of Ireland, I felt safer since pickpockets weren’t a major concern. I was free to wander the city streets with one less OCD thought tied down to my mind. Closed backpack pockets, bound zippers, and sneaky pickpockets were no longer at the forefront of my attention.

What about the general sense of safety in the city streets? I have good news: I never detected any hint of danger. Whether I’m in busy Dublin, lowkey Limerick, touristy Galway, or even the politically-complex Belfast, walking around felt safe and easy on my mind.

3. The Small-Town Charm

Quaint towns scatter the island’s coastline and inland.

Much of the charm is found when you interact with local Irish people. Numerous towns remain unexplored by large tourist numbers, anyway. That’s why it’s so easy to find a local as you explore around town. Of all the cities I visited, Limerick is the best for this because most travelers overlook it.

In Limerick, Ireland. A bridge with a road and sideway. A few local people are walking around. Behind the bridge are red, brown, white buildings. A dark cloudy sky.

Even the Irish cities with larger populations, such as Belfast and Limerick, retain the ways of the small town. It is easy to find small and humble streets in the city center.

Plus, you can slide off the beaten path without much effort, even in the large urban cities. For example, in Dublin, a few lanes away from a bustling area, I stumbled upon a quiet alley lined with heavy graffiti. It was tucked behind some small businesses. Who would’ve thought?

Meggie stands alone on a little alley with lots of colorful graffiti on the walls in Dublin, Ireland. A sunny partly cloudy blue sky.

“Where the Streets Have No Name” – a classic 1980s song by U2, a band from Dublin. Now, I know what they’re talking about!

4. The Local People

The locals call themselves “lads,” which refers to a group of BOTH boys and girls. From now on, I’ll use this moniker for cultural authenticity.

The lads of the Emerald Isle treated me and my group with the utmost respect and hospitality. They shine through their sincerity and talkative demeanor. So, don’t be surprised if a conversation stretches!

They love to have fun and hearty times, known locally as “craic” (pronounced “crack”). As you’ll soon learn, it’s no wonder that they have their own word for it…

At a restaurant in Belfast, a large family threw a birthday party. Their loud jubilant chatter pierced through the air. Their laughter and smiles never took a break.

Their energy is super infectious. When they sang “Happy Birthday,” my family and I sang along; it only felt right! They soon noticed and let us in with the singing. They adored the extra joy from strangers.

The craic is overflowing! Hooray!

Countless times, they will go out of their way to help you. They exceeded my expectations.

A notable instance occurred in the small town of Limerick. In the heart of the city center, I was slightly disoriented as I had trouble finding a bus stop.

Apparently, this fellow on the opposite side of the street noticed, even while running an errand. I must have stood out as a confused Asian with an American accent wearing a blue New Balance jacket!

He suddenly offered help by YELLING across the street, out of kindness. And so began the loud conversation playing from one side of the street to the other. After I yelled the bus stop name, he yelled back all the directions.

No shame in yelling. No shame in a super public conversation for help. I adored every bit of this exchange.

When in Ireland, hailing a taxi is another chance to engage in a lovely (and likely lengthy!) conversation.

A dark gray SUV as a taxi cab. Parked in a small alley. White and gray apartment buildings along the alley. Behind is the blue sunny partly cloudy skyline with the iconic yellow Samson and Goliath shipbuilding gantry cranes in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

For the most part, you can easily strike up a chat with drivers. They adore talking, whether it be about their home, themselves, or whatnot. I usually stepped out of a taxi with local tidbits of information!

They’ll listen to your statements actively, not passively. For as long as the ride lasts, it feels like nobody is a stranger, even though we all hail from different lands.

For the socially-awkward among us, I’m happy to say that the Irish lads’ lovely demeanor makes it easy to start a conversation, whether you need help or just want to chat. This alone improves mental health as we humans are naturally social beings.

***

After the hustle-bustle of Paris and London, Ireland cooled down my overheated mind and OCD. Triggers came far and few between.

Ireland’s people and places encouraged me to unleash my most fun and carefree self. Whatever the hell yearned me in the craic of the moment, I followed. Hey, I could sing my heart out at a stranger family’s birthday party if I wanted to!

Thank you, dear Ireland, for filling my heart with splendor and my mind with peace. Those are the true treasures at the end of the rainbow.

Green grass next to a lake with mountains in the background. Partly cloudy. A large rainbow spans over the water. Along the Wild Atlantic Way between Galway and Doolin, Ireland.

So, if you want to try international traveling, dip your toes in Ireland before taking the plunge. The island’s charming and easy-going demeanor will win your heart and mental health.

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