What nobody tells you about visiting Ireland

After a lot of research I thought I knew what to expect from Ireland. Some things matched: Cliffs of Moher is as spectacular as every review says, and Dingle has a genuine energy I'd read about. The Irish stew obsession is completely justified.

What I wasn't prepared for: ancient mythology and culture. That element genuinely surprised me and added something I hadn't seen in any review. Also: Dublin is surprisingly expensive. That part the reviews undersell. Overall a wonderful trip — just a more layered experience than I anticipated.