Five fine reasons to hop a flight to Ireland 

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This article originally ran on Examiner.com, March 11, 2016. It has been lightly edited.
Don't wait for St. Patty's Day to hop your flight to The Emerald Isle. Do it now! Whether you are young, old, single or married; if you love nature and castles and pubs, do it. For Ireland is the greenest, purest, rarest of finds -- a verdant gem across the Atlantic replete with friendly codgers, centuries-old castles, darn fine bagpipes, some wicked stout, and a vibe as intoxicating as your first kiss.
So here are just a few of the reasons you should skip that party downtown and head to the airport pronto.
MARRIAGE EQUALITY
As of May, 2015 it is legal to marry someone of the same sex in Ireland. In December of that year, numerous same-sex couples married en masse in Dublin. This is remarkable considering the country's strong Catholic demographic. Moreover, Ireland was the first country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage. Three cheers for equality!
SINGERS ABOUND
Adele performed in Dublin in early March, 2016. And every September, for Arthur's Day, bands and singers countrywide shine in the pubs and small venues, extending all the way to the UK now. Music is to Ireland what sunshine is to California.
CASTLES, CASTLES, AND MORE CASTLES
While you may not run into any "Game of Thrones" characters, you can create your own drama in one of the thousands of ancient castles or ruins that dot the island. Head to Tarbert in Western Ireland and stay in an actual castle, and swing by Bunratty Castle as you leave Shannon.
A WOMAN'S IN CHARGE
Arlene Foster was voted in as the first female Leader of the Democratic Unionist Party in December 2015 and the first female Minister of Northern Ireland the following January. Let's hear it for Ireland!
GUINNESS
Ireland is where this reporter learned the joys of dark, dry stout. Nothing quite connects the witty and wise Irish native with the intrepid tourist as a pint in the pub.
Photos: Top to bottom: 1. The film "Once" filmed in Ireland - by https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11064536; 2. Arlene Foster, Leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, by Richter Frank-Jurgen - https://www.flickr.com/photos/horasis/9163523833, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=37930493; 3. Marriage Equality demonstration in August, 2009, prior to historic legalization of same-sex marriage in May, 2015. Ireland was the first country to legalize same-sex marriage. By Kaihsu Tai - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7544566; 4. An Irish meal with Guinness outside Glin, Ireland, by Laurie Wiegler; 5. Pastoral scene, Glin, Ireland, by Laurie Wiegler; 6. Castle in Glin, Ireland, by Laurie Wiegler
Contact me at www.lauriewiegler.com or email me at lauriewiegler@gmail.com.

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