10 Best Attractions In Ireland

Best Attractions In Ireland

Ireland is a wonderful destination for a holiday. Spend some time on the island traveling between big castles and old cities, green lands and enormous cliffs, learn the country’s long history and culture and hear the mythical stories and legends, all while listening to Irish folk music and drinking local whisky and beer. Before you is a list of the best attractions the Republic of Ireland has to offer. The major attractions in the republic of Ireland are below the Dublin – Galway line, and you can travel more or less in a circle around the island and the best it has to offer. So if your trip starts and ends at Dublin, you can go clockwise till Galway and then from Galway straight back to Dublin, or the other way around – anticlockwise from Dublin to Galway, all the way around till you’re back in Dublin

1. Dublin

Located on the east coast of the island, Dublin is the capital and largest city in Ireland, and the starting point for every tour in the country. The city has something to offer to every visitor, whether they’re art lovers, history buffs, or just looking to enjoy a cold drink. Visit the Dublin Castle, the National Gallery and the National Museum. Stand in line to see the remarkable Book of Kells at Trinity College. Go to St. Patrick’s Cathedral, take a tour at the notorious Kilmainham Gaol prison, checkout the James Joyce tour, and of course – don’t leave behind the Guinness Storehouse tour and the Old Jameson Distillery tour. And at night grab some drinks at the Temple Bar quarter. Click here for a full list of the best attractions in Dublin

Best Attractions In Ireland

Best Attractions In Ireland: Dublin

 

2. Cliffs of Moher 

The Cliffs of Moher are located on the west coast of the island, not far from Galway. The impressive cliffs rise 120 meters (394 ft) above the Atlantic Ocean and reach a maximum height of 214 meters (702 ft). The long distance from the ocean below and the incredible view seen from the cliffs will truly leave you speechless. The Cliffs of Moher are without a doubt one of the most popular attractions in Ireland

Best Attractions In Ireland

Best Attractions In Ireland: The Cliffs of Moher

Best Attractions In Ireland

Best Attractions In Ireland: The Cliffs of Moher

 

3. Ring of Kerry 

The ring of Kerry is a 179 km (111 miles) circular scenic route in south-west of the island. The route circles the Iveragh Peninsula and most visitors usually start and end the route from beautiful Killarney. There are many points of interest along the way, from old castles and churches, to wonderful panoramic view of the coastline. During the summer months many local companies offer a day trip to the Ring of Kerry. These tours usually go counter-clockwise, so if you travel with your own car, it is recommended that you go clockwise to avoid standing in traffic behind countless buses

Best Attractions In Ireland

Best Attractions In Ireland: Ring of Kerry (source: Raúl Corral)

 

4. Killarney National Park 

Killarney is much more that just the main city on the Ring of Kerry. It is also located within the popular Killarney National Park. Big gardens and forests with three lakes are home to a herd of red deer, lots of swans and otters, and many other wildlife. Visitors enjoy spending time in the big park, hike the trails, rent bicycles or a paddle boat in the lake. Practically every tourist that spends some time traveling in Ireland will spend at least one day in Killarney, in the national park, the ring of Kerry, or most probably – both

Best Attractions In Ireland

Best Attractions In Ireland: Killarney National Park

 

5. Galway 

Galway is located on the west coast of the island, straight across from Dublin. It is home to a wonderful medieval quarter with a long history, and is a great representation of the true Ireland and Irish culture. It is one of the largest cities in the country and located with a close proximity to the Cliffs of Moher

Best Attractions In Ireland

Best Attractions In Ireland: Galway

 

6. Kilkenny

Kilkenny is a small city south-west of Dublin. The city is over 400 years old, but the history of the place goes back way before that. The long history of Kilkenny is seen just about everywhere, but the most popular attraction is Kilkenny castle. The castle was built in 1195 by William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke to control a fording-point of the River Nore and the junction of several routes. Today it is a major tourist attraction. Between the old abbeys and cathedrals, Kilkenny is also home to Smithwick’s brewery, which offers a guided tour at the brewery

Best Attractions In Ireland

Best Attractions In Ireland: Kilkenny Castle

 

7. Aran Islands 

This group of 3 small islands is located off the west coast of Ireland, not far from Galway. The islands are Inis Mór Island (Big Island), Inis Meáin Island (Middle island) and Inis Oírr Island (East island), and all three of them combines are home to just 1,200 inhabitants. Those inhabitants speak primarily Irish and maintain a more traditional lifestyle than the Irish people on the main island. A visit to the Aran islands offers a glimpse to the past of Ireland, and the islands are also famous for their geological formation and historical monuments, like the 2,000-year-old fortress located on top of a 90 meters tall (300 ft) cliff in Inis Mór. To reach the islands you can take a ferry from Rossaveal, about an hour drive from Galway, to Kilronan, the main village on Inis Mór. The ferry itself takes around 40 minutes. You can visit the islands and return on the same day, or spend the night and return the next day

Best Attractions In Ireland

Best Attractions In Ireland: Inis Mór island, Aran Islands

Best Attractions In Ireland

Best Attractions In Ireland: Inis Mór island, Aran Islands

 

8. Blarney 

Just 15 minutes drive from Cork is Blarney, home to Blarney Castle and Blarney House. The Blarney Castle is a beautiful castle that dates back to the 15th century, and is most famous for the Blarney Stone. The stone is located at the top of the castles and tourists stand in line to kiss it, while hanging upside-down over the edge. Kissing the stone is said to give you the gift of eloquence. Blarney House is a 19th century remarkably beautiful mansion overlooking a lake. Both the castle and the house are surrounded by green gardens and are well worth a visit

Best Attractions In Ireland

Best Attractions In Ireland: Blarney Castle (source: Shadowgate)

Best Attractions In Ireland

Kissing the Blarney Stone at the top of Blarney Castle (source: Brian Rosner)

Best Attractions In Ireland

Best Attractions In Ireland: Blarney House (source: Carogonmu)

 

9. Cork

Cork is the second most populated city in Ireland, after Dublin. The city is located at the south of the island, on the River Lee, and is home to one of the largest natural harbors in the world. Like Dublin and Galway, Cork has a long and profound history, and there are many old houses, castles and cathedrals in the city to prove it

Best Attractions In Ireland

Best Attractions In Ireland: Cork

 

10. Dingle Peninsula 

The Dingle Peninsula is located at the south-west end of the island, and is proud to be the westernmost point of Ireland and arguably Europe. The green landscape is covered with Bronze Age remains, prehistoric remains and more than 500 traditional stone huts. If archaeology and history is not your thing, you can enjoy the restaurants and nice beaches of the peninsula

Best Attractions In Ireland

Best Attractions In Ireland: Dingle Peninsula (source: Warrenfish)

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