Top 10 Tourist Attractions in Ireland
Cliffs of Moher
Standing at 214 meters over the depths of the Atlantic Ocean, and stretching for an amazing 8 km, are the rugged Cliffs of Moher in County Clare. Visitors are drawn to the cliffs, not just for their sheer impressive size, but also for the views of the breathtaking landscape.
Glendalough Monastic Site
Inside the grounds of the Wicklow Mountains National Park lies the eerie remains of a veritable monastic city which dates back to the 6th century. Explore what lies among the old stones and discover crumbling churches, mysterious relics and the particularly well-preserved Round Tower.
Killarney National Park
Scenic Killarney National Park has to be on your Ireland itinerary. The park home to a captivating landscape that makes up a Biosphere Reserve. With its three magnificent lakes and Ireland’s biggest expanse of indigenous forest, the beautiful scenery of Killarney National park is captivating. The best way to experience Killarney is to take a drive along the 11 kilometre road, through the Gap of Dunloe and across a landscape sculpted by glaciers.
Dingle Bay
Marking the westernmost point of the Irish mainland is the picturesque Dingle Bay. Surrounded by a wide expanse of nature, the bay makes up part of the 2,500km long Wild Atlantic Way: a scenic route that stretches along the length of Ireland’s west coast.
Newgrange
The unimaginably old stone structure of Newgrange tomb was built in 3200 BC. The domed Megalithic Passage Tomb is estimated to have taken 300 people 20 years to build and covers an area of over one acre, revealing interior stones decorated with the spirals and curves of Neolithic rock art.
Guinness Storehouse
Set in the heart of Dublin is the iconic Guinness Storehouse. The brewery has been making Guiness here since 1769 when Arthur Guinness signed a lease for 9,000 years. Nowadays the home of Guinness is a modern visitor attraction, where fans can learn about the process of making the famous black stuff, understand the history behind it and, of course, sample it.
Blarney Castle
Stick your head over the parapet at the historic Blarney Castle and kiss the famous Blarney Stone as millions have done before you. It’s said that people who manage to kiss the mysterious Blarney Stone are endowed with ‘the gift of the gab’.
Trinity College
The oldest university in Ireland is Trinity College, Dublin, founded by Queen Elizabeth I in 1592. Trinity college has educated some of Ireland’s most influential people including the first Irish president Theobald Wolfe Tone, along with iconic literary figures Oscar Wilde and Samuel Beckett.
Kinsale
The medieval fishing port of Kinsale is packed full of hidden historical gems. The colourful coastal village’s old winding lanes are dotted with various art galleries, local shops, hearty pubs and excellent restaurants – so excellent, in fact, that the town even hosts its own annual Gourmet Festival.
Skellig Michael
The rocky island rises out of the Atlantic just off of the Iveragh Peninsula and was frequented by ascetic monks, who chose the towering sea crag as a place to live and worship somewhere between the 6th and 8th centuries.
Top 5 Hikes In Ireland
Glencoaghan Horseshoe Loop Walk, County Galway
Glencoaghan Twelve Bens is definitely among the hardest and best hikes in Ireland, with magnificent views spreading over the valleys and dramatic rocky mountains.
Carrantoohill, County Kerry
Carrauntoohil is a great trekking destination in Ireland. Hiking Carrauntoohil via Devil’s Ladder is a challenging but spectacular adventure – mountains of Kerry are one of the most dramatic and scenic of the country.
Howth Cliff Walk, County Dublin
Howth cliff walk is definitely one of the most stunning hiking trails in Ireland. You can choose from different routes, and the longest loop is around 10 km with incredible wildlife to watch on the way.
Slieve League, County Donegal
Slieve League are located on the west coast of the island in County Donegal and are the highest cliffs in Ireland. That places them as one of the top best hikes in Ireland with spectacular dramatic cliff landscape.
Lugnaquilla, County Wicklow
Lugnaquilla is the highest peak of Wicklow Mountains (925 metres) and it can be hiked all year-around. It is definitely one of the most rewarding hiking trails in Ireland.
