Ireland is a great place to visit if you’re looking for some adventure, history and culture. There are so many places to explore in Ireland that it’s hard to decide where you want to go first. That’s why we’ve come up with a list of some of our favourite spots!
The Cliffs of Moher
The Cliffs of Moher are Ireland’s most popular tourist attraction and are in County Clare. The cliffs tower is 715 feet above the Atlantic Ocean, offering breathtaking views of Ireland’s west coast.
The best time to visit is during spring or fall when you can see the cliffs in all their glory without the crowds that flock there during the summer months. If you’re planning a trip to Ireland in the winter, be sure to bring warm clothes—the weather can get pretty chilly! The best way to enjoy your time here is by taking a guided tour led by an experienced guide who will explain how this stunning natural wonder came into being millions of years ago.
The Rock of Cashel
The Rock of Cashel is in the town of Cashel, in Tipperary. The site is a historical site of enormous importance to Ireland, with many archaeological sites on the grounds (including monastic buildings, ring forts and tombs). The Rock itself stands about 3 stories high, and you can see it from far away due to its distinctive shape. It’s also called “Carraig Phádraig”, meaning “Patrick’s rock”. It was here that St Patrick established his first Episcopal see around AD 450; he may have even been born here!
The castle itself has been used as an abbey since the early 7th century when St Seachnall built a small monastery there after seeing angels singing inside it (he heard them singing “Glory be To God On High”). Nowadays you can visit St Mary’s Cathedral which houses some stunning stained glass windows designed by Harry Clarke in 1916 – they’re well worth seeing! there are other attractions nearby such as the New grange passage tomb, which dates back over 5000 years ago; Clonmacnoise Monastery which was founded by Saint Ciaran c 545 – c 570; Loughcrew Megalithic Graves dating back 4000 years old…
Grafton Street
One of the most famous streets in Dublin, Grafton Street is a pedestrian-only street that’s full of shops and restaurants. It’s also one of the busiest streets in Ireland, so it’s a good place to shop if you’re looking for souvenirs or clothes.
You should definitely check out this area if you’re visiting Ireland because it has everything from department stores to craft shops, so there will be something for everyone!
Blarney Castle
If you’re looking for a place that celebrates Ireland’s long, proud history and culture, Blarney Castle is your spot. Located in County Cork, this castle was built in 1446 as a defensive stronghold by Cormac Laidir McCarthy. The castle has seen many changes over the years but has been restored to its original condition.
Today, Blarney Castle is a popular tourist attraction because of its interesting history and beautiful architecture; however, it is most famous for its Blarney Stone (a stone which is said to give the owner the gift of gab). If you visit this historic landmark with your friends or family members who love history, they will try out the Blarney Stone Experience!
Powerscourt House and Gardens
Powerscourt House and Gardens is a National Trust property located just outside the town of Enniskerry in County Wicklow. It was built around 1740 for William Conolly, Speaker of the Irish House of Commons. The house is Georgian style with a lovely walled garden. The main attraction at Powerscourt is its stunning architecture and wonderful setting on the River Dargle. This site has been popular since it opened to the public in 1838, attracting over 900,000 visitors annually today! If you’re planning on visiting Ireland soon then Powerscourt should definitely be at the top of your list–it’s truly one-of-a-kind!
Dingle Peninsula
The Dingle Peninsula is a must-see spot, and it’s easy to get to. The peninsula is only a few miles away from Killarney, one of Ireland’s most popular tourist destinations. It features amazing scenery like the Blasket islands and Dunquin lighthouse, as well as ancient churches and traditional Irish music sessions. You can also visit the Dingle ecopark for stunning views of the ocean and local wildlife like seals or dolphins!
The Giant’s Causeway
The Giant’s Causeway is an UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most famous sights in Ireland. This main attraction is in County Antrim, and it comprises basalt columns that rise vertically from the sea floor.
The Giant’s Causeway takes about an hour to visit, but if you want to spend longer there, there are plenty of things to do and see while you’re there:
- There are plenty of free activities such as hiking through the area or doing some fishing on one of the private islands near The Giant’s Causeway. You can also take a boat trip through this rocky landscape or even go diving if you have your PADI certification!
- If you’re looking for some non-free activities, there are plenty options available at The Giant’s Causeway including horseback riding tours around Bushmills Distillery where you can learn about whiskey making before enjoying some samples (and probably getting tipsy). Another option is taking a boat tour around Portrush which includes stops at Bushmills Distillery as well as Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge (which has been featured on several TV shows).
Malahide Castle
Malahide Castle is a medieval castle in Malahide, County Dublin, Ireland. The original castle was built by Robert De Stuteville, Lord of Malahide and High Sheriff of Louth in the 14th century. He constructed a tower house on the site of an earlier Gaelic fortification that was similar to many other such towers along the Irish coast.
The castle has been rebuilt several times; most notably during 1538-1541 when it was remodelled into an artillery fortification by Richard Wingfield, 4th Viscount Powerscourt who built a new residence beside it. In 1635 James Butler (Duke of Ormonde) made further improvements including building an outer wall with four corner towers and adding two large windows to each floor at the front façade facing into what is now called Earlsfort Terrace Gardens.
Dublin Zoo
Dublin Zoo is the largest zoo in Ireland and is home to over 1,100 animals. It has a number of attractions including a butterfly house, an aquarium and a series of mini-zoo environments that recreate habitats from around the world. The most famous resident at Dublin Zoo is its giant pandas – Tian Tian (female) and Yang Guang (male). They arrived from China in 2012 as part of an agreement that saw Ireland send two white rhinos to China.
The zoo’s newest attraction opened in September 2017 – the Panda Passage exhibit features new buildings for both pandas along with separate enclosures for other animals such as red pandas, gibbons and flamingos. Members of the Zoological Society of London who recognised that Ireland found the zoo on 28 July 1831 needed to have its own museum dedicated to educating people about animals and conservation issues.
Aran Islands
The Aran Islands are a group of three islands located in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of County Galway. The Aran Islands are a popular tourist destination and a great place to visit while on your Ireland vacation!
The Aran Islands comprise Inishmore, Inisheer and Inishmaan. They are all part of County land to any other part of Ireland or Europe that did not connect Galway. The islands have long been isolated from each other due to rough waters surrounding them making travel difficult for centuries.
Inishmore is the largest island and it’s home to some incredible cultural sites including Dún Aonghasa which was built around 3000 BC as well as several stone circles dating back over 4000 years old. You’ll also find many different types f wildlife throughout these islands including puffins and seals among others so be sure not leave without seeing them as well!
Ireland is a great place to visit.
If you’re thinking about visiting Ireland, you could hardly be mistaken. It’s a great place to visit! There are lots of places to visit in Ireland. This is especially true if you’re traveling with friends, family or your spouse.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many wonderful places to visit in Ireland. If you’re planning a trip to the Emerald Isle soon, we hope this list will help you decide where to go!