The best places to visit in Ireland: from stone forts, ancient tombs and ancient castles to the site of the Titanic and Guinness beer
In Ireland, you'll have no shortage of places to visit. It's a land of unparalleled natural beauty, from rugged coastlines and mystical forests to green hills and serene lakes. It is also a treasure trove filled to the brim with natural and historical attractions. Added to this is the hospitality of the inhabitants, delicious cuisine and exciting entertainment.
Narrowing down Ireland's attractions to just a few is a daunting task, but instead we'll offer you some recommended places to visit to give you an overall impression of the country. Perhaps these are the ones that will tempt you to make another trip.
Boyne Valley
The Boyne Valley contains some of the most famous and historically significant sites in Ireland. The complex of forty burial mounds at Bru na Boyne in Co Meath is a World Heritage Site. The 37 small mounds are surrounded by three huge tombs - Dowth, Nauth and Newgrange. They belong to a type of so-called corridor tombs: a long narrow corridor created from massive blocks of stone leads to the burial chamber beneath the mound. The age of these monoliths is about 5 thousand years, that is, they are older than the Egyptian pyramids in Gaza by about 5 centuries and about a thousand years older than the famous Stonehenge.
Newgrange is an iconic structure in Ireland and the most famous prehistoric monument in the country. A 19-meter long corridor of stone monoliths weighing 20-40 tons leads to the burial chamber. Newgrange looks most spectacular on December 21, the day of the winter solstice. The tunnel is oriented to the southeast, the exact place of sunrise on that day, and through a special box above the entrance - a window 20 cm wide - a narrow beam of sunlight penetrates into the tomb and brightly illuminates it for about 17 minutes. People who have witnessed this action call it an unforgettable experience.
The history and reason for the creation of Newgrange is unknown to anyone. The tomb was discovered in 1699 by workers when they needed crushed stone to build a road. They saw the entrance but left it untouched, thinking they had found an ordinary cave. It wasn't until 1962 that a full-scale archaeological excavation began here, revealing its true significance to the world. Today, Newgrange, Dowth and Nauth are on the list of must-see sites in Ireland. There is a visitor center on site from where tours start.
Co Meath is also home to Hill of Tara, an elevated hill that is home to ancient monuments such as the Stone of Destiny, the Hostage Mound and the Fort of Kings. The hill is considered the ancient capital of Ireland, the coronation site and residence of the High Kings.
Not far from the hill is the site of the Battle of the Boyne in 1690, the largest battle in Irish history and decisive in the War of the Two Kings.
Ring of Kerry
Travelers who love scenic drives should head to the southwest of Ireland. The Ring of Kerry is a circular route on the Ivera Peninsula that is 111 miles long. If you don't know what exactly to visit in Ireland, but want to make an image of it for yourself, go along this famous route: on the way you will meet romantic castles, delightful gardens, ancient monuments, colorful towns and villages. Here, visions of the country's natural beauty become reality: stunning landscapes give way to rugged coastlines, and every new turn reveals a new attraction - picturesque lakes, dramatic cliffs, green hills and pristine beaches. Travelers who arrive in County Kerry experience a true immersion into the philosophy, lifestyle and spirit of Ireland.
Everywhere in the local place names, archaeological sites and landmarks you will find evidence of the region's unique culture and historical heritage. The Ring of Kerry has at various times in its history been home to ancient monastic settlements and forts established during the Middle Ages. This itinerary will reveal the 6th century stone beehive huts and the ruins of an ancient monastery on Skellig Michael Island, both of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Make plans to visit the stone forts at Castlereagh and Cahersiveen, the ruins of medieval Ballycarberry Castle, the impressive architecture of O'Connell Memorial Church, Derrynane House National Monument and the surrounding National Historic Park.
This region will also surprise travelers with its vibrant Gaelic culture. When pondering where to visit in Ireland to experience the cultural flavor, check out the villages along the way: traditional dances, music, and stories still thrive here. The Ring of Kerry will take you through charming towns such as Kenmare, Killarney and Caersaivin, each showcasing a unique perspective on life as well as indulging in culinary delights. For example, the beautiful 19th century town of Kenmare has a number of very well-known and respected gourmet restaurants, and the town itself is considered the only one in Ireland where the number of restaurants outnumbers the number of pubs.
Ring of Kerry is popular for travelers interested in various forms of art. The area is home to many galleries and workshops, such as Cill Rialaig. It is also sought after by outdoor enthusiasts, to whom it offers excellent walking and cycling trails, extreme sports, fishing, diving and superb championship golf courses - Dooks, Kenmare, Waterville and Killorglin.
Cliffs of Moher
One of Ireland's most spectacular natural attractions is a rocky part of the west coast in County Clare. This area, dubbed the Cliffs of Moher, is famous for its breathtaking views of the Aran Islands, the Maum Turk Mountains and Galway Bay. The landscape and scenery of the Cliffs of Moher attract around one million tourists each year, and in 2016 they were voted the most popular attraction in the country.
The cliffs stretch for about 5 miles along the rushing coastline and reach 700 feet in height. The scale of the cliffs and the vertical drop into the waters of the Atlantic Ocean churning below create an impressive sight. Visitors can enjoy the disarming scenery as they stroll along the mossy paths and watch the birds that nest on the rocky ledges. The tourist demand for this place in no way spoils the experience, and you can easily forget yourself while experiencing the majesty of these cliffs and the surrounding nature.
Follow the trails to the top, where another iconic landmark of Ireland, O'Brien's Tower, rises. The round stone structure was created by Ser Cornelius O'Brien, a descendant of Ireland's High King Briana Boru, in 1835 as a lookout tower for travelers who had already taken a liking to the site.
The Cliffs of Moher have been named one of the candidates for inclusion in the list of the new Seven Wonders of the World, and have also appeared in many movies, particularly in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince: Harry Potter and Professor Dumbledore arrive here to retrieve the Horcrux Medallion from the cave.
Giant's Causeway
Another of Ireland's top attractions is located near the town of Bushmills, County Antrim. It is a coastal area dotted with about 40,000 unique hexagonal basalt columns. For centuries, this fascinating creation of nature has intrigued visitors, and today it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Local folklore can tell you about the creation of this natural wonder. According to legend, the Giant's Causeway was created by the legendary giant Finn McCool, who lived here. One day he challenged the giant Benandonner, who lived on the other side of the sea, to a fight. But since no boat could support the giant's weight, Finn built a causeway of huge stones on the water so that Benandonner could reach him. The ending of this legend is rather ironic: the giant invited to the battle turned out to be much larger than Finn would have guessed, so he fled the battlefield into the hills. There his wife disguised him as a baby, and Benandonner was frightened when he saw this "baby", thinking that the father of such a "baby" must be even more enormous than he was. So Benandonner fled back to his home in Scotland, remembering to break the causeway behind him so that his rival would not suddenly catch up with him.
In fact, the cause of the Road of Giants is a volcanic eruption that occurred about 60 million years ago. The molten basalt lava reaching the sea quickly cooled and solidified, and the characteristic hexagonal shape was formed by a natural process called columnar jointing. But agree that the funny story of two giants looks much more interesting.
Aran Islands
A trip to County Galway is sure to take you to the Aran Islands: it is one of the key places to visit in Ireland, listed in every local guidebook. Aran is the collective name for a group of three islands: Inis Oirr (Inishire), Inis Mor (Inishmore) and Inis Meain (Inishmaan). When you arrive here, you will get the feeling that rural life here has not changed for centuries, and in some aspects, such as cultural, it has. Yes, today there is electricity and modern conveniences, but the traditions of the past are carefully preserved, and many residents make a living from the same crafts as generations of their ancestors.
Inis Mor Island is the largest of the three. To explore it on your own, it's worth hiring a bicycle. Here you can watch seals at the observation deck, walk along the beach, visit the prehistoric stone fort of Dun Aonghasa, and see the Serpent's Lair, a natural, mysterious hole in the limestone that connects to the sea. Along the way, stop for a pint of beer at the best pubs and don't miss the miniature leprechaun lodges.
On the smallest island, Inis Oirr, you can also rent a bicycle or you can hire a horse and cart. Here you'll find beautiful beaches, impressive historic sites such as the Bronze Age burial ground of Knock Wrightney, St. Caomhane's Church, and O'Brien's Castle. See the iconic Plassey shipwrecked in the 1960s and the Inis Oirr lighthouse on the south end of the island, created in the early 19th century. And don't miss pubs with great views, such as the Tigh Ned.
Inis Meain can be explored on foot via the Lub Dun Ferbhay route. In 4-5 hours, you'll visit the most interesting sights: the observation deck on the edge of the cliff at Synge's Chair, the ruins of Ferbhay Fort and Cill Cheannanach Church, among others. Also on your itinerary is the 300-year-old Teach Synge Cottage, where playwright John Millington Synge lived periodically. It now houses a museum dedicated to his life and work.
Guinness Storehouse
The best places to visit in Ireland can not do without a pint of foamy drink. Every self-respecting tourist in Dublin should visit the Guinness beer warehouse. Here you can learn the details of the production of the famous Guinness beer and its history, which led it to the status of one of the most famous drinks in the world and brought it to the forefront of Irish exports.
The building of the store is also remarkable: its base looks in the shape of a huge seven-story pint glass. After the tour, you'll definitely want to try the drink, for which you'll head to the top floor where the fun Gravity Bar is located. Aside from a free pint of beer, you'll also get access to a breathtaking view of Dublin.
Trinity College Dublin
Ireland's most prestigious college should be part of the itinerary for travelers looking for architecturally interesting places. Many of its magnificent buildings are several hundred years old. Its status as the best university in the country may be challenged by some parts of University College Dublin, but architecturally it has no equal.
The college was founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I of England. It is here that the Book of Kells, an illuminated manuscript created around 800 by Celtic monks, containing the 4 Gospels in Latin, is kept. Travelers should visit the old college library, especially its Long Room, which is said to be a prototype for the Jedi Archives room in one of the films of the Star Wars movie saga.
Join a tour to explore the college, as almost every building has an interesting story to tell. The best time to visit the college is at the end of May after exams are over. That's when the stress of studying disappears and the whole college comes alive and fun. You can join in the most popular student activities, like sitting in the Pavilion Bar, having a beer and watching a game of cricket.
Burren
Popular places to visit in Ireland include many natural attractions. One of these is a huge mass of rock formed from limestone karst slabs, stretching across Co Galway and Co Clare. This unique landscape is primarily attractive to geologists and botanists. The Burren boasts a diverse flora of 635 species of Mediterranean and alpine plants. Twenty-two of Ireland's 27 species of orchids germinate here.
The region is also home to some rare animal species, such as the lesser horseshoe bat and the predatory pine marten, and over a hundred species of nesting birds. The richness of the flora and fauna is due to a combination of cultural and natural factors, such as the use of traditional farming methods. Much of the Burren is a special protected area.
St. Patrick's Cathedral
One of the places to visit in Dublin is the largest church in Ireland. It is believed that near the cathedral in a well, St. Patrick baptized people who were converted to Christianity. A wooden church was built to commemorate the event, and in 1191, the current cathedral building was erected.
The cathedral has also been the setting for some interesting events. Handel's Messiah was first performed here in 1742, and the writer Jonathan Swift, author of Gulliver's Travels, was its rector from 1713-1745 and is buried here. The presence of a great historical heritage did not turn the cathedral into a museum. On the contrary, services are still held here with regularity.
Croke Park
Hard to believe, but this huge stadium, the fourth largest in Europe with a capacity of about 80,000 people, is designed primarily for amateur sports. It is the headquarters of Ireland's national games organization, the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA). Hurlers and soccer players, as well as fans of these sports, consider Croke Park something of a spiritual home. You can visit the stadium on a guided tour and check out the GAA museum. But if you want to feel the excitement of Irish fans, you should try to get to any sports match at the stadium. Tickets are best purchased in May, which is the start of the season.
Titanic Belfast
One of the places important to Irish history that would be interesting for tourists to visit is the Titanic Belfast Center, created to commemorate the centenary of the Titanic's tragic maiden voyage in 1912. It is located on the site of the Harland & Wolff shipyard where the huge liner was built.
Titanic Belfast tells the story of the ship's creation, its collision with an iceberg and the wreck afterwards. Here you can learn about the people who designed and built the ship, the circumstances of its launching, sinking and the aftermath of the disaster, as well as the various myths and legends that still surround the Titanic today.