Ireland also known as the Emerald Isle has been bestowed with numerous gifts from nature. It is a tourist paradise. The beautiful coastline compliments the artistically built cities of Ireland. The country has also produced numerous saints and scholars. In fact, Dublin was designated as the UNESCO city of literature back in 2010.
When you are planning your visit to Ireland, there are quite a few places to visit in Ireland. We will today share with you not just the popular destinations but the attractions in Ireland which you should definitely not miss.
1. Causeway Coast:
Causeway Coast has gained fame worldwide due to the Game of Thrones series. The Causeway Coast has been featured in the series numerous times and some of the Irish travel agencies have specialised Game of Thrones tours. There are many other locations across Northern Ireland which have been featured as well. Along the coast, there are quite a few places worth visiting like:
- Mussenden Temple
- Dunluce Castle
- Dark Hedges
- Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
- Rathlin Island
The view of the sea from any of these tourist attractions is pretty scenic which is what attracts many tourists to the coastline. All of these attractions are located close to each other on the coastline which makes it easier for you to cover them in less time. The Causeway coastline has become famous due to its numerous attractions which dot the coast. When in Ireland, visiting this single coastline will help you cover a lot of attractions.
2. Ring of Beara, Cork:
The Ring of Beara is comparatively lesser known than its counterpart Ring of Kerry. Ring of Beara is located just North of it. The mesmerizing trail begins from Kenmare. After soaking in the panoramic views along the way, you can stop at Glengarriff. Around Glengarriff, you can explore the tourist attractions like:
- Garnish Island
- Pooleen Wood
- Priest’s Leap
In and Around Glengarriff you might also come across wildlife. If you want to make a quick stop before reaching the southern tip of the peninsula, you can stop in Castletownbere. The McCarthy Bar in this town has been made famous by a book of the same name. You can conclude your journey on the south-western tip of the peninsula by reaching the Dursey Island through the cable car. All along the way, you will be amazed and mesmerized by the natural beauty of the coast.
3. Roundstone, Galway:
Roundstone is one of the oldest villages in Ireland. It was founded in the 1820s. It is located in County Galway. This quiet little village has a few tourist attractions which you can explore. These include:
- Inishnee Island
- Dog’s Bay Beach
- Errisbeg Mountain
The sleepy little village is also famous for its Connemara Pottery. With its pristine beaches, it is the perfect place to for your sojourn. When you stop by, in the village, do check out some of the popular restaurants like O’Dowd’s Seafood Bar. The best thing about restaurants in this village is that they serve some of the freshest seafood delicacies which you will ever have. When you combine all of this with the scenic beauty of Roundstone, it will be clear that this attraction should be on your list of must-visit Irish places.
4. The Cliffs of Moher:
These Cliffs have become the face of Ireland in many tourists’ books and guides. The beautiful and rugged cliffs are awe-inspiring, to say the least. Over the years numerous adjectives have been used to describe them ranging from Vertigo-inducing to spell-bounding. The truth is, most of the images do not do justice to the actual beauty of these cliffs.
The Cliffs of Moher are the most visited natural tourist attraction in entire Ireland. It is a title well-deserved. They stand like tall walls in the face of the Atlantic Ocean. At the highest point, they are 214 meters high. They span 5 miles across the coastline. The trail which you can undertake to explore them will help you unveil their natural beauty across the coastline. They are situated at just a 90-minute drive from Galway. Should you be looking for places to stay nearby, you can choose from:
- Cliffs of Moher Hotel
- Vaughan Lodge
- Falls Hotel & Spa
You have 2 options to explore the cliffs. You can either explore them by embarking on a walking trail and hanging out on the viewing platforms or you can explore them from a cruise. The cruise starts from Doolin. It is hard to choose between both the options. They are equally entertaining. One thing which is for sure is that The Cliffs of Moher are not worth missing out on when you are in Ireland.
5. Glendalough, Wicklow:
Glendalough is the perfect mix of history and adventure. It is located just an hour away from Dublin. Apart from the natural beauty, it offers you plenty of walking trails to explore the natural beauty around the village. Most of the trails are frequented by locals and tourists alike. The walking trails often criss-cross across various older monuments which will help you explore the rich history of the town. Apart from adventure, some of the tourist attractions which it has on offer are:
- Visitor Centre
- Glendalough Monastic Settlement
- Wicklow Mountains National Park
The village is pretty old and was founded in the 6th century. Thus, whether you are an adventure lover or a cultural tourist, Glendalough has something for everyone.
6. Slane Castle, Meath:
The Slane Castle is a paradise for a history buff. The gothic gates right upfront makes it clear that you are going to experience a piece of Irish history. They perfectly compliment the gray stone castle building which is visible in the background. The Slane castle is surrounded by large grounds. On a normal day, it seems like the castle is past its glory and leading a passive existence. However, when the weekend arrives, it can easily turn itself into an amphitheater for concerts. It can accommodate up to 80,000 people in the concerts which are organized.
Ireland is famous for its Castles and the Slane Castle certainly does not disappoint. The town of Slane is just located at a distance of 30 miles from Dublin which makes it easier to reach. Dublin is one of the best places to stay in Ireland. The castle is just an hour away from the city center. The amalgamation of the old and modern culture in the Slane castle makes it worth a visit.
7. Inchydoney, Cork:
Inchydoney Island is the perfect Irish Gateway. The Island is located at a distance of 33 mi. An hour away from Cork lies this beautiful tranquil island. The route along the way is half the fun. With the scenic coastline, you will be hypnotized by the natural beauty of Ireland.
Once you reach the island, the Inchydoney Island Lodge and Spa is the best place to relax. The hotel has all the essential amenities on offer like the swimming pool, the view of waves crashing on the coastline, crackling fireplaces and an unparalleled view of the sea. Across the Island, you can explore the natural vicinity and pristine sandy beaches without having to bump into a lot of other tourists. Due to the scenic sunsets, the Inchydoney Island Lodge and Spa is one of the best places to stay in Ireland. The natural beauty and peaceful atmosphere of the island have made it one of the most popular tourist destinations in Ireland.
We have carefully compiled this list of Places to visit in Ireland to help you explore Ireland in its entirety without the hustle and bustle of tourists. When you embark on your Irish trip, do make sure you include these tourist attractions on your go-to list. These tourist attractions are some of the best, which Ireland has to offer.
