Ireland is a beautiful island with breathtaking landscapes and lots of places to explore. Below are our recommendations. Are they on your itinerary?
1. Cliffs of Moher
The Cliffs of Moher area is Ireland’s top tourist attraction. The area represents an area of outstanding natural beauty, a haven for wildlife, and a part of the UNESCO Global Geopark (a region with outstanding geology). The cliffs rise about 700 feet at the highest point and span 5 miles, towering above over the Atlantic Ocean. This area is home to rare flora like Cat’s Ear and over 20 different seabirds species including guillemots, razorbills, and puffins. The cliffs are a rare example of a sedimentary basin that was formed about 320 million years ago.
2. Blarney Castle
Dermot McCarthy, King of Munster, built the current Blarney Castle structure in 1446. The castle is famous for the Blarney Stone, the legendary stone of Eloquence, which is found at the top of the tower. Don’t forget to check out the grounds and see the poison garden, natural rock formations, and Blarney House.
3. Ring of Kerry
The Ring of Kerry is a circular 111-mile scenic drive around the Iveragh Peninsula in County Kerry. The drive offers stunning views of the rugged coastline and forests of Ireland. There are multiple places to stop and see the sites including Ross Castle, Staigue stone fort, Muckross House, Lough Leane, Dunloe Ogham Stones, Rossbeigh Beach, Torc Waterfall, and scenic viewpoints like Ladies view.
4. Rock of Cashel
The Rock of Cashel consists of a collection of medieval buildings set on an outcrop of limestone. Walls circle an area containing a 12th century round tower, 13th-century Gothic cathedral, and a 12th-century Romanesque chapel (Cormac’s Chapel, home to some of the oldest frescoes).
5. The Burren
The Burren is an area of beautiful, unique, and fascinating Karst landscape and part of the UNESCO Global Geopark. There are over 2,700 monuments including Poulnabrone Dolmen, a portal tomb dating back to the Neolithic period.
6. Kilkenny Castle
Kilkenny Castle was built in 12th-century after the Norman conquest of Ireland to control a fording point of the River Nore. It has been rebuilt, extended, and adapted over the last 800 years.
7. Powerscourt Estate
Powerscourt Estate consists of a house and 47-acres of gardens. The house was originally a 13th-century castle that was remodeled during the 18th century before it went up in flames in 1974. The current building was renovated in 1996. National Geographic selected it as one of the top 3 gardens in the world. The main attractions in the garden are the Italian garden, the Japanese garden, Pet Cemetery, Pepperpot Tower, Triton Lake, Dolphin Pond, Walled gardens, and the statues.
8. Boyne Valley
Boyne Valley is the birthplace of Ireland’s Ancient East with many prehistoric, monastic, Viking and Norman heritage sites, and monuments. We visited Hill of Tara, Lai Fail (Stone of Destiny), Bective Abby, Trim Castle, Loughcrew Cairns, Muridoch’s Celtic cross at Monasterboice, and St. Peter’s Church.
Bonus: Guinness Lake a.k.a. Lough Tay
Lough Tay is a small lake in the Wicklow Mountains. The bright white sand and dark peaty water look like a pint of Guinness!
Are you thinking about exploring Ireland? Contact us today to plan your trip!