Attractions in Ireland

Ireland Attractions

Dublin - Dublin, the capital city of Ireland, offers a plethora of attractions and things to do. First on any visit must be the Guinness Storehouse where the famous stout(or porter) is brewed. In the Storehouse you will learn about the history of the Guinness, its advertising, the brewing process, sample variants of Guinness beer, learn how to pour the perfect pint, try traditional Irish recipes that use Guinness as an ingredient and finally sample a full pint of the Black Stuff. If you can still walk straight, Trinity College must be next on your itinerary. Ireland's premier college, it houses the Book of Kells, in the Old Library, a 9th century illustrated gospel manuscript. Other college attractions include the Douglas Hyde Gallery used to display various forms of art work, the Oscar Wild Centre for Irish writing, the Science Gallery, Science Safari Podcast Trail and lastly, the Samuel Becket Theatre which showcases the work of the Drama Department and outside term time hosts visits from dance and theatre companies from all over the world. Other attractions include: The National Botanic Gardens, over 20,000 species in 19.5 hectares. Dublin Writers Museum, celebrating 300 years of Irish writers, including Wilde, Yeats, Shaw, Swift, Beckett, Sheridan and Joyce. The National Gallery, a collection of works of art dating from the 14th century. George Bernard Shaw Birthplace, a Nobel Prize winner, this victorian home has been restored to it's former elegant condition giving a true feeling of life and living as it was. Dublin Castle, site of a Viking hill fort, replaced by a Norman castle in 1204. Dublin Zoo, over 700 animals and birds in 30 acres of grounds. Dublin Viking Adventure, an interactive experience, travel back in time to Viking Dyflin. St Stephen's Green, a 9 hectare park in the centre of the city with flowerbeds, tree lined walks, herbaceous borders, shrubberies and a lake.

The Southwest - Counties Cork and Kerry, after Dublin, are the most visited regions of the republic. The lakes and mountains of Killarney are popular destinations and not to be missed. The Ring of Kerry, a scenic drive with a majestic coastline, passes through interesting towns and villages. With many attractions to stop off and see and some excellent view points, a camera is essential. The Ring of Kerry is some 170km long, so allow at least a whole day if you're driving and 3 days with a bicycle. Don't miss Muckross House and Gardens near Killarney, Torc Waterfall, Ladies View and Molls Gap on the Killarney to Kenmare road(N71), the town of Kenmare, famous for it's lace making, the village of Sneem with its manicured greens and colourful shops and houses, Caherdanial, the view of which, from the N71 road, is possibly the best in Ireland, Derrynane House, home to the late Daniel O Connell "The Liberator", Skellig Michael, a steep rocky island, once the home a monastic settlement, Waterville, often visited by Charlie Chaplin and his family, Rossbeigh, a surf washed 8km sandy beach close to the charming village of Glenbeigh. For the active a range of activities are available including golf, sea and lake fishing, water sports, horse riding, trekking and cycling. Cork is the republics second largest city. The main shopping area is a delight with narrow streets to explore, independent stores, a cafe culture and alfresco dining in appropriate weather. There are theatres, an annual international film festival in mid October, the Guinness Jazz Festival, 4 days at the end of October, the Cork International Choral Festival, on every year for the four days before the May Bank Holiday Monday, Cork Comedy Festival each year in July, Cork City Arts Fest in mid November and Cork Midsummer Arts Festival at the end of June and beginning of July. Visit Cobh to the east of Cork with its magnificent cathedral, it was the last port of call for the safest liner in the world, the ill-fated Titanic. West Cork is a favorite of holiday makers and like Kerry offers dramatic scenery and fine beaches. Kinsale, a harbour town, is justly recognised as a centre of food excellence. Its gourmet restaurants are members of the Good Food Circle and each year, in October, hold a fabulous food festival. If good food is your thing than a visit here is a must.

Southeast - Perhaps Wexford is best known for growing strawberries which are distributed all over Ireland and, of course, the port of Rosslare from where ferries ply their trade between Ireland, Wales and France. There are various festivals throughout the year and one of particular note is Wexford Festival Opera, an extravaganza of opera both traditional and contemporary. The festival runs for 8 days during the latter part of October. Known as one of the 2 warmest counties in Ireland, Wexford has some excellent beaches. Places worth a visit include the John F. Kennedy Arboretum, Duncannon Fort, Irish Agricultural Museum and Famine Exhibition, Wexford Wildfowl Reserve and Wexford Heritage town.
Carlow is a county of beautiful countryside with forests, mountains and lakes. It celebrates this outstanding and varied countryside with a walking festival in October. Consider visiting Dunleckney Manor, magnificent country house, St. Laserian's Cathedral, Duiske Glass, Borris House, the ancestral home of the MacMurrough Kavanaghs and Carlow Brewing Company, an independent Irish brewery.
County Waterford has a number of superb seaside resorts along its coast. Notable for its beauty, Copper Coast Geopark is 15 miles of beaches and coves sheltered by rocky cliffs and headlands, stretching from Tranmore to Dungarvan. Inland there are 2 dramatic mountain ranges, ideal for walkers. Worth visiting are Lismore Castle, Irish home of the Dukes of Devonshire since 1753, in Waterford City the Waterford Museum of Treasures and, on the same site, Waterford Viking Show, also Reginalds Tower Museum.

Western Ireland -

The Midlands -

Eastern Ireland -

The Northwest -

The Northeast -