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Top Things To See
Visit the world heritage sites
Brú na Bóinne, of the Palace of Boyne, in County Meath is an important prehistoric sites with henges, tombs, and standing stones dating back to the 35th century BC. There is a good visitor centre in Donore where the guided tours begin. Skellig Michael, Michael's Rock, on an island in County Kerry is one of the most remote Celtic monasteries in Europe. The Giant's Causeway, is however, Ireland's most famous World Heritage Site. The natural wonder is an area of around 40,000 basalt columns, mostly in hexagon shapes. A fine stout Visit the Guinness Storehouse (www.guinness-storehouse.com), part of the world-renowned brewery and Dublin's most visited attraction. It may be a bit cheesey, but the free pint of perfectly kept stout in the rooftop Gravity Bar at the end makes it worth sitting through the history. Read at Trinity College Visit Trinity College (www.tcd.ie), an oasis of Elizabethan elegance in the heart of Dublin and home to the world-famous Book of Kells. It is also the alma mater of such notables as Oscar Wilde, Bram Stoker and Samuel Beckett. Have an ephinany Investigate the rich traces of Ireland's monastic heritage, from the stunning ruins of Clonmacnois in County Offaly to the pastoral beauty of Glendalough in County Wicklow. Other monastic highlights include the hilltop remains of Cashel in County Tipperary and the windswept, desolate beauty of Glencolumbcille in County Donegal. Chester Beatty Library Wonder at the breathtakingly beautiful rare books and artefacts of the Chester Beatty Library (www.cbl.ie) in Dublin, whose collection include some of the most outstanding examples of decorated Qu'rans in the world as well as one of the world's oldest biblical fragments. Kilmainham Gaol Get to grips with the hard edge of Irish history with a visit to Kilmainham Gaol (www.heritageireland.ie), Dublin, where most of the rebels against British rule were incarcerated and where the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising were executed. Killary views Admire the stunning western wilderness of Connemara, including Ireland's only fjord at Killary Harbour and the network of scenic roads and trails through the Twelve Bens, the mountain range that runs through the heart of the region. The Cliffs of Moher Marvel at the majestic Cliffs of Moher (www.cliffsofmoher.ie), one of Ireland's top visitor attractions. Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean in County Clare, visitors can take in the superb views of the Aran Islands, Galway Bay and the Mountains in Connemara. Forts, flora and fauna Clamber about the 2,000 stone forts that litter the landscape of County Clare, a county that would be virtually unknown were it not for The Burren (www.burrenbeo.com), a beautiful limestone landscape overlooking Galway Bay and formed around an ancient barony of that name. Kiss the Blarney Stone If you are in Cork, its going to happen, so step up to the Blarney Castle (near Cork) and kiss that stone. This tradition says that it proffers the gift of elequence - it worked for Sir Walter Scott and (most) other preeminant world leaders. It is a cliché, but the surprisingly vertiginous experince is still fun. Spend time to explore the surrounding countryside, imaganing what life was like when Blarney Castle was built more than 600 years ago (Blarney in County Cork; www.blarneycastle.ie). Kilkenny festivals Visit the medieval city of Kilkenny, whose fabulous pubs and nightlife are best enjoyed during one of the yearly festivals, which include the superb Cat Laughs (www.thecatlaughs.com) comedy festival and the Kilkenny Arts Festival (www.kilkennyarts.ie). Bunratty Castle & Folk Park Explore the acclaimed 15th century Bunratty Castle and 19th century Bunratty Folk Park. The Castle is the most complete and authentic medieval fortress in Ireland and features 15th and 16th century furnishings, tapestries, and works of art. The Folk Park is in the grounds of the castle and is an impressive 10 hectares (26 acres), with over 30 buildings in a ‘living' village and rural setting. See Contact Addresses for further tourist information. |
