May is also a great time to visit because many of the museums, galleries and other attractions that may be closed during the winter season start to open up. The Portstewart Strand Sand Dune & Estuary Trail is the perfect way to stretch your legs, with lovely coastal views during the easy 5.6km trail. Start by climbing the path from the car park, when you reach the top, turn right and continue through the woodland. The rugged landscape has endless possibilities for trekkers and hikers, and more than a few challenges for keen climbers. For families with younger children, summer is an ideal time to visit, offering the most opportunities to get outside. Whether you want sunshine, off-season prices or to avoid the crowds, we can tell you the best time to visit Ireland. The Peak has two Bronze Age cairns and spectacular views. Whiskey fans will no doubt enjoy the brewery tour at the Old Jameson Distillery, and the famous Guinness Storehouse tour at St. James Gate is an experience that you definitely shouldnt skip on your trip to Dublin. If you want to experience the pride and passion that Irish people have for the national sports of Gaelic football or hurling, there is no better place than Croke Park. It was built in 1467 by the O'Brien family and has been renovated with no expenses spared. Killarney National Park 15. While you can have a wonderful time in just about any little corner of the country, these places are notoriously great craic. Its a great spot for a short ramble or a longer walk with several scenic trails on offer. When night falls, Viking heritage and Gaelic culture combine to bring Carlingford to life, with mighty craic to be had throughout the many traditional pubs and fantastic restaurants. This truly is one of the best places to go to in Ireland for any traveler, as well as a major highlight of The Wild Atlantic Way. Whether youre a nature lover or an adrenaline junkie, a history buff or an Irish music fan, theres something here for everyone. It's one of the most beautiful places in Ireland and is literally within commuting distance of Dublin. The former shepherd and renowned snake-hater went on to become the patron saint of Ireland, and is now a major influence for global binge drinking on March 17th every year. The Cliffs of Moher drop into the ocean at the edge of The Burren region another impressive feat of nature, which is a large stretch of rocky, karst land whose barren landscape is unlike any other area in Ireland. The crown jewel for tourists to the region is undoubtedly the fabulous Kylemore Abbey, well-known for its heartbreaking tale. Stop at Killary Harbour, Ireland's only fjord; the scenically situated Kylemore Abbey; the Alcock and Brown monument near Clifden that commemorates the landing site of the first non-stop transatlantic flight in 1919; and take to the hiking trails of the 40,000-acre Connemara National Park. If you like green landscapes and don't mind some rain, Ireland offers endless opportunities for mixing movement with gorgeous views and deep history.It's a place to take your time and travel on foot if you can. Book a day tour to Glendalough and Wicklow Mountains from Dublin here! By Insight Vacations. It's a coastline of small villages, rolling hills, lakes, and mountains. That means the residents all speak Gaelic Irish and almost all the signs and newspapers here are in a language that may look somewhat elfin to foreigners. With its Medieval old town, WWII memorials, and Napoleonic . While the striking Causeway Coastal Route was already a site to behold, the region has seen a boom in tourism in recent years thanks to more fantasy. 8. A medieval banquet is offered in the evenings, complete with period entertainment. 5. Sports are huge in Ireland, nowhere more so than in Dublin. The walk takes most people two and a half hours. For a truly unique experience, head to the Dark Sky Observatory in Davagh Forest. Located just off the Causeway Coastal Route, its a great little detour and the chance to tour a working distillery! The cliffs rise to 214 meters above the sea at O'Brien's Tower and stretch for about 8 km's with +/-800 meters of. Ireland came out in a surprise third place on Penfold's list. The Marble Arch Caves are a series of limestone caves and underground rivers at the foothills of Cuilcagh Mountain. This spectacular gorge is nestled between some huge mountains, include Carrantuohill, Irelands highest peak at 3,500 feet. Busy, modern, lively Dublin is a must-stop for any visitor to Ireland. Wexford 9. If you have a place that youd like to recommend, let me know in the comments below and Ill check it out! The Crumlin Road Gaol is an old jail in Belfast that dates back to 1846. Come smell lush green grass, walk through meandering country lanes, sit on old brick walls and gape at craggy mountainsides. There are also quite a few early Christian churches and Bronze Age forts to have a peek at. 1. Belfast City Hall (especially when the Belfast Christmas markets are on!) They are normally overrun with tourists. This may be one of the most popular places to visit in Ireland to go on a camping trip. Theres a whole lot of fun to be had outside of the bars, and your Guinness will taste even better in front of the fire after tackling any of these! 4. Raiders from Scandinavia left their mark for centuries to follow. insp.ireland. This is one of the best things to see in Ireland and a visit to this major tourist attraction may well be the highlight of your holiday. Both are managed by the National Trust and can get crowded on nice days (see parking here and here on Google Maps). Fear not though, the people here are a warm and welcoming lot and can speak English too, when they need to! The city of Killarney in County Kerry is a great place to visit if you want a little taste of everything that Ireland has to offer. The park is also home to Irelands largest population of red deer, and more recently it welcomed the reintroduction of the golden eagle. Titanic Belfast is the worlds biggest Titanic visitor experience, with nine interactive galleries. While a city with the youngest population in Ireland may sound hellish to some, the fact is that the youthful exuberance of this student haven is all part of the greater charm that breathes life into a city renowned for its arts, music and crafts, unlike any other place in the country. The Game of Thrones filming locations, 13. Overnight in Galway. Photos via Colin Glen Forest Park on Facebook. The area is the perfect base for a few days for visitors to check out the Cliffs of Moher or take a jaunt to the Aran Islands. Theres no danger of getting bored here! 95%. If you arent afraid of cold water then youll find Ireland has surprisingly good options for watersports. A spring month, April in Ireland is a month of changeable weather but also one offering lovely sunny days and, most of the time, smaller crowds. The Divis Summit Trail is a 4.5km loop walk across Divis Mountain. Book a day tour to the Cliffs of Moher from Dublin here! Having spent the past 20 years trying to shake its fearsome reputation for bombs and bullets, Belfast is a city somewhat undiscovered by the larger tourist population. Glenveagh National Park is famed for its rambling grounds, with over 40,000 acres of mountains, glens, lakes and woods attracting people from afar to enjoy the incredible natural beauty. Wonderful modern architecture and glossy new business premises straddle the River Liffey that splits Irelands capital city, reminding tourists that the country is far from a sinking ship. This former Viking fjord is nestled on the coast just across the Irish border, with the Mourne Mountains on one side and the looming peaks of Slieve Foy on the other. 1. Belfast (and the benefit of the doubt). Where to stay in Ireland? Book a day tour to Blarney Castle and Cork from Dublin here! The Best Places to Visit in Europe in Summer Andalucia, Spain. Mussenden Temple in County Derry is one of the more picture-perfect places to go in Northern Ireland. You can either park in the Cuilcagh Boardwalk car park (it costs 6 and should be pre-booked) at the entrance to the trail, or at Killykeegan Nature Reserve car park (free) 1km past the trail entrance. Dublin is the capital of Ireland and as such, it is a place that everyone should experience at least once when visiting Ireland. On the Owenbrean River Walking Cave Tour, youll discover pools, and hidden tunnels, and follow the rivers journey as it carves a path through the stone. When in Galway, you could go to the Cliffs of Moher, Connemara and the Aran Islands. This is why it is one of the most popular destinations year-round. Some must-try activities are the Black Bull Run, a 565-metre roller coaster through the Colin Glen Forest, the Gruffalo & Stickman Guided Walk (great for young kids! The capital city of Northern Ireland earned a notorious reputation in the later part of the 20th century as a hotbed of violence and hostility for the unwelcome British military presence in the country. Showing no signs of stopping there, the city has teamed up with Belfast to target the title of European Capital of Culture in 2023. The Bunratty tower house is one of the best castles in Ireland and is beloved by locals and visitors alike. Athlone 14. Named after the saint who founded the monastery, St. Kevins Cross is carved from granite and bears arms that are over a metre in length. With beautiful turrets and lovely grounds, its definitely one of the most picturesque castles in Ireland! Stretching for 3.2km, the beaches fine golden sand and abundant wildlife make it extremely popular. Book recommended: Moving Out, Working Abroad, and Keeping Your Sanity. McDermott's Pub Doolin Enniskerry, Wicklow Enniskerry is located in the heart of the Wicklow Mountains and only a short drive from Dublin. . North of Achill is the Erris Peninsula which has Elly Bay, a safe beach with shallow waters, or Glosh and Crosshead Beaches, which offer dangerous, menacing waves. Dublin. The following locations have been laid out in four categories to show what Ireland really has to offer. Kilkenny is a large town on the River Nore that was an abundant source of black, polished marble in years gone by. Day 3 - Explore Connemara or the Aran Islands. When in Belfast, do the Giants' Causeway. This is an incredibly unique way to explore the city and a must for anyone visiting Belfast! Attractions include the tunnel from the goal to the courthouse, the holding cells, and the chilling Hangmans Cell. is also well worth rambling around. ), and the SKYTrek ropes course, a 50ft high course with a 90-metre zipline. The Carrick-a-rede Rope Bridge dates back to 1755 when salmon fishermen built the bridge to connect Carrick-a-Rede to the mainland. Waterford 11. Cork. differences between Northern Ireland vs Ireland, Game of Thrones filming locations in Ireland. Baltimore - County Cork 8. A visit to the caves is the ultimate subterranean adventure, with a 60-minute guided tour on offer. Here are some of the top places to see the aurora in County Donegal: Dooey Beach - Located on a small peninsula, Dooey Beach has great western views across the water and northern views with limited light pollution. Book a day tour to Giants Causeway from Belfast or Dublin here! History maintains that in return for his support of Robert the Bruce, the latter bestowed half of the famous stone upon MacCarthy, and it was then built into the wall of the castle. It has magnificent views of Belfast, Lough Neagh and the Irish Sea. The Rock of Cashel is one of the best places to visit in Ireland. Fishing is also permitted in the lakes, so perhaps you truly go into the wild and catch your own dinner! Kilkenny 6. On a clear day, youll see Scotland off in the distance! Best Places to Visit in Beautiful Ireland Connemara National Park Connemara is arguably one of the most breathtaking regions of Ireland and draws a comparison to the Scottish highlands. Hill of Tara 5. The Little Museum of Dublin 13,236 Speciality Museums History Museums South City Centre Dingle Peninsula - the best of the west The Dingle Peninsula is located on Ireland's southwest Atlantic coast, the northernmost of County Kerry's peninsulas, ending at Dunmore Head, the westernmost part of the Emerald Isle. Kilkenny is where you'll find a fascinating mix of religious roots, national history and medieval architecture. The Discovery Tour is a one-hour walk outdoors with a tour guide and roaming headset. A visit here during the off-season when crowds are smaller is one of the best things to do in Northern Ireland, in our opinion, as theres a surprise around every corner. Note: Theres some key differences between Northern Ireland vs Ireland for those of you that have never visited before (currency, metric system, road signs, etc.). Tralee 11. If only they knew what they were missing out on. Killarney is the starting point for many people who come to tackle the famous Ring of Kerry. Places to visit in Ireland - Most beautiful Cities and Towns 1. See our tips on timing a trip to Ireland; Pat O'Connor is the co-author of the Rick Steves Ireland guidebook. A ramble up to Kodak Corner at sunrise is another of the top things to do in Northern Ireland. Some good rainy day attractions in Northern Ireland are Crumlin Road Gaol, The Old Bushmills Distillery, the GoT Studio and the Marble Arch Caves. Those mountains and lakes are not only good for photos, but also a whole lot of fun for those who seek adventure. The area around Iveragn Peninsula in particular has some stunning scenery spanning a distance of 170km. July and August see the least rain, but for slightly smaller crowds, consider . In the section below, weve popped in the most FAQs that weve received. For beautiful architecture, a visit to the Cathedral Quarter is a must. Without a doubt, its the best place in Ireland to celebrate Halloween. Whether you are from Ireland, are living here temporarily or are just visiting, here are the 50 best things to do in Ireland summer or winter.or any time of year that you plan to visit!. Along the Causeway Coast you can visit historic sites such as Dunluce Castleand enjoy wonderful scenery along Ballintoy and Murlough Bay. It may be wet and windy, but that doesnt stop the fun in Ireland. The park is packed with things to do and see, with four way-marked trails, and several interesting buildings and historical features. The Giants Causeway is a UNESCO World Heritage site that was formed between 50 and 60 million years ago due to volcanic activity. What Was The Original Color Associated With St. Patrick (And Why)? Just to name a few: Skellig Michael, County Kerry: You travel 12km out to sea to climb the ancient stairways that cling to the rocky edges of the island. At the top of the drive, theres a parking area where you can enjoy the views and stop for a picnic, or hike to Slieve Gullions summit (the highest point in County Armagh at 576 metres). Dublin 2. Lewiss Chronicles of Narnia, and are a walkers paradise! day 3 leave Dublin - see Newgrange, drive to Galway. The Giants Causeway is one of the most popular places to visit in Northern Ireland and, while its well worth a visit, large crowds, pricy parking and bad weather can make or break your experience. There is so much to love about Dublin at this time of year. 11. Adare 15. Few tourists attractions in Northern Ireland draw thirsty crowds like this place! Day 4 - See the Cliffs of Moher. Along the Causeway Coast you can visit historic sites such as Dunluce Castle and enjoy wonderful scenery along Ballintoy and Murlough Bay. I want emails from Road Affair with travel updates and marketing. On the summit of this awe-inspiring rock, you will find a remarkably well preserved 6th-century monastic settlement. Book a day tour of the Ring of Kerry from Killarney here! Day 2 - Tour the west coast. The stone's steps were hand-forged by monks centuries ago. If an epic island getaway sounds idyllic, one of the best places for a vacation in Ireland this summer has to be Aran Islands, off the coast of Galway. The hike takes you through the Cave Hill Country Park, although its not for the faint-hearted. Newgrange 4. 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