Ireland is a beautiful country, with many historic sights and attractions. If you are planning to visit Ireland, then these top places must be on your list. There are so many things to do in Dublin, Belfast and Galway city that you might not get enough time to explore the rest of the country. So here are some of the places around Ireland that should definitely be on your bucket list.
The Cliffs of Moher
The Cliffs of Moher are located in County Clare, Ireland. They are the tallest cliffs in Europe, and they’re also a World Heritage Site!
These majestic cliffs rise over 700 feet from the sea below, providing breathtaking views for visitors who want to get up close with nature. The Atlantic Ocean crashes against them with such force that it creates an impressive roaring sound that can be heard from miles away–and sometimes even during your drive there! If you’re lucky enough to visit when the weather is nice (it rains quite often), this may just be one of your favorite places ever.
The Burren National Park
The Burren National Park is a karst landscape in County Clare, Ireland. It has been designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO because of its uniqueness, and it’s home to many rare plants and animals. The park covers an area of over 1,000 square kilometers (about 400 square miles).
The name “Burren” comes from the Irish word for “rocky place.” The limestone here has been eroded into strange shapes by wind, rain and ice over millions of years–including caverns called potholes that were carved out by water flowing through them.
Trinity College, Dublin
The oldest university in Ireland, Trinity College is a beautiful and historic place. The campus is home to the Book of Kells, an ancient manuscript that dates back to 800 AD. The book was written by monks in a monastery on this site and is now housed in the library at Trinity College. You’ll also find a world famous collection of art and antiquities there as well as one of Dublin’s most beautiful libraries (which you can tour).
The Old Library in Trinity College Dublin
The Old Library in Trinity College Dublin is one of the oldest libraries in Ireland. It was built in 1712, and it’s still used as a study space for students today. The Old Library has high ceilings, ornate bookcases and stained glass windows–it’s a beautiful space to spend some time reading or writing.
Glendalough
Glendalough is a valley in County Wicklow, Ireland. It is a deeply incised glacial valley of the same name. The Valley of the Two Lakes (Irish: Doire Bhearra) has been called “Ireland’s most beautiful valley”.
The site was an important early Christian monastic settlement founded by St Kevin in the 6th century AD. It’s situated on the northern shore of Lower Lough Tay and has been known for centuries as one of Ireland’s most visited tourist attractions.
The Giant’s Causeway
The Giant’s Causeway is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it’s easy to see why. The 40,000+ basalt columns were formed 60 million years ago when volcanic activity deposited lava on the sea floor. As the lava cooled down and solidified, it split into hexagonal shapes that look like stacked bricks–hence their name “basalt.” The tallest columns reach 12 feet high, while most are 3-4 feet tall; they’re all different sizes so you’ll never get bored looking at them!
If you’re interested in learning more about these natural wonders of Ireland but don’t want to spend tons of money visiting multiple places in one day (like myself), this place is perfect for getting your fill without breaking your wallet or schedule too much.
Blarney Castle and Blarney Stone
Blarney Castle is a tourist attraction in Cork, Ireland. The castle was built in 1446 and has been the seat of the Earls of Desmond, Lords Barrymore and Lords Blarney. It’s one of the most famous castles in all of Ireland and has been featured on many travel shows such as “Castles Of Ireland” and “Ireland’s Castles”.
The Blarney Stone is located within the grounds at this historic site. If you want to kiss this stone then you have to climb up on top of it! There are no safety rails so be careful!
Kilkenny Castle
There are many places in Ireland that you will never forget. Among them is:
- Kilkenny Castle is another popular tourist destination located near Kilkenny City Centre high up on an elevated hilltop overlooking where O’Carroll built his castle back in 1192 AD. This castle was used as a residence until 1650 when Cromwell ordered all castles destroyed during his conquest campaign against Irish rebels led by Owen Roe O’Neill who were fighting for independence from England at this time period (1641-1652).
We hope that this list of places around Ireland that you will never forget has inspired you to visit some of these amazing destinations. We know from experience that it’s hard to narrow down the options, but we believe this list is a good place to start!