The Mourne Wall, a landmark in its own right, runs through the mountain range for over 35 km, connecting 15 summits, including the highest peak in Northern Ireland, Slieve Donard. Ireland boasts temperate climates as well as amazing sights. Many do this barefoot, but if thats too hardcore for you, worry not as you can climb the mountain on just about any day of the year, so long as the harsh weather of western Ireland permits you to do so. Although you can drive it in one day, we recommend giving yourself at least two to three days to take in the sights, ramble around some quaint villages, and tackle some of the various hikes and walks. 8. Dublin. The village is the postcard-perfect ideal of Irish countryside with narrow rural roads twisting and turning through rolling green meadows and stone walls, passing stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean crashing against the west coast. Dublin 2. Dingle - County Kerry 7. This is another good option if youre looking for the best things to do in Northern Ireland when its raining, as you can enjoy the views from the comfort of your car. This may be one of the most popular places to visit in Ireland to go on a camping trip. The capital of Ireland, Dublin is the most populous city in Ireland and where most cheap . For a short easy walk, choose the Blue Arboretum Path, a 0.8km trail that wanders through one of Irelands oldest arboretums (a botanical garden exclusively for trees). Hit up each of these spots and you can be guaranteed to grasp the unique combination of magic and mayhem that makes Ireland so special. For beautiful architecture, a visit to the Cathedral Quarter is a must. Along the Causeway Coast you can visit historic sites such as Dunluce Castleand enjoy wonderful scenery along Ballintoy and Murlough Bay. Killarney 4. One of the most popular stops on the route is the Skellig Islands. A word of warning, its a long and challenging 5km walk with lots of stairs, and a height restriction of four feet. There are two St. Patricks Cathedral in Armagh, one for the Roman Catholic Church and one for the Church of Ireland. Rick's Best Three-Week Ireland Trip (by Car) Spend your first three nights in Dublin, using buses and taxis, then pick up a car for the rest of this itinerary. Both are managed by the National Trust and can get crowded on nice days (see parking here and here on Google Maps). These extraordinary sheers are featured in some spectacular scenes in the 2009 movie adaptation of J.K. Rowlings Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. 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. Popular sights along the way include the Giants Causeway, Dunluce Castle, and the Carrick-a-rede rope bridge and much, much more! Clifden 10. Theres also some excellentrestaurants in Belfast to kick-back in after a long day of exploring). document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. East Coast: Ireland's Ancient East 1. Its no secret that Belfast has had a turbulent past, and the Black Cab Tours (which are given by long-term residents) can give you an in-depth understanding of what it was like to live in the city during those times. Get more travel inspiration, tips and exclusive offers sent straight to your inbox. 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.). Newgrange 4. A part of the Causeway Coast, Portstewart Strand is another G.O.T filming location, and a great spot for a swim, a surf, or a family picnic. Kilkenny also hosts an arts festival in August, which sees the city transform into a huge street party. In the southeast of the Sperrin Mountain range, youll find the Beaghmore Stone Circles, a circle of seven stones that date back to the Bronze Age. The List: Best Places to Visit in Ireland for 2023, Per Travel Experts. Everyones a winner. This website is amazing. Book a day tour to Kilkenny, Glendalough, and Wicklow Mountains from Dublin here! 20-Year Anthology DVD Box Set. The park is packed with things to do and see, with four way-marked trails, and several interesting buildings and historical features. Glendalough is an unmissable stop in Wicklow. Keem Bay is further west on Achill, and it is arguably Ireland's most beautiful beach. The peninsula borders Strangford Lough, a highly biodiverse area, and the largest sea lough in the United Kingdom. A ramble up to Kodak Corner at sunrise is another of the top things to do in Northern Ireland. 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. The truth is, everyone should know about this city. The church played a significant role in the Catholic Church of Ireland until the 16th century when it was taken over by the Church of Ireland during the Irish Reformation. It was built in 1467 by the O'Brien family and has been renovated with no expenses spared. Dublin, Cork and Galway are fantastic cities and have to be seen, but arguably, Ireland's best places to visit are those that take you out into the country. Clare Island - County Mayo 5. It has been standing for over 800 years and once belonged to the Guinness family. The massive castle property provides guests the opportunity to enjoy many sports and leisure activities including tennis, clay pigeon shooting, archery and golf. Go up through the trees to the plateau for some amazing views of Belfast! It's a coastline of small villages, rolling hills, lakes, and mountains. Over the past 1,300 years, the Island has played host to a Monastery, a 24-acre Fortress and the largest convict depot in the world. Killarney has so much on its doorstep that it is the perfect base for visitors who want to experience everything that Ireland is famed for. Theres a clatter of trails on offer here from Slieve Doanand Slieve Binnian to the mighty Slieve Bearnagh. So while in Dublin, see the city itself and also go to county Wicklow to a place like Glendalough as a day trip and to county Meath to Newgrange. Many of the outdoor spots - including Castletown House Parklands, the Connemara National Park and Kilkenny Castle Parklands are already open to those lucky. April is a lovely month for a trip to Ireland. Here's an example of a one-week Ireland road trip itinerary: Day 1 - Arrive in Dublin. . In later years, the Abbey was run by Benedictine nuns and used as a girls boarding school until its closure in 2010. It would be easier to pick the top 100 best places to visit in Ireland but if we really have to, these are the top ten places in Ireland to visit. While the Cliffs of Moher get all the attention, there is another incredible precipice in Ireland. The popular Carrick-a-rede Rope Bridgeis a great place to visit in Ireland to capture the beauty of the Irish coastline. Dalkey 13. The city is rich with culture and history, offering visitors the opportunity to really understand the troubled past and learn from the many museums, open-top bus tours and fascinating murals painted around the city that depict the political landscape and conflicting ideals of the two sides of the community. Wexford is home to 275km of coastline, so beaches are without a doubt some of Wexford's top attractions. Theres no danger of getting bored here! Many people subscribe to the scientific theory that the Giants Causeway is the result of millions of years of volcanic activity. Halloween is one of the worlds most loved holidays, perhaps no more so than in the USA. Road Affair is reader-supported and may earn commission from purchases made through links in this article. The unofficial capital of Irish traditional music is little more than a small, single street and a couple of little pubs and yet, more often than not visitors find themselves captivated, ensnared by its charm and reluctant to leave too quickly. It has magnificent views of Belfast, Lough Neagh and the Irish Sea. Let Me Tell Ye! I dont know how much that will cost but thats the only way I can think of. It also includes admission onto the SS Nomadic, the ship that ferried first and second-class passengers to the Titanic from Cherbourg. The Mourne Mountains are Northern Irelands most impressive mountain range, and theyre home to NIs tallest peak, Slieve Donard, which rises 850 metres tall. Heymondooffers tailor-made, zero-deductible insurance plans with COVID-19 coverage and 24/7 worldwide assistance. Lets check them out! Ulster Transport Museum in Belfast is outstanding. (I've definitely spent more time wearing raincoats than bathing suits in Ireland during the summer), the Emerald Isle absolutely shines during the summer months. day 4 Galway stuff. A tour of the factory to see the master craftsmen at work is worth the trip, but there is much more to do here than that. Here are the ones you cant miss. Some of the more notable castles are Dunluce Castle, Belfast Castle, Kinbane Castle, Carrickfergus Castle, Castle Ward, and Dunseverick Castle. Luckily, over the years its been upgraded, and today, its a thrilling (yet sturdy) 20-metre walk across, suspended 30-metres above the water! Weve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from What Northern Ireland tourist attractions are good for families? to What things to do in NI are good for a date?. A brilliant day out. right: Google Maps. You should be aware it may prove a little challenging to get to without the sign posts and car parks of its rival. Nearby, you can visit local farms, woolen mills, and the nearby Killarney National Park. The tumultuous past of this small nation is no secret. Book recommended: Moving Out, Working Abroad, and Keeping Your Sanity. The Giant's Causeway is a UNESCO World Heritage site that was formed between 50 and 60 million years ago due to volcanic activity. If amazing mountains are too much for you to tackle, perhaps youll enjoy a stroll around Powerscourt House & Gardens. If the birds arent enough, perhaps the opportunity to explore Luke Skywalkers hideaway could tempt you here. Theyve taken over Vegas in the name of UFC superstar Conor McGregor, endearing themselves to both the media and host nations wherever they go. "If you only have time to visit one place in Ireland, go to Dublin," says U.S. News. This is a big plus as Waterford is also home to some of the best beaches Ireland has to offer. Just watch out for those crosswinds! St. Patricks Cathedral (Church of Ireland) is built on a site that dates back to a stone monastery founded by St. Patrick in the 5th century. Titanic Belfast is the worlds biggest Titanic visitor experience, with nine interactive galleries. Both are beautifully built and whilst theyre not to be confused, they are interlinked. They are normally overrun with tourists. Kinsale 16. Music, art, literature and Celtic mythology all retained their place, inextricably tied to the roots of the Emerald Isle. Sure, there is some overlap in the categories, but thats to be expected! It costs 10 per car, but its miles cheaper than buying Visitor Experience tickets which include parking at the visitor centre. There's plenty of the entertainment, shopping and special events you expect in a large, thriving city. During its time, the jail was home to a wide range of prisoners from suffragettes, to republicans and loyalists. Muckross House Oliver Heinrichs/Shutterstock Book a day tour to Blarney Castle and Cork from Dublin here! Photos by Art Ward via Irelands Content Pool. Cliffs of Moher 14. They consist of Inishmore, Inishmaan, and Inisheer. 10 of Ireland's top visitor attractions | Ireland.com 1. For those who do venture here, theyll find a vibrant city full of character and welcoming locals. 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. Exclusive offers sent straight to your inbox will cost but thats the only way i can think.! National park expect best places to visit in ireland in summer a large, thriving city popular sights along the Causeway you. 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