Where to Go in Ireland: The 5 Destinations You Must Visit

When asked about Ireland, most people think of the famous stubbornness of the Irish, their soft whiskey or the endless evergreen meadows. Indeed, the Emerald Isle is a special place with a unique energy, and everyone willing to visit the country will certainly not be bored. In this article, we’ll introduce five of the most intriguing and popular destinations in Ireland. They are a must no matter during what time of the year you find yourself in the Land of Saints and Scholars.

We are not just too polite when we say that there is much to see in Ireland! On a territory of 84,421 km², people can find hundreds of museums, gardens, galleries, ancient castles, natural formations and miracles, and so on. Don’t miss visiting at least one of the famed Irish pubs and enjoying a pint or two. In the next lines, we’ll present to your attention:

• Blarney Castle
• The Cliffs of Moher
• Killarney National Park
• Ring of Kerry
• National Museum of Ireland.

Blarney Castle

If you are in Cork and have more than just a couple of days, you must visit Blarney Castle. It’s one of the most well-known attractions in the country as a whole. The castle is located less than 9 km from Cork, and the original stone construction was raised in 1210 to be finally finished in 1446 by the king of Munster. Blarney Castle impresses and attracts tourists with its towers and dungeons. Don’t miss the surrounding garden where you can explore exciting secret corners or simply enjoy the stone features.

The Cliffs of Moher

On Ireland’s west coast are located some of the most unique and extraordinary natural formations in the region – The Cliffs of Moher. Named after Mothar, a promontory fort ruined during the Napoleon war in the 1800s, these cliffs run for more than 14 km. They reach a maximum 214 m height after about 8 km to the north. There is a visitor centre there, and tourists can book a tour with a guide who can tell interesting stories about the place.

The Cliffs of Moher are part of many day trips starting from Dublin. The destination is in the County Clare at, just about 30 minutes drive from Galway, where you can also visit the City Museum, Cathedral, and the Spanish Arch. The Cliffs of Moher are visited by an average of almost one million people every year.

Killarney National Park

We have selected a couple of fascinating destinations in the Kerry region. The first one is the oldest national park in Ireland – Killarney National Park. It was officially opened in 1932 and covers 26,000 acres. The park provides three lakes on its territory, with Muckross being the most famous one. Another national heritage tourist can visit while exploring the region is Ross Castle. It was raised in the 15th century and provides plenty of sightseeing.

Among the woodlands and beautiful sceneries, visitors will also find the Muckross house and gardens. The family of Senator Arthur Vincent entrusted the estate to Ireland, and this act caused the Killarney National Park formation. There is pretty much to be observed there, but we recommend hiring one of the Jaunting Cars (Horse and Trap) and making a tour in an old-fashioned way.

Ring of Kerry

The Ring of Kerry is the other place you should visit while you are still in the county. This is by far the most scenic course in the Emerald Isle. The circular route is 179 km long, starting from Killarney and going through Kenmare, Kenmare Bay, Sneem, Caherdaniel, and back via the northern shores of Iveragh Peninsula. Drivers must be careful because of the numerous mesmerising Atlantic Ocean views. The trip will take more than three hours, but you really don’t have to hurry because there are not many similar places offering such a jaw-dropping experience. There are plenty of activities within the route, too, including horse-riding, golf, deep-sea angling, and sightseeing tours.

National Museum of Ireland

And going back to history, we would like to introduce the National Museum of Ireland, located in Dublin. In fact, only three of the four branches are located in the city, and the other one is very close:

• Archaeology Museum – Kildare Street, Dublin
• Decorative Arts and History Museum – Collins Barracks, Dublin
• Country Life Museum – Turlough Village, County Mayo
• Natural History Museum – Merrion Street, Dublin.

The National Museum of Ireland is an unforgettable place where visitors can spend their whole day finding thousands of exhibits, including wildlife, photographs, ancient furniture, ceramics, coins, jewellery, and many other historical treasures.

Conclusion

Finally, we would say that Ireland has to offer a lot more to those curious about its nature, landscape, and history. We do not rank the destinations mentioned above as each one is unique on its own. If your vacation is longer, we could suggest a few more places to go, like Powerscourt House and Gardens, Bunratty Castle, The Rock of Cashel, and the Dingle Peninsula. The Torc Waterfall in the Killarney National Park is also worth the effort! The Emerald Isle is a magical place not just because of the clever leprechauns’ lucky charms.