Ireland is home to a host of fantastic natural beauty and world-class attractions, some of which are better known than others, but all of which are well worth a visit.
Here are some of our top picks of Irish attractions that you need to put on your ‘to visit’ list for your next visit to the Emerald Isle. We have started with the capital and worked our way around the country.
In the East…
1916 was a monumental year as the Irish struggled for independence, and in 2016 the country celebrated the 100-year anniversary of the events that shaped what it is today.
The GPO was instrumental in these events and so it is fitting that this wonderful tourist experience is located here. At the GPO Witness History experience, located on O’Connell Street in Dublin city, you can discover the history of the Irish quest for independence, the people involved and the events that took place over that historic Easter week in 1916.
This attraction cannot be missed when you find yourself in Dublin! Guided tours are common among tourists when they visit Dublin as there is a variety of things to do there.
In the South…
The Dunbrody Famine Ship is a recreation of the type of famine ships that left Ireland during the 19th century heading for America with hundreds of starving Irish aboard.
The ship is moored in the port of New Ross and allows you take a step back in time and imagine what it was like for the natives who left these shores in their droves in search of a better life. You can take informative guided tours of the ship and explore this important part of Irish history.
As we move around the country, we arrive to the west coast of Ireland and find out what attractions are waiting there.
In the West…
The Wild Atlantic Way is a 2,500km stretch of coast road that runs along the entire western coast of Ireland. Along the Way, you can experience the rugged beauty that this part of the country has to offer as you take in Achill Island, Cliffs of Moher, Downpatrick Head, Keem Strand and Loop Head to name just a few.
Whether you decide to drive, cycle, walk or run it, the Wild Atlantic Way is not to be missed.
Heading further north, there are some more treasures to explore.
In the North…
Let’s start in the north of the country as the first Irish attraction that we highly recommend visiting is The Giant’s Causeway. This breath-taking tourist hotspot is located in Co. Antrim and is a geological masterpiece consisting of hexagonal basalt formations coming up out of the sea.
The area also boasts some of the most awe-inspiring natural scenery that you could ever imagine. It’s a wild and wonderful place, which perfectly mirrors the thrashing ocean surrounding it.
Finally, we move to the Midlands area of the country where we recommend you make time to visit the Tullamore Dew distillery.
In the Midlands…
Ireland is famous for a lot of things but one of our most well-known exports is our whiskey! Located in Tullamore, Co Offaly, this distillery boasts a visitor centre which allows you to learn about the history of the distillery, the processes used and, of course, a chance to experience the taste of Tullamore’s finest export .
This tourist attraction is one to make note of whether you are a whiskey lover or not!
No matter what corner of our country you spend time in; you are guaranteed to be just a short drive away from a fantastic Irish attraction that’s just waiting to be explored more.